So this is a picture of my current drive shaft and what has happen/went wrong.




What i need to know is how can i keep this from happening again? I just bought a used front drive shaft and i dont want this to happen to me again.

 

grease them !

 

That is it? nothing that i can buy or replace so it wont happen again?

 

im assuming your getting another shaft and installing new joints first

 

no i was just going to throw the d shaft on and run it????? i have never delt with this stuff before this is why i am asking....

 

If the U-Joints do not have any twisting free play in the bearing caps on the used shaft you bought, no need to replace the U-Joints, just grease them and install it.
Then when you change the oil, EVERYTIME get under it and grease everything, U-Joints, tie rod ends etc.
You also need to regrease everything after off road excursions that include water or mud it push any water might have gotten back out.