Prepare to get new driveshaft if...

[Rustam]

... if TWO things:

1)you neglect a windshield leak right above the transmission shifter, from the whereabouts of the small lid overhead, at the dome light switches and moonroof control. The leak drips down right into the transmission shifter mechanism, and from there water goes down onto the front ujoint. It will rust very soon.

2)So, avoid placing cups of drinks on that broad panel around the shifter as well. Any liquid spilled on it is a potential rusting failure of the front ujoint.

NORMALLY, under the transmission shifter, there is a protective rubber cup. Inspect it for cracks from heat.

[genphreak]

That's plain weird, I've never seen the rubber crack up. Maybe coffee rusts metal more than we think. Thanks!

[Rustam]

That's plain weird, I've never seen the rubber crack up. Maybe coffee rusts metal more than we think. Thanks!

Yes, very weird. Dont know why that rubber cup was cracked. I figured because of the exhaust pipe heat.

[Rustam]

That's plain weird, I've never seen the rubber crack up. Maybe coffee rusts metal more than we think. Thanks!

Before my driveshaft problem at the front joint, I toppled a cup spilling into the shifter. I had no clue this may affect things, neither did I know that cup was cracked. A couple of months later the ujoint was bad. So definitely inspect the environment under the shifter.

[genphreak]

Maybe the PO just spilled enough (liquid) coke there to eat away at the boot

[Rustam]

Maybe the PO just spilled enough (liquid) coke there to eat away at the boot

yeah, why not