Jinma 354 front driveshaft boot replacement…how to?

[DonRina]

While waiting for my brake parts to arrive I thought I should replace my front driveshaft boot which was quite rotted. I’ve removed the rear 13mm and front 10mm bolts which hold the driveshaft covers on but that doesn’t seem to give you any access to removing the two covers. So what are the next steps? Do you remove the four large front hanger bolts and then the bolts on the front transfer case? Not quite sure how much needs to be removed to get the shaft out.

 

[DonRina]

Well, no help for it so I just forged ahead any way. I levered the rear cone on the driveshaft so it exposed the four ball bearings and removed them using a magnetic pick-up tool. I then levered the front shaft from the ball bearings and then levered the shaft off. You just have to overcome the tensioning spring. After this the shaft covers are free to separate and install the new rubber sleeve. I soaked it in 303 to, hopefully, prevent premature rot. Installed the band clamps but left everything loose for tightening after the driveshaft was reinstalled. I heavily greased the front front axle receiver for the four balls and then installed the shaft and installed one of the 10mm bolts to hold it in place. I then levered the back of the shaft onto the rear receiver shaft, aka, middle transmission shaft. Once in place I levered the cone back and reinstalled the four ball bearings. Next I installed all the rest of the 10 and 13mm bolts, tightened up the band clamps and popped a beverage.

 

[piper184]

Don,
Thanks for following up with details and pictures. This is something I had no experience with so there was no advice to give.

Now this post will be helpful to all of us that will face this task some day in the future.

Well Done!