Check Your U-Joints

Just greased mine at 1,300 miles; they were bone dry.
3 zerks in the rear took 6-7 pumps to purge
2 zerks in the front took 2-3 pumps to purge
I used plain old Valvoline multi-purpose; it's what I could find local that meets the Toyota and Spicer spec.

EDIT: 1
This applies to 4wd only.
2wd are sealed and not greaseable.

EDIT N0. 2:
As of June/July 2016, all 4x4s shipped with non-greasable rear driveshafts. The front driveshaft is still greasable.

EDIT NO. 3:
Link to replacement u-joint thread
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...e-2016-and-2017-tacomas.521461/#post-16543852

EDIT NO. 4:
Link to Dana/Spicer replacement u-joints;
https://www.danaaftermarket.com/aut...=331&from=0&y=2016&mk=Toyota&md=Tacoma&sort=1


FRONT TO REAR
note-front driveshaft will rotate by hand for easier access

Zerk #1-front driveshaft



Zerk #2-front driveshaft(remove cover with 12 mm socket)
-with cover

-without cover

-opposite view



Zerk #3-rear driveshaft



Zerk #4-rear driveshaft



Zerk #5-rear driveshaft


EDIT NO. 5

 

Is there a diagram somewhere where all the zerks are at, and does anybody know how many total there are?

 

Depends what truck you have.
Mine's a no-brainer.

 

Would be great post with photos.

 

This applies to shortbed Offroad.


FRONT TO REAR
note-front driveshaft will rotate by hand for easier access

Zerk #1-front driveshaft



Zerk #2-front driveshaft(remove cover with 12 mm socket)
-with cover

-without cover

-opposite view



Zerk #3-rear driveshaft



Zerk #4-rear driveshaft



Zerk #5-rear driveshaft

 

Been meaning to do this... I've seen people here mentioning it.

 

Thanks for posting.

Do you think U-Joints are part of the 5000 mile inspection/servicing?

 

It's required maintenance under special conditions.
Toyotacare does not cover special conditions.

Mine were bone-dry; the only grease I purged was what I put in.
The zerks have black paint that has not been disturbed by having a grease nozzle put on them.
Do not wait for 5,000 miles.

 

ok, thanks for posting

 

Wow that's what a truck looks like without rust. You should see my 09' I just bought.

 

So what you are saying is that the trucks are rolling off the line without being greased??

 

REALLY good to know, Splitbolt. Thanks so much for letting us know.....................

Frank

 

Apparently, mine did.

 

Sad. Good thing you checked. Something else for me to do. <sigh>

 

I meant to do it a lot sooner.
Pisses me off...

 

How do you know when you've put in enough grease?

Thanks

 

Going to check mine tomorrow. Thanks

 

Side (sad?) story:

I took my '99 4WD Tacoma in to get the wheels re-balanced and specifically asked the shop to grease the driveline zerks for me (I haven't done it in years). The shop mechanic's answer was:

"We don't have a grease gun that can do that. New cars don't come with grease zerks anymore. Your truck is unusual. Sorry."

What the actual fuck?

//rant

 

I would say sorry I don't pay with normal money. Here's a few rocks to compensate your time.

 

You should see grease come out all 4 seals.
Since mine were dry, I could also here the air escaping as it neared capacity.
If you can't get it to purge out all 4, you may need to lift up on the shaft, or bang on the ears with a brass hammer to unbind.
If you still can't get it to purge, something is screwed; Spicer recommends disassembly/inspection/replacement.