is this bad?

[clintusaf]

noticed this today when i was under the truck removing one of my steps.

i did gear something the other day that went up into the wheel well when i was going down the road. notice the marks on my exhaust.

does this look like it's supposed to?

notice the zip ties?

 

[BIG JOE]

There's supposed to be a boot on there Clint. Probably dried up and flew off. Not a Big deal.. but should definetly be replaced. Keeps the grit & grime out of the spline/slip joint.

Joe

 

[BIG DUTY]

If it was held on with zip ties, I would suggest going back to the metal band clamps like it had from the factory. Could have been part of the problem.

 

[commanderjjones]

I've been using zipties on mine for a LONG time with no issues.....makes lubing easy. As mentioned below, it probably dry rotted and broke apart.......but I would still consider that to be odd because my truck has 315k and that has never been replaced. I might need to look at it's condition a little more closely the next time I lube the splines.

 

[jestersv]

looks like it hit the pipe as it flopped around on its exit

 

[NevrKnow]

There's supposed to be a boot on there Clint. Probably dried up and flew off. Not a Big deal.. but should definetly be replaced. Keeps the grit & grime out of the spline/slip joint.

Joe

That just gives you a good excuse to grease up the splines while your at it. Could be GOD looking out for you! ( Least that's the way I look at finding things like that).

 

[clintusaf]

just ordered the replacement part from the dealer. $26.00. I'll post the part # when it gets in.

How often do the splines need to be lubed? and what exactly do i lube it with?

 

[BIG JOE]

Depends on use. 4 wheel'n, towing and so on. Some trucks come with a zerk, on the yoke shaft. Mine didn't so I check it when I greaze the U-joints ? (3-4 times a year) Or.. when I've been towing allot.. more often.

I use a Marine grade (Blue) bearing grease on mine, but some use Lubri-Plate, wheel bearing grease ?

Joe

 

[JLDickmon]

Depends on use. 4 wheel'n, towing and so on. Some trucks come with a zerk, on the yoke shaft. Mine didn't so I check it when I greaze the U-joints ? (3-4 times a year) Or.. when I've been towing allot.. more often.

I use a Marine grade (Blue) bearing grease on mine, but some use Lubri-Plate, wheel bearing grease ?

Joe

just for the record, Lubri-Plate is engine assembly grease, and I swear by it...

 

[BIG DUTY]

Synthetic Lubricants, Food Machinery Lubricants, Industrial Oils and Greases - Lubriplate

They make alot more than just assembly lube.

Im glad you got the part ordered. I had to replace mine this year as well. It was split down the molding seam. Not a hard job if your u joint cap screws arent siezed. I would shoot them with some oil a couple days before.