Torn front drive shaft boot

[DGG]

How would something like this happen? It's the front drive shaft of my series II. It looks like each end turned in different directions and ripped the boot.

[cedryck]

Looks like the boot rubber may have disintegrated from saturation of bearing grease? Is the U-joint OK?

[DGG]

U-joints are ok. Could this have been pulled apart? Maybe if the truck was on a lift for a long time with the wheels hanging?

[lumpydog]

It looks like the tear lines up like a puzzle on each side - so not likely a torsion/twist related failure.

It could be pulled apart - that joint that it covers allows the shaft to expand.

Agree, it may be that it was attacked by the oil/petroleum that it is exposed to during oil changes.

When replacing, make sure the hose clamp screws are on opposite sides at each end to maintain shaft balance.

[DGG]

Thanks, will do.

[lumpydog]

One other thing - when replacing the boot, mark the prop shaft on both sides with a line - that aligns on both sides. You have to pull the shaft into two parts to get the new boot on. You want it to go back together the exact same way/orientation - because it was balanced at the factory.

[DGG]

Do I need to put any grease in the boot before installing?