New owner - 2013 GE - Advice on driveshaft dampers?

[DaveJazz13]

Hi all,

I’ve recently picked up a 2013 Jazz GE and I’ve been really struck by how it drives. There’s something about the way it's put together, it just feels so solid and dependable. It’s actually quite a relief to drive something where I don’t have that constant "background worry" that something is about to fail or break down.

Because I’m so impressed with it, I’m planning on keeping this one for the very long haul. I’ve been reading up on preventative maintenance and the "driveshaft damper" issue keeps coming up.

From what I’ve gathered, these rubber rings can trap road salt and moisture, causing the shaft to rot and eventually snap. Is it generally recommended by the members here to cut these off as a precaution?

I’d much rather spend an hour under the car now than be stranded on the side of the road later! If it is a "must-do," are there any specific tips for removing them safely without nicking the shaft?

Cheers,

DaveJazz13

[Keekster71]

I wouldn't remove them, they are there for a reason.  If the drive shaft is rusty I would rub it down and pay it, so it lasts longer. If it breaks, its not an expensive job to replace.

[Lord Voltermore]

IMO the driveshafts sometimes snap  , NOT due to rusting, but because Honda have deliberately designed a weak spot in the  shaft  .  Some rusting   might be found when a broken shaft is  examined , but I dont think it will have materially affected the strength of the shaft. (But I admit I have never examined one  personally)

Power delivery  to the wheels is under a lot of torque  (twisting energy) . This is greatly increased in some circumstances  such as driving off at a sharp angle, with most of the engine power is concentrated on one side only  , or if you drive off a raised kerb.  Here one wheel  will be airborn for a short time  and free to spin more rapidly.  When this wheel lands back on the road its rapid spinning is brought to a sudden halt. Imagine trying to stop a heavy spinning flywheel instantly by poking a stick in a spoke. Somethings going to snap.   
  Its better that the first  thing to snap  will a drive shaft  thats relatively cheap and easy to fix  than    a gearwheel etc deep inside the gearbox or  differential.

I'd leave the damper well alone. Or wash the mud and salt off every now and again. (And avoid rapid acceleration in the circumstances above)

[DaveJazz13]

Research.

[aphybrid]

Any benefit from spraying WD40to penetrate/protect between shaft and damper?

[Keekster71]

Any benefit from spraying WD40to penetrate/protect between shaft and damper?

I think a thin oil like WD40 would probably spray off.  My preference is to paint it when the original coating fails, as it always does with time.