Author Topic: Trouble! Found My Driveshaft Boot Clamp Off and Water Insid (Read 806 times)

Dave1 · « **on:** August 08, 2005, 02:05:59 AM »

I took my 2004 Yamaha Big Bear 400 4WD to my hunt lease this weekend. During the ride I had to run through some very low areas in the old woods roads that were filled with water. Late in the day when I went to load the scooter up I noticed that the clamp that seals the drive shaft rubber boot to the back of the engine case was off. I pried the bottom of the boot loose and some water ran out. Not alot of water ran out but it was obvious there had been water in there. It could have been full and ran out before I noticed it.

I am very disappointed this clamp was left off. I had to loosen it alot to get it back on so I doubt it could have come off by itself. The scooter only has about 500 miles on it and has been to the dealer once for the scheduled first service. Would they have had the clamp and boot off for any reason during the service?

My question now is, if the boot area did leak water when I ran thru the 12"-16" of water during the day, what is the likely damage that could occur? If a significant amount of water did leak inside the boot, could it have gone into the rear end or engine compartment? What steps should I take now to make sure all water and moisture is out and minimize any damage, rust, corrosion, etc.?

Thanks for any info.

Dave
davisalf@aol.com

BuckTrucker · « **Reply #1 on:** August 08, 2005, 02:52:14 AM »

The absolute first thing you might want to do until you can determine the right inspection procedures and course of action is to liberally spray WD-40 inside the shaft area protected by the boot. WD40 displaces water and will coat the metal well enough to prevent corrosion from starting until you begin the remedy for this.

Good luck Dave.

BT

Dave1 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 08, 2005, 07:10:30 AM »

I called my local Yamaha dealer this morning and the service manager didn't act like he knew alot about it and could only provide generic answers.

I am sure that I need to talk to a mechanic but thought I might get the attention here of someone that has the knowledge or has had this experience already and could provide some info.

Tonight I am going to check the crankcase oil and rear end differential oil. I will likely change both whether I see any sign of moisture or not. May also peel the boot back, see what the inside looks like, and clean/dry best I can.

Dave

markc · « **Reply #3 on:** August 11, 2005, 07:32:28 AM »

What was the condition of the rubber cover? It is a rubber cover isn't it? Like a CV joint cover? I'm thinking that a change of all oils and fluids will probably be sufficient, but stop by the dealership soon and question the mechanics. You can show them what you mean on a quad at the shop. That way, if it is no big deal then you won't need to haul yours down there.

Dave1 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 15, 2005, 01:45:00 AM »

Yes, it is the rubber "boot" that covers the front of the rear driveshaft where the drive shaft connects via u-joint to the shaft coming out of the engine case.

The boot is fine and appears to be undamaged. The large hose type clamp that secured it tight to the engine case was loose and the clamp was not even in the groove on the boot and was hanging further down on the boot. This allowed the front of the boot to be somewhat loose on the engine case which allowed water to get inside the boot when I ran thru some deeper holes.

Dave1

flintlock · « **Reply #5 on:** August 15, 2005, 06:41:10 AM »

Dave...What you are discribing sounds like a dust boot...it keeps dirt out of the u-joint....I bet there is a seal in the engine casing to keep oil in and water out...Seals are designed to keep fliuds in or out....boots are just for dirt...If you drain the oil and it is white or "milky" then you have water in the engine...Good luck

Dave1 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 15, 2005, 10:10:54 AM »

You are probably correct. It may be called a Dust Boot but it is designed to keep water out also. It made me very nervous when I saw the boot clamp dislodged and water poured out of that boot.

I dried it all out. All the fluids looked good but I changed the rear end gear oil anyhow.

Dave

old geezer · « **Reply #7 on:** August 15, 2005, 12:14:08 PM »

The dust boot is designed to keep dirt from contaminating the grease around the u-joints. It will stop most water from entering, but not all. There are seals on the differential and engine case to keep fluids where they belong. I'd be more concerned about getting mud or sand into the u-joints.

Dave1 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 16, 2005, 12:50:29 AM »

When I rode thru some areas with lots of deep (12"-16") standing water and with the boot clamp knocked off, some water did invade inside the boot and u-joint area. I don't know how much as most of it probably leaked out the same way it got in before I noticed the situation. I found a small amount of sand accumalated in the very bottom of the boot but there was not much. I cleaned it all out best I could.

Are the bearing cups on the u-joints sealed? Is there a grease fitting on the u-joints whereas they can be greased and possibly drive out any water that may have got into the bearing cups?

I don't think I have any immediate damage from the water intrusion but the long term damage may be pre-mature engine seal or rear differential seal or u-joint failure if water/sand did get into those areas or the bearing cups.

Dave