Tacoma center driveshaft boot torn. Causing rear end thud upon full stop/acceleration.

Hey guys, recently started feeling a thud in my rear ending when coming to a complete stop and when pulling away. I did a full suspension retorque with no help. I then inspected the driveline finding the boot that covers the axle spline shaft to be sliced open by the heat shield on my gas tank which was bent somehow (I wheel regularly) and allowed water to enter the spline. The spline itself slides as the rear axle goes through its suspension travel letting the driveshaft get longer shorter etc. I have located the parts and am wondering shouldn’t this be a warranty issue as there is a design flaw in the shield that let it contact the boot allowing moisture and rust to form on the spline not allowing it to slide smoothly causing my thud.

 

How far away from the boot does the heat shield normally sit?

 

That's the second shield I've seen bent like that cutting into the boot.

 

It’s parallel w the side of the gas tank but the mount that holds it doesn’t attatch the front 2-3 inches so it bends very easy.

 

Someone on here had the exact same problem last week.

 

The boot was full of rusty water when I pulled it back

 

I think the thud isn’t from that, it might be from low transmission fluid

 

Sounds like it's being bent by brush. The photo makes it look like it sits higher than the drive shaft. Warranty or not, you might remove that section or it will happen again.

 

It’s from the spline not being able to slide back in when the rear lifts on breaking then comes back down with load on it causing a thud that feels like the rear axle is moving. I greased the spline in place and problem solved. Need to get a new boot and polish and grease the spline before reinstallation.

 

Plan on cutting 1 inch off the front

 

My shield did that. It's because you drove through standing water, with speed. It did it multiple times, until I cut it off.

 

The Riddler, is the member whom had the same problem. Anyone have this problem? Drive Shaft Bootie Cut in half! was his post.

 

i cut it off to the point where the shield widens up. Won't be an issue.

 

I wasn’t up to frame deep snow which I’m sure did it and then packed water into it lol. Shitty design

 

Short bed? Mine is solid axle at that point, the boot is further forward (long bed).

 

Really appreciated the photo! I was inclined to climb under and take a look this morning but forgot. I have a long bed so you just saved me the task.

 

Yeah u won’t have the problem

 

I'm always chasing that thud. Thanks for the heads up OP, I'll check mine out today.

As far as being a warranty issue, I doubt it.

 

I can't see how it's warranty. If one's wheeling takes them into terrain that can hit the the heat shields, I think they need to absorb that risk and subsequent damage; at least to inspect the vehicle afterwards.

 

Yea they will not cover that under warranty at all