Ring of something on the front axle

[scrounger]

My car has had a clunk for a long time. I blamed a lot of things but to no avail.

I developed a fuel leak and started looking under it and found this big ring floating all over the right axle. Both rubber boots seem intact.
I can slide and move it.

First, what is it?
Can I just cut it off?


I'd post here more but my car usually just does fine.
Thanks in advance if you can help me.

[the caveman]

Cut it off, It was installed on the r/s drive shaft to balance or dampen it[ been a while, i don't remember]. Used to take them off once they broke, with nobody noticing any difference, except there wasn't an annoying noise

[scrounger]

Thanks caveman.  After looking at it it looks like the only practical solution. I bet the rattle I have been hearing for 3 years is that.

[burn_your_money]

What is all that red stuff?

Your inner tie rod boot is torn...

Like Caveman said, just cut it off.

[scrounger]

Re: Red Stuff
Thanks, will look at the inner boot again.

[TylerDurden]

I'm thinkin the red stuff is dissolved rubber from the damper.

[scrounger]

I went and looked under it again since last note. Both boots were intact. It seems to be a red grease, sounds like the material has come from the damper thingie. Parts of it were obviously missing as it was rattling around on the shaft.

Worth looking at though.

As usual the hounds at GTD forum know their stuff.
Thanks.