Seeking Driveshaft Leak Advice

[TheBandit]

Noticed a build up/splatter gearbox side of my passenger driveshaft.

Can't see any tears in the boot and it seems to coming out the side, down the shaft while splattering on the steering rack and frame. (Wheels at full lock to the right when image taken).

Metal clip isn't loose, can rotate it slightly but takes some force.

Have cleaned the area and will monitor over the next week.

To the more experienced does this look like a new boot and clip are required? Or should I be thinking about a new driveshaft?

 

[Flob]

I wouldn't fit a new shaft over that. If the shaft is in a good state or quiet with no slop.

I would buy a Renault boot kit, diligently re grease pack the joint and fit the new boot.

Most other boots seem to perish pretty quickly while the oem one is a long lived part.

You might even get away with re crimping the clip....

 

[avstar1]

The rubber boot might have slight cracks in it where the rubber has perished over the years. Mine had cracks in it and was similar but got progressively worse over time and started dripping onto the drive and therefore had to replaced the whole driveshaft. I would keep monitoring it, doesn't look too bad at the moment.

 

[avstar1]

I wouldn't fit a new shaft over that. If the shaft is in a good state or quiet with no slop.

I would buy a Renault boot kit, diligently re grease pack the joint and fit the new boot.

Most other boots seem to perish pretty quickly while the oem one is a long lived part.

You might even get away with re crimping the clip....

The boot in the picture is n/s gearbox side so will have gearbox oil in it which is leaking / seeping out somewhere on the boot /gaiter...

 

[Flob]

My bad, hadn't clocked that was gearbox side however you can buy just the boot from Renault I believe so you wouldn't have to replace the whole shaft.

Ignore my point about grease packing and sub in drain and refill gearbox fluid.

 

[clio tyres]

Fill it up with gearbox oil first to work out how much you have lost. If its not much just keep toping up.

 

[Flob]

Fill it up with gearbox oil first to work out how much you have lost. If its not much just keep toping up.

Or just fix the problem properly ya pikey 🤣

 

[avstar1]

Messy job and the gearbox oil stinks tho. Made a right mess of my drive.

 

[TheBandit]

Thank you for the advice everyone, priorities seem to be:

1) New metal clip + Keep box topped off and monitor
2) If it continues to leak (or more importantly if it gets worse over time) fit a new genuine Renault boot
3) Then if the new boot doesn't sort the issue replace the driveshaft

 

[Flob]

Messy job and the gearbox oil stinks tho. Made a right mess of my drive.

Im not just saying this to be smug, I am the guy that ALWAYS misses the tub when doing an oil change but I've had that shaft out recently and didn't make a mess at all.

Just drain the box first (obvs), and jack the car up on that side by a decent amount so any remaining oil is on the other side of the box and nothing will come out. Put shaft straight into a wadge of tissues and your golden.

I have a shaft somewhere which I can check but I believe the tripod comes off easily with a circlip(?) then fit new guff...

Sadly THIS has already sold but it has the part number on. Good chance the oiginal rubber was made by SASIC in which case THIS might be a cheap option if the full kit is NLA from Renault.

AutoDoc has a few to choose from, Meyle and SNR would likely be decent, the SNR comes with the bearing and plate too:

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/7701470566