Check Your U-Joints

thanks. that was helpful.

 

2017 SR5 DCSB 4x4, made in Texas. Had it almost a month, 1300 miles. Only 2 zerks on front drive shift. Both took 4 pumps to purge air and see new grease coming out...

Thanks @splitbolt

 

I did a lot of greasing in the Navy on Hornets, and when I got out, on 737's.
Lincoln or Macnaught guns all the way. If you go cordless the Milwaukee or Snap On's are alright.

My go to fitting was, and still is a 90 degree fitting. I can hit all the joints on my Tacoma currently.

 

I just greased my 2016 OR joints. I don't know if it was just the pump (blue Lincoln grease pump from Amazon) but the lowest number of pumps to purge the joints was 8 pumps on one of the front ones. All the rest took anywhere from 12 to 24 pumps. I could see grease coming out of some of the joints, but I kept going until the the crackling of escaping air stopped

 

First time? Mileage?
8 for the front seems reasonable.
24 for the rear seems high, unless you were having difficulty getting a seal to purge.
You need to keep pumping until you see new grease come out all 4 seals for each u-joint.
If a seal won't purge, drive it around the block to loosen it up.
If it still won't purge, you might have to get physical.
If it absolutely will not purge, something's boogered up.

 

Years back Dodge I believe used to put the fitting on the end of the cup where it was easy to reach anytime . Cheers

 

My 2017 took quite a few pumps to purge all 4 caps--only the front driveshaft had zerks. I believe they didn't pump any grease in these that wasn't already in the caps.

As far as the U-joints that aren't greasable. I hope they last as long as the ones in my 1994 Ranger did. At 160,000 miles I pulled the driveshaft when I replaced the rear end and the front one was tight and clicky, the rear was slightly tight with no clicks.

 

Yes first time, 8k miles. I did see grease coming out in all seals (that I could see), but I kept going until the crackling from air escaping stopped.

 

Thanks for the video Mr Split !!!!
Its great to see a community of members actually taking the time out to service their drive line properly .
Hopefully this post eliminates all the new squeaky driveshaft posts lol .
I follow this guideline at every oil and change and have never owned a truck with a factory original universal joint that was tight or seized up .
I have replaced well over a thousand universal joints mind you . hehehehe

 

I didnt read all 51 pages but has anyone had a ujoint fail? I have a vibration and i believe it ia a ujoint. I have not greased mine and have 7500 miles on it. I just found this thread

 

Thanks for the heads up!

 

I didn't wade but 5 pages or so but I was always taught never blow out the seals of any bearing with grease. The exposed grease will attract dirt and grime and be can be drawn into the bearing or joint causing premature bearing or joint failure. I was told by a dealer many years ago that this is why you see more and more sealed bearings.

 

Are these zerks just on the OR 4x4s, I have a SR utility 4x4 auto and can't find a damn fitting anywhere.....

 

Yep, definitely not there on mine....checked and re checked, all sealed on my SR

 

I have your exact truck in white. Mine only has front driveline zerks and they are on the ujoint body directly inline with the centerline of the driveshaft yoke.

 

Hey man, sweet, thanks alot for that info....Ok, I am going to check that out again this week, I'll let you know what I find, I felt all around the front driveline u joint body and the yoke and couldn't see or feel a zerk for the life of me.... I will check that out again this week and report back. I have a week off starting this coming Wednesday and will be doing alot of Preventative maintenance on this Tacoma next week, this is definitely one I will look into man....thanks again brother for that info....

 

No problem. They are in a weird place but I was able to get my regular grease gun tip on them. Easy to rotate the driveline to help since the transfer case is unlocked.

 

Right on man, I'll check it over good this coming week and let ya know I found them at least, thanks again man. I'll find em! I also have my Amsoil on order for my differentials and my transfer case, and I am checking my tranny fluid too, read too many horror stories about it , doing a few mods too...cruise control, intermittent wiper, differential breather behind tail light.., 0w20 Amsoil Signature Series in the engine. New filter.. Installing fog lights too.....this shit gets expensive man...real quick like, hahaha. I may also plastidip my steelies too to see what they turn out like. Gonna be a hell of a week man, but I like doing this shit....

 

Read back further - initially (IIRC), all 4x4's had zerks, then somewhere in later 2016 builds they started transitioning to sealed drivelines. Some have only found them on the front shaft. My '16 SR AC has all 5 zerks.

 

Which are better, sealed or zerks?