My drive shaft (and also the front one) are completely covered in rust. Is this a common problem? Will this be a major issue going forward? Can I clean off the rust or replace both shafts? Anyone else with this issue?

 

Its fairly common in area where there is alot of moisture and salt. The driveshafts are fairly thick metal so no worries of rusting through. The best way to clean the rust is to just pressure wash it off the shafts. You don't ant to go messing around with grinders and such as you may mess with the weight distribution of the shaft rotation. I would just keep washing the shaft, there should be no reason to replace with this new of a truck.

 

I use Ospho or LPS-3 rust inhibitor on anything under my truck including fresh welds on my exhaust. Once you have killed the rust I would spray it with a good paint to try to prevent it again.

 

yeah ive got surface rust on mine too. we get a ton of moisture and the dot thinks it neccesary to put a thousand gallons of salt and sand down whenever it snows a half inch. im not too worried about it.
my gpas 2004 gmc 2500hd driveshaft looks brand new even though its got 150000 miles on her.

 

"Naval Jelly" works really good too. Rub that $hit on there good,lol. They call it Naval Jelly b/c.......The Navy used in in WWII for the undersides of ships and other components of the ship....Little "Factoide" for all yall