[ealex]

Greetings,

I'm rebuilding my front driveshaft on my 2000 D2 with 127k miles, and have the double cardan joint apart. The rubber dust seal in the joint has dried out, and cracked through. It clearly needs to be replaced. However, regular parts places don't seem to list it. Here's the seal I'm talking about:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-zAub3hnM45Wm1pb05rSWMxS1k/edit?usp=sharing

I've seen several forum posts without a definitive answer. Ideas?

Thanks a lot ahead of time.

 

[Disco Mike]

I bought one a couple of years ago at Advanced. Make sure you replace the centering ball also.

 

[ealex]

Thanks Mike. I have new u-joints and centering kit. Do you by chance recall what the piece is called? Searches for dust seal, boot, etc don't get any results online. Did you just come in and have them look for a replacement?

 

[ealex]

The dealer in San Jose has one for $38.xx, so I'm going with that to get the truck back on the road. For future wrenchers, research points to: http://www.quad4x4.com/product/40704/QU40704-CV-BALL-SEAL. It is the seal used in 1996 RAM 1500 which uses the same centering kit, making it very likely that the dust seal/boot is the same.

 

[helievacpilot]

The dealer in San Jose has one for $38.xx, so I'm going with that to get the truck back on the road. For future wrenchers, research points to: http://www.quad4x4.com/product/40704/QU40704-CV-BALL-SEAL. It is the seal used in 1996 RAM 1500 which uses the same centering kit, making it very likely that the dust seal/boot is the same.

Just did mine a couple of months ago. Seal is not the same. I searched my balls off and never found a factory replacement. The one you found is the one I used. Unfortunately, it's only a snug fit at best. I had a really good welder tack it on in two spots. Worked great, but really had to work at keeping the heat from damaging the rubber. Good luck.

 

[ealex]

This was my solution: 4 coats of plasti-dip. The seal was cracked, so I figured that as long as I can preserve its shape, and seal the cracks, it ought to hold.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-zAub3hnM45ck50ZjVzMldBY2s/edit

 

[helievacpilot]

This was my solution: 4 coats of plasti-dip. The seal was cracked, so I figured that as long as I can preserve its shape, and seal the cracks, it ought to hold.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-zAub3hnM45ck50ZjVzMldBY2s/edit

I'm a big fan of Plasti-Dip, but that seal is operating in a pretty harsh environment. I doubt it will last. If your going that route, try liquid electrical tape (Home Depot, Lowes). I've found it's a lot tougher than Plasti-Dip, although it's brush on, so not as pretty, but who cares for that application?

 

[ealex]

I'll definitely keep an eye on it, and if it goes, will try the liquid electrical tape. I had no idea such a thing existed. Thanks a lot Mike!