U joint Zerks MIA?

While up to change my oil last weekend, I grabbed my grease gun and THOUGHT I was going to hit my U joints... but no zerks on any of the u joints. Is this normal for my 2WD 2013 Taco or an I just getting too old to see them?

 

they are there.... they are all going to be in a line on one of the 4 u joint caps.

 

Pre-runners don't have the zerks. Only the 4x4's do

 

either 07 or 09 (i always forget) prerunners got zerk fittings also.

 

My 2012 does.

This. ^^^

 

Vote still seems to be out... But I did not find any on my 2013 (2WD) Pre-Runner.

 

From what I've seen first hand with different manufacturers, they are not installing zerk fittings in any of the suspension components.

My 2006 4x4 has zerks in the u-joint caps.

 

They should be up in the center of the U joint where the four pieces come together. They are not always on the end caps.

Some pictures:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/330420-someone-teach-me-how-zerk-6.html

 

X2 ^ I wish they would of put them on the prerunners !!

 

I did get back under my 2013 2WD Prerunner and it absolutely does not have zerks. I spun the shaft all the way around... none... nadda... zip.

 

id suggest you guys take another look at all 4 of the end caps of each u joint. and actually feel them... there should be the zerk nipple on one of them.

 

Easy to check... but my 4-runner had the holes BUT you had to add your own zerks. Will manually spin and look, but I'm 100% sure, not zerks now.

 

All I can say is at least my 2012 Prerunner has zerk fittings in the U Joints.

 

2014 prerunner .. no zerks, just checked.

 

And I can say my 2012 4L prerunner does not; built mid-Dec 2011.
Must be a production variation/change.
I've heard if the propeller shaft replacement T-SB is performed, the new replacement one will have them.

 

Right from the manual...

Chassis lubrication - Propeller shafts Spider (4WD models and PreRunner with 2.7L 4-cylinder [2TR-FE] engine only)

So my 6 cylinder does NOT have zerk fittings and that SUXS.

 

Well that covers that. Mine is a Prerunner, 2.7 4 Cylinder.

Another plus for the four bangers.

 

So the T-SB for the clunk-thunk is starting to make sense...maybe we're a victim of accelerated wear w/o grease??? Depending upon the factory assembly for the ds, after installing bearing caps, there's no way to be certain they're packed with grease w/o fittings-could be almost dry at delivery.

Anyway; I'm getting in line for a new drive shaft as I get that sensation; only problem is making sure it miss-behaves ... at the dealer... Got until 5/60k mi.