Greasing Entire Drive Shaft U-Joints (5 Zerks Total)

Just did mine today. I only have 5 zerks also. No double cardon joint on mine (access cab). I'm still stumped as to why there's no slip yoke zerks. I've got rubber boots covering my slip joints....but still....??

I'm baffled by the 'thrust bushing' thing also. I called two different dealerships and they couldn't give me any information. I'm wondering if this is someting in the axle shafts? I could be barking up the wrong tree, but I'm determined to find out exactly what this is - whether its a misprint in the manual or what.

 

Great thread.

One thought. Many years ago a motorcycle dealer suggested that pumping grease into a Zerk until it comes out of the seal in fact opens the fitting to easy water/salt entry.

Assuming the seal is good, and the joint was properly greased at the factory, then a half shot of grease should be enough to keep the joints full and in contact with the grease.

I got 100,000 Km on a motorcycle wheel bearings and 190,000Km on a 1958 Chevrolet suspension with no problems and no excess grease. Especially nice not to have to periodically clean the grease from the motorcycle brake drums.

Anyone else tried this?

 

I just greased the zerks again. The three U-joints on the rear shaft took 3 full pumps of grease, on the fourth pump, the seal became displaced so I stopped. This was 5000 miles between greasing.

The front two u-joints are much smaller and have a different lighter grade of grease in them. The seals went instantly when I began pumping, I just kept at it and pumped until the new grease came out the seals. Cleaned it up with some paper towels. It took 30 minutes and I saved $90.00 from the stealers pocket.

 

That's really nice but motorcycles don't pull 6500 lbs of trailer plus 4000lbs of truck like the Taco does, all hanging on needle bearings around two spider stubs barely 3/4" dia.

If I'm towing like that, I'll make sure all the dirty grease is pushed out and do it frequently... so what if the shaft tunnel is coated with old grease...it just gives less area for rust to start!

I think his point is valid for things like ball joints and tie rod joints when they had zerks: filling them till the bellows burst was not a good idea and irked me no end when they did it during service.

 

I use Amsoil Heavy Duty #2 Grease on the whole driveshaft no problems at 120k miles on truck and helps eliminate the axle wrap clunk also for me.

 

Great write ups! makes it super easy to follow

 

Nice thread...you can grab the NLGI #2 grease, gun and coupler all at Walmart.

 

sub

 

is there a company which manufactures both moly & lithium greases?

Mobil 1 is lithium, but their tech support indicates that there is no moly grease in the Mobil line.

LPS Laboratories has ThermaPlex CS Moly #70814 & ThermaPlex Multi-purpose #70614.

would the LPS brand be satisfactory?

thanks

 

not sure why the write up only states 5/6 zerks? there are 8 on the 4x4 trucks

 

great write up I was just going to ask what a "Zerk" was...lol...mechanic I am not.

 

maybe double cabs it's 8, access cab there's 5

 

In case anyone reading this has trouble greasing the front zerks - I always did - the solution is to use a small one hand grease gun. You can easily push coupling on to the zerks. I always had a hard time getting coupling to lock on with the larger two handed gun - the grease always shot out around the zerk instead of going in it.

 

No vantaco is wrong if he is referring to 2nd Gen. There is only 5 zerks on 4x4. There are (3) on the rear drive shaft and (2) on the front. It does not matter if its access or double cab.

 

Appreciate this thread - made the work quick and easy.

 

Time for me to get some grease cause I doubt Toyota Care is doing it. I have to go in for 15k service (last one) and I'll ask about it.

 

I do mine at every oil change. The first time I DIY water came out of the seals not grease - that's a clue they weren't done

 

"In case anyone reading this has trouble greasing the front zerks - I always did - the solution is to use a small one hand grease gun. You can easily push coupling on to the zerks. I always had a hard time getting coupling to lock on with the larger two handed gun - the grease always shot out around the zerk instead of going in it."


for the life of me i can not get the attachment to lock onto the zerks on the front two... how did you do it? are you using an attachment that does not lock?

 

What grease are y'all using?

 

It's not hard to do. Get a one handed grease gun w a 12 or 18" hose on it. I used M1 wheel bearing grease. I didn't grease mine until the truck had 14,000 miles on it. Don't over think it, just grease the 5 joints in 10 minutes and get on w ur life. Mine took 5-6 pumps before they were full again.

More room if the truck is on stands. Ill just do mine when I rotate my tires every 10-15k

Put the truck in neutral and u can spin the shafts as you please