PSA: 2019+ Tacos and driveline zerks

NLGI #2 lithium base is what Toyota specs.
I use Redline CV-2 calcium sulfonate base NLGI #2. It's similar to Spicer's own brand.
Typically, I grease every 5,000. More often if it's been driven through nasty stuff.
But, seeing as you have a '21, I'm 99.9% sure you have sealed u-joints.

 

Well, I did all of that crawling around and poking first. This guy isn’t JUST a YouTuber. He’s a Toyota mechanic. Let’s see what others say but if you have a 2019+ Tacoma post a pic for all of us please.

 

Thanks for the suggestion but no.

My '06 has zerks on the U-joints. I'm suggesting to the OP a method to verify if the OP's truck has zerks or not.

Sometimes, not all the answers are on the cell phone or in YouTube. You should always verify what is on your truck. Not everything on the Inet is accurate. There are times when the verification requires the questioner to get dirty for a little hands on effort.

 

I'll check my 2019 when I go outside, but I'm thinking maybe midyear 2019 or with 2020 models they did away with the grease zerks since you don't have any.

 

There have been multiple threads that discuss the zerks (and the lack thereof) on the 2020+ models.

See: https://www.tacomaworld.com/search/14891423/?q=zerks&o=date&c[node]=186

The consensus from the above is that Toyota went to sealed driveline bearings sometime during the 2020 model year.

I have a 2020; I have looked for them repeatedly and have found none.

 

For a second time, did that. I checked.

 

Well, let me let you in on a news flash. This site and YouTube would not be here and as active as it is if it were not a great source of info.

 

You probably shouldn’t be commenting on 3rd gens if you don’t have any first-hand knowledge, lol.

 

Subbed for pics of a zerk on a 2019+ prop shaft

 

When I had my 19 I found the one under the shield on the front shaft. None on the rear. Haven't been under the 21 yet to look of it's there I'll find it. Thought on the 21's it was posted awhile back that only the lower level trim's had the single zerk.

 

This is what they look like, its just a little nub. The front prop shaft will spin freely by hand, so you can check both the forward and rear u joints on the shaft.

 

I'm not a tech and haven't seen under other model year trucks. I wish Toyota was a bit more clear in this regard. There information out there is conflicting, so I wanted to bring attention to the matter so people can do their due diligence and double check if they have zerks or not.


EDIT: Just found this megathread https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/check-your-u-joints.409042/page-79.

In summary, most guys are saying that 2020+'s have done away with the zerk fittings. But it's still worth checking to be absolutely certain.

 

IIRC, 2nd Gens had them, then they didn't and then they did again.
Doesn't hurt to look.

 

@mquibble

Hmm.....interesting

All I'm saying is don't trust everything you see or read or hear on the internet. Get under YOUR truck and look. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Gen don't matter. Nothing is better than putting your eyes and hands on your truck.

Basic mechanics and looking have nothing to do with what Gen you're driving.

Verify what your truck has.

Good luck to you all.

Yes, I understand you have looked and your truck is not equipped with zerks. Others may not have such first hand knowledge

 

My 2010 had them, my 2021 does not. I’ve been under the truck and looked.

 

FWIW, I checked on my 2019 TRD OR 4X4 LB (purchased in May 2019) and there are 2 on the front (4WD) shaft - one on each end. And the one toward the back is a bitch to access. No zerks on the main driveshaft.