3.0r-b drive shaft replacement?

[patrickbateman]

Hi, just hoping to get some idea of what I am dealing with here.

Just got back from a nice drive in the country, only to pull up at the lights in town to be met with a horrible smell and smoke wafting out of the engine bay.

After pulling over (and making sure the car wasn't actually on fire) I could see a reasonable amount of oil or grease had dripped/sprayed onto various hot bits of engine behind the block.

A visit from the RAA confirmed that the front left drive shaft appears to have split and started dropping grease/lubricant onto the exhaust.

So a few Qs if anyone has had a similar experience:

1. The car is tuned but has only done about 130k kms, is a drive shaft failure reasonably normal at this sort of mileage?

2. Why do these things happen 2 days before Christmas?

3. If I clean this crap off the exhaust etc, is it safe to drive across town (say, 15km) to my mechanic (S&J in Adelaide)?

4. Any idea what the likely $$ damage is going to be for a replacement/repair? (I'm assuming replacement from what I've read).

5. Would you expect that the grease burning/smoking would produce a smell similar to the smell of a clutch being abused? During the drive we stopped at one point and there was a noticeably 'clutchy' smell (at least... it's smelt like my old Galant used to smell when the clutch was used... adventurously). Seriously do not want to do a clutch at the same time.

[Kekotic]

1. The car is tuned but has only done about 130k kms, is a drive shaft failure reasonably normal at this sort of mileage?

You might only need a replacement boot. They are prone to tearing.

2. Why do these things happen 2 days before Christmas?

Because you touch yourself at night.

3. If I clean this crap off the exhaust etc, is it safe to drive across town (say, 15km) to my mechanic (S&J in Adelaide)?

Duct Tape up the split and yes.

4. Any idea what the likely $$ damage is going to be for a replacement/repair? (I'm assuming replacement from what I've read).

If it's just a split boot, cheap.

5. Would you expect that the grease burning/smoking would produce a smell similar to the smell of a clutch being abused? During the drive we stopped at one point and there was a noticeably 'clutchy' smell (at least... it's smelt like my old Galant used to smell when the clutch was used... adventurously). Seriously do not want to do a clutch at the same time.

Yes

[Ric]

If one went, the other side will go shortly.
See the answer from Dropz in my topic here: viewtopic.php?p=293194#p293194
(Read both pages, there's probably some good info in there for you)

I think you have to take the whole thing out to get the boot off, at which point it's often easier just to drop a swapover reco one in instead.

[BillyCorgi]

Sound like only the boot has failed.

After 130,000 kms to have a boot rupture is good going.
They only cost about $15.00. They are cheap and plentiful.

Usually it is the inboard boots that fail first as they sit about the exhaust headers.
I have replaced two on son's Outback.

1. The car is tuned but has only done about 130k kms, is a drive shaft failure reasonably normal at this sort of mileage?
Can happen at anytime above 100,000 kms

2. Why do these things happen 2 days before Christmas?
Sorry, that's life

3. If I clean this crap off the exhaust etc, is it safe to drive across town (say, 15km) to my mechanic (S&J in Adelaide)?
You will be cleaning a lot of crap, the grease sprays everywhere.
Yes, safe, but stay out of the wet and rain.

4. Any idea what the likely $$ damage is going to be for a replacement/repair? (I'm assuming replacement from what I've read).
Part is about $20.00 for the boot (paying workshop prices plus you will need a new locknut on the shaft and circlip either end of the shaft.
Labour = about an hour

5. Would you expect that the grease burning/smoking would produce a smell similar to the smell of a clutch being abused? During the drive we stopped at one point and there was a noticeably 'clutchy' smell (at least... it's smelt like my old Galant used to smell when the clutch was used... adventurously). Seriously do not want to do a clutch at the same time.
Don't you just love the smell of the Moly Di Sulphide grease on a hot exhaust?
It stinks, doesn't it!

Why not go buy some boots and do it yourself. It is not the cleanest job to do but never deny yourself the learning and growth experience?
Cheers!

[Kekotic]

2. Why do these things happen 2 days before Christmas?

2. Sorry, that's life

Would you like to back up this statement with facts?

Because I have it on good authority that this is caused by touching oneself at night.

Jokes aside, you said a lot of stuff that I said (from reading these forums) but with more information. Case solved, good job.

TL;DR - OP replace your boots, they are shit and people tear them all the time.

[BillyCorgi]

Just a thought?
What do I have to touch and at what time of the day for one of your boots to burst? LOL
Have a Happy New Year!

[jbrizz]

Might be worth sourcing quality boots. In the past I've had CV boots replaced only for them to fail again in less than 10,000km (both of them). Genuine ones are expensive for a piece of rubber but so is the cost of labour to get them done twice.