Check Your U-Joints

It may be that you have an odd duck. The weird thing, is the T-case nipple is hard to see, even with the heat shield removed. Something about the angle makes it difficult, but if it’s not there on yours it’s not there.

 

I guess they're consistent on the lack of consistent zerks on 3rd Gen TRD OR 4x4

 

It will likely vary between 2WD/4WD/Frame size/Diff size/Production Batch, etc.

Still, it can sometimes be difficult to see the fittings, so having pics of the potential locations will make it easier for people to spot.

 

Zero........ Zero zerks on my 2020 TRD OR 4x4. I was not expecting to find any on the rear shaft (confirmed) but was expecting to find 2 zerks on the front shaft. Removed heat shield and rotated shaft many times, there are no zerks on my front shaft on either end. Front Spicer Dana shaft B = no zerks at all. Anyone want to buy an unopened Valvoline Synpower NGLI 2 grease canister? LOL.

 

Careful...they might be hiding. They are NOT on the ends of the bearing.....they are in the crotch and very hard to see...!!

 

I hear you. Rotated the shaft around with a strong light, looked from different angles, physically stuck a finger into all the available crotch/interiors and there was nothing. I'll check again but I am 99% sure my 2020 has non-servicable front and rear propeller shafts.

Edit: checked again, no zerks. Went back and looked at the phots of the front shaft zerks on this thread/location of the zerks inside the crotch/interior of the joint. Nope, nothing on mine, I checked every single angle and it is completely sealed up. I did make a video but it did not turn out very good.

 

"WELL KICK ME IN THE SHINS AND CALL ME "HOP-A-LONG".
Never gave that a thought; however Toyota is saving another $5.00 per truck, I guess..... Here's to you, mother Toyota..

 

Yup. I guess if I can get 200,000 miles without drive shaft problems, I won't complain. But zerks make it so easy to add nice, clean, fresh grease.

 

The zerks on my 18 TRD Off Road were dry and the drivshaft slip yoke had zero grease in it. So much for the predelivery check list being signed off on.

 

Neither of those items are on the pre-delivery check sheet.

Jeff

 

That grease on Amazon has some reviewers saying that grease liquefies at low temperatures into puddles on floor. Basically sayng it is garbage.
Anyone have any experience with it or what to use instead ?

 

Lucas Red N Tacky

 

Very true, but I was assured by the service writer that their dealership checks these before the trucks are put into service.

 

2020 TRD 4x4 OFF ROAD has 2 zerks.

 

Thank you for showing us where the grease nipples are .

 

where?

 

It likely depends on transmission, box, and cab size. There are a lot of different shafts used for the same year, and there are often running changes throughout the year as well as occasionally more than a single factory supplying components. You really need to check your own truck to see if there are grease fittings or not, because it seems Toyota and/or Dana/Spicer isn't always using the same components in all trucks and/or shafts.

Jeff

 

To add to the discussion, took my new 2019 TRD Sport manual to a local shop and he crawled underneath and after a bit slid back out and told me I have fully sealed u-joints but that he could get me into a a set of Spicers for $250 complete. I think I'll wait until these die at 75k-100k miles before swapping since all it means is that I then have one more maintenance item.

 

I'd wait as well as you will get quite a bit of mileage out of U-joints regardless whether sealed or not.
Got 414,000 on my '96 u-joints.

 

At $250, I'd jump into a new 1-piece or 2-piece with a CV in the middle.