OK... So while I was having the front driveshaft on my 2000 Disco II rebuilt, the guys at the shop (Universal Products) indicated that they thought that part of the problem with the Disco II driveshafts was caused by the fact that the condensation drain for the air conditioning system drops water right on the driveshaft.

I checked, while the shaft was out and they are correct... It drops condensation right on the shaft...

Have any of you made a shield to keep that drain from dropping water on the driveshaft? If so, have you noticed any increase in the life of the u-joints?

Seems as though there is an easy mounting location to do this, so I think I'll fab up a stainless steel guard and give it a try... Can't hurt, I suppose, and may just help...

Seems like if a solution was this easy, someone would have thought of it long before now and it would have been incorporated into the design, or an aftermarket solution would be readily available...

Jeff

 

The u joints fail from the heat from the cats. It dries out the grease in the non-servicable joints and there is not way to add new grease. The a/c drain has little effect on it. U-joints are made to get wet.

If you are wanting to fab something, build a safety ring around the driveshaft so if it fails, it won't slap the tranny out. If you have not re-built your front shaft, I would do so ASAP.

 

You might want to double-check this, but I believe redirecting the condensation drain was a service recall...? I remember hearing this somewhere. I would call a dealership with your VIN to see if recalls have been taken care of.

 

After constant issues with a wet passenger floorboard I was cleaning out the drain line when the tip popped off and fell on the ground. While cleaning out all the gunk in it I noticed that it was still solid. The flaps had never been cut open. Can't tell you how many times I have cleaned this out. Who would have thought to check for this issue?