U Joint Zircs

I have a 2009 4x4 - How many U Joint zircs are there? I greased them yesterday and only saw 3 zircs. I’ve heard there are 5 but I didn’t see them . Could someone clarify the number of zircs?

 

There are 5 zerks.

2 on the front drive shaft and 3 on the rear.

 

I recently did mine also. I believe 5 is the magic number. For 2 of them I had to use a needle dispenser because I could not get the greese gun on them without it. This is what I have.

$33 LockNLube Grease Gun Coupler locks onto Zerk fittings. Grease goes in, not on the machine. World's best-selling original locking grease coupler. Rated 10000 PSI. Long-lasting rebuildable tool.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H7LPKKU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It fits my lock and lube grease coupler.

$11 LockNLube Narrow Needle Dispenser

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0779FK9CZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I don't think the two I had to use the needle dispenser for had ever been greased. The grease was so thick and hard it was very difficult to get new grease to feed into the the fitting.

 

The 2nd one back from the front is a pain in the @$$. Best approach is from the passenger side, and use a flexible hose with your grease gun.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/greasing-entire-drive-shaft-u-joints-5-zerks-total.56976/

 

Thanks all. Ya all are awesome

 

seems there is a guard to remove to easily get the front/rear 'zerk'

 

Please explain how the needle is used on the zerk. I have one but can’t figure out how to use it on the zerk.

 

Mine was rusted beyond easy removal.

 

Yeah. Just two bolts. Easy to remove, hit the grease fitting, and then reinstall.

 

The neat thing about occasionally greasing is the spray from the grease getting slung off the u joint helps deter rust.

 

Ive considered buying that lock n lube thing, does it work good? reviews seem all over the place

 

On mine there are 3 zircs on the main drive shaft. They are on the outside of the u joints and super easy to lube. However there are 2 on the front drive shaft that are a sob pita to get too. Looked at them today and decided tomorrow would be a better day to attempt them. Sitting back with a glass of Buffalo Trace Kentucky Bourbon planning my assault on the 2 zincs.

 

I’ve never felt the need to use those fancy attachments. The one closest to the transfer case is easiest from the side if you pull the skid plate, 2 bolts.

I’m able to grease all 5 easy while the oil is draining, clean up and finish the oil change.

 

Do you find the 2nd zerk on the rear of the front driveshaft to be difficult? It was a PITA; I bent a heat shield down and hit it from the passenger side. Curious how you do that one so easily.

 

Please report back how you did on the front 2.

 

Besides the skid plate blocking access to the front DS, you may need to roll the truck a few inches forward/rearward so the zerks will come to an accessible position.

A helper in the driver's seat is a nice addition for this task.

 

^if you aren’t in 4wd you can actually spin the front shaft by hand.

I just pull the little skid plate off, 2 bolts with the impact then I actually found getting it from the drivers side easier.

 

The truck is light enough to just pop in neutral and push a couple inches to spin the rear shaft. And as already mentioned, that only applies to the rear. Just leave it in 2WD and spin the front driveshaft.

In the OEM configuration, these trucks are cake to do basic maintenance on with the most basic tools. No fancy grease attachments or anything-just a regular old grease gun and a socket set.

 

My shield had seized bolts. Argh.