I'm currently replacing a torn rubber boot over the lobro joint of the driveshaft. While cleaning it, I noticed some wear where the bearings roll over. Running my finger over it, I can feel a very slight indentation where the metal is polished, but nothing sharp. Is this acceptable wear?






Some other pics:

 

Questions concerning obtaining parts for the lobro joint have come up before. The information I obtained was that only the entire driveshaft was available from Mitsubishi. From your package of ***** it looks like you may have discovered a source. Care to disclose?

 

Those bearings are my oem ones, cleaned. I took it apart to determine whether I just needed a boot or the entire lobro joint.

The boot is part# MB837582.
http://www.streettunedmotorsports.co...t_mb837572.htm

The lobro joint kit is part# 3405A010.
http://www.mitsubishipartswarehouse....bishi/3405a010
and here:
http://www.lancershop.com/customer/p...2&cat=0&page=1

 

I never knew. Sure beats buying a new shaft. You do know the boot can be cut if the shaft is not kept straight when off the car?

The FSM says check for smooth operation - whatever that means, hah, I guess I would check for excessive play.

 

With a dry assembly, I could not detect any play, but that's by hand.

 

I checked the measurements of each bearing across 3 axes. They were all exactly 0.75".







Unless you guys have any other 'gotchas', then I'll just order a new boot, repack the grease, and call it a day.

 

Sure looks pretty all cleaned up.

 

Put the shaft together dry, if you cant feel play, it's fine.

 

Got some time today to re-assemble everything together. There was no play in the lobro joint whatsoever. There's a lot of play in the center and rear diff though, when I rotated the shaft back and forth on the car. So I'm not so sure how these guys who buy a 1 or 2 piece driveshaft claim the slack is removed in doing so.

Anyways, I know you guys like pics, so enjoy. If anyone wants a how-to, I've documented this pretty well. Just ping me.

 

I've probably read more Evo and DSM threads that anyone else on the planet but I have never encountered a thread were the OP needed a new Lobro joint. I've seen a few threads where the boot was cut. So, maybe a how-to on replacing the boot would be useful.

What I can't take my eyes off of is the paint job on your car. It is looking good!

 

The slack removed by going to a 1 or 2 piece driveshaft is due to reducing the number of carrier bearings. They are rubber mounted and do introduce slop.

 

I think when someone needed to service that joint, they typically went with a new 1 or 2-piece driveshaft instead. For me, I don't foresee another competitive run at the championships, so no need to spend money unnecessarily on buying one. I'll post a how-to this weekend.

If you like that red color, you'll definitely like this 360. Only clean red cars allowed in my garage

 

Those rubber mounted pieces (mitsubishi calls the center bearing assemblies), are there to dampen lateral/axial movement of the driveshaft, but not rotational movement, right? So correct me if I'm wrong, but there shouldn't be slack, or driving delays coming from those pieces as the car drives off?

 

I don't think you drive, you must just go out to the garage and stare. This gonna break you heart but my Evo has never been waxed and I bought new in January 2004. It has that dull finish look that was popular several years ago at the car shows. Looking at your cars may induce me to buy some wax.

 

Correct, but the shaft moves before it starts rotating over and compresses the rubber. Basically anything in the driveline that isn't solid mounted is a source of slop.