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What to do about rusty drive shaft??

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by MoonCrawler, Jun 30, 2014.

  1. Jun 30, 2014 at 11:13 PM
    #1
    MoonCrawler

    MoonCrawler [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Part of the front driveshaft on my 2003 is pretty rusty. I'm not sure what the part is called. What do I do about it? Sand it? Grease it? God forbid, replace it? Seems like it sat for awhile and accrued the rust. Wants to be able to slide but probably can't because of rust. The rest of the drive shaft it okay. Just this part

    IMG_2181.jpg

    IMG_2177.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2014
  2. Jun 30, 2014 at 11:39 PM
    #2
    Spoonman

    Spoonman Granite Guru

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    You're worried about that?



    Paint over it. That's just very minor surfce rust..
     
  3. Jun 30, 2014 at 11:42 PM
    #3
    Smar969905

    Smar969905 ToyotaLover

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    Mix some ATF with acetone in equal parts in a spray bottle and spray it on. That will help break anything loose that is rusted.
     
  4. Jul 1, 2014 at 12:10 AM
    #4
    MoonCrawler

    MoonCrawler [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The rusted shaft on the right is meant to slide into the sleeve on the left. However, it can't because of the rust. It's not a painted part. It's supposed to be clean steel.
     
  5. Jul 1, 2014 at 12:43 AM
    #5
    MoonCrawler

    MoonCrawler [OP] Well-Known Member

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    At least that's how it looks to me. The circled part in the pic below is free of rust and paint and is greased. The grease ends where the rust begins. It looks like the rust is preventing further insertion, but maybe it's already as far in as it goes? And the rusted part never enters anyways???

    IMG_2181.jpg
     
  6. Jul 1, 2014 at 1:29 AM
    #6
    MoonCrawler

    MoonCrawler [OP] Well-Known Member

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    after spraying, scrub? wipe? rinse?
     
  7. Jul 1, 2014 at 4:21 AM
    #7
    slander

    slander Honorary Crawl Boi

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    Its IFS that shaft moves about as much as your frame flex's. Do not even remotely worry about that.
     
  8. Jul 1, 2014 at 5:32 AM
    #8
    RAT PRODUCTS

    RAT PRODUCTS Well-Known Member

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    The drive shaft doesn't need to go any further in than that. If it did there wouldn't be rust.
     
  9. Jul 1, 2014 at 10:04 AM
    #9
    Smar969905

    Smar969905 ToyotaLover

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    Spray on but not onto rubber parts. Leave it.
     
  10. Jul 1, 2014 at 10:11 AM
    #10
    MoonCrawler

    MoonCrawler [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Roger that. I thought maybe the opposite had occurred. Lack of movement (from sitting) had allowed the rust to occur.

    So then, after removing rust can that part be painted? Or should I just leave it?
     
  11. Jul 1, 2014 at 10:13 AM
    #11
    Smar969905

    Smar969905 ToyotaLover

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    If you are actually concerned, clean it up with sand paper, metal brush, or whatever you like, don't use the ATF/acetone, because that will be more cleanup, then get a rattle can of rustoleum, and a large-ish piece of cardboard to hold behind the shaft and paint the thing.
     
  12. Jul 1, 2014 at 10:28 AM
    #12
    dispatch55126

    dispatch55126 Well-Known Member

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    I wouldn't worry about it. The rust isn't going to seize anything and unless you plan on rolling your truck, no one will see it anyways.
     
  13. Jul 1, 2014 at 12:07 PM
    #13
    vanhornsky

    vanhornsky Active Member

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    Clean it up and paint it. If the shaft needs to move into that zone it will. Paint will prevent it from rusting more/ again.
     
  14. Jul 1, 2014 at 5:02 PM
    #14
    ARB1977

    ARB1977 It’s a beaut Clark

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    You gotta lube your shaft every once in a while.
     
  15. Jul 2, 2014 at 6:17 AM
    #15
    Andy.G

    Andy.G Well-Known Member

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    Rock on and forget you saw it.haha
     
  16. Jul 2, 2014 at 10:03 AM
    #16
    MoonCrawler

    MoonCrawler [OP] Well-Known Member

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    oh yeah.

    I'll paint it when I do the rest of the undercarriage. I just wasn't sure about it. This particular Tacoma has a little more pronounced axle wrap/yoke binding than the others I've owned. So when I was under it and checking things out, and saw that rusty part, I thought: well, of course shit's going to bind if its all rusted up like that. And it looked to me like it was supposed to be able to slide in further, but I guess not.

    Surprisingly, there is very little rust anywhere else on the truck. That's the only place that's even that bad. Shackles, gas tank, axles, etc., all look really good.
     

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