[momule]

The "truck" is a 95 ZJ 5.2 Quadratrack Limited and it has a ripped front driveshaft CV boot. Dealer says they have to replace the whole driveshaft at a cost to me of $750.00 for the whole thing (assuming replacement from x-fer case to front diff). Looked into a duct tape fix but that was a no-go due to old grease leaking all over from the ripped boot. :???: Looking at it it seems to me that the assembly that included the boot will come off the drive shaft and that with a little elbow grease I could do this myself. This vehicle will not be a huge off roader nor do I want to build it......I just want it to run and not fall apart on me. Right now the CV joint is not holding grease due to the ripped boot.
Any advice would be hugely appreciated. By the way, I was hugely disappointed in the failure of the duct tape option.....

 

[bchcky]

first off, don't buy these parts from the stealership. i got quoted upwards of 900 bucks for one before too, thinking i could just get the part from there and do it myself. they tell you its out of production and thats why they cant get it for you cheaper. you could try a junkyard, but you have to look at the jeep and make sure the yokes are the same, so ideally you'd want one from same year, and also match up the t-case (249 if you have the quadratrack).

other option, www.jwjeep.com i've used them before for parts, prices are alright, much better than stealership prices. its basically a jeep boneyard out in california. you can either call them for a quote or if you're not in a rush you can fill out the request on their website and they'll email you back within a few days.

other option, but probably not your best one, you could take out the front shaft for a bit until you come across a good deal. but i've heard negative things about driving around with no front shaft with a 249 t-case. so make sure that is the case you have, and then probably just dont listen to me. i guess it wears out the viscous coupling, so i hear. good luck.

 

[momule]

Thanks for your reply. Fortunately I believe I've caught this in time to afford to look around for the least expensive and best fix as there is not yet noise or other signs of the CV joint going out on me. I do realize that the least expensive fix isn't necessarily the best one so I'm also going to be saving the money as well....
Thanks again !!!

 

[wildabeast4]

i had two of these rip on me at the same time. it sucks, but it cost me only about 500 bucks to replace both with a local mechanic...dont let the dealerhsip rip you off.

P.S.- make sure you get the broke one fixed, or eventually it will start to pull to one side and rip th eother one.

 

[bchcky]

wait, you paid 500 bucks to replaces two cv boots?!?!?!

 

[momule]

Bchcky, so, it seems that 750 for a new driveshaft is too much to replace the CV boot and 500 for two is too much. I need some help that is actually helpful here. Buying a used one from a junkyard will get me a heat stressed used one (rubber boot that is and especially from a bone yard in California desert) that will be a pain in the ass to install and won't be much of an improvement.
Looks like I might have to buy a dealer part and install it myself in order to keep costs down......or just suck it in and pay dealership prices...
Anyone out there with a better suggestion would be greatly appreciated!!!!

 

[bchcky]

well, it is simply my opinion that $500 and $900 is too much. I wouldn't pay that myself, but you're welcome too. it is just my opinion.

in order for us to help you, you gotta give us specifics, because all driveshafts are not the same. do you for sure have the 249 t-case? you're not supposed to drive that without a front shaft, but you could in a pinch for a little bit. some options you have would be to do a 231 swap, or grab some yokes off of an XJ and pull a slip shaft. my ZJ is actually running an XJ 231 transfer case, front slip driveshaft, and front d30 yoke. there are a ton of options, and many are under $500.

 

[momule]

Thanks for the info and sorry if I was getting "testy" about the whole thing. This is way more involved than building my old 87 Ford 4X4 PU.