Check Your U-Joints

Great post but ,my question is this after Rockhill S.C. Toyota Service department said they do not need to be greased because they are sealed u-joints. Not the answer I agree with and would like to escalate to the next level of Service. Does anyone know a number or email so I can get a answer of why this answer is coming from the dealership.

 

My TRD Sport DCSB 4x4 AT premium/tech/tow was built in Mexico in October 2015 and I picked it up in November 2015. I recently had it into the dealer and asked for the tranny/u-bolt/grease check. They said that all was correct from the factory. I am pretty sure they actually checked it this time since they had not done so when I specifically asked for these to be done when it was in for the 5000 mile service. I elevated it to the service manager, and he had me bring it in the next week after the 5000 mile service and stood over the techs while they checked the items.

 

Honestly, you're better off doing it yourself.
They require more frequent greasing than Toyotacare or most dealers are willing to do.
Plus, you'll know it was done properly.

 

are you driving a 2 or 4 wheel drive model?

 

4 whl Offroad. I have zerks in the u-joints....

 

Thanks to this thread I got this done as I brought the truck home (just 60 miles on the clock).
Build date: May 2016 in San Antonio
Greased mine using a

$55 Lincoln 1134 Pistol Grip Grease Gun with 18" Whip Flex Hose and Coupler, 6" Rigid Extension, 7500 PSI, Premium Dual Lip Follower, Variable Stroke, Jam-Proof Toggle, Filler Air Bleeder Combo

Lincoln 1134 grease gun and

$10 Valvoline VV615 Valvoline Multi-Vehicle High Temperature Red Grease 14.1 OZ Cartridge

Valvoline VV615 Multi-Purpose Grease. The 3 rear zerks took between 9 and 11 pumps before all seals purged, and the front 2 took 6 and 8. All just had the black assembly grease in them.

 

Greased mine a few days ago and my damn grease gun tip was too wide to get at the joints on the front shaft. Guess I'll have to look at getting a new slimmer tip for it.

 

Thanks Taco World for all the great info!!!!! I'm at 8,500 miles on my 2016. I just looked at my u-joints and my rear axle u-bolts. Sure enough, it took 8-10 pumps to see the first signs of grease coming out of my u-joints. Also, all of my u-bolts were only torqued down to around 10-15 foot-lbs. It definitely helps to have a great forum like this. I think Toyota maintenance should take 10-15 minutes to fix this at an oil change. Because that's how long it took me!!!!

Sincerely "Why the heck haven't these two things been addressed by Toyota"

 

Just did mine. Front 2 took 4 pumps. Back 4 took between 6 and 8

 

Again it is your truck know it inside out.You are going to be the one fixing it.Keep checking Tacoma world, may save you a buck or two and a few head aches...

 

Just got around to doing this today. Front 2 zerks took 5 pumps each. Back 3 took 6 each. I drove around my neighborhood and have no more clunk when I give it throttle. Should have done this sooner I'm going to wait a week of driving then purge it one more time and see if any air escapes again.

 

I finally crawled under this weekend and greased the u-joints on my DCLB OR 4x4 built in late January. All 5 of the zerks took between 5-8 pumps before they purged out the seals. Could hear air crackling out before the grease purged.

 

Where is the 4th one on the back? Only came across a total of 5 on mine.

 

Typo, back 3

 

Did mine tonight, along with torquing the u-bolts. Sure enough, took a few pumps to get the black factory grease to ooze out. Side question, does anyone know if the front shaft rotates at all in 2wd, or does it just spin in 4wd?

 

sub'd

 

Well, get this. I took mine in for the 6 months check and was told by the service writer, "there are no grease fittings on my truck's u-joints". It was an express service site, so I'll have to schedule with the real techs. I crawled under and there they were! So, either they were lying or ignorant. Neither is a good excuse.

 

Thanks so much for the thread, picked up my gun and grease and are destined to tackle this shortly. I have 1700 Miles on mine and I noticed that clunking when breaking differently than I usually do.

I will indeed follow up on my results.

Thanks so much for taking the time everyone, so we could nail out this issue.

 

I apologize if this is been answered in this thread I tried to search and couldn't find it. I am right in the middle of greasing my joints and I have one that won't except any grease. It's just squirts out around the zerk. Any tips?

 

Are you sure your fitting is on tight enough? Sometimes you have to tighten the fitting on your gun a a little more and make sure it is on there real good. I know it gets a little tough with room and especially when things get all greasy.