Drive Shaft Lube Points 2nd Gen 4WD

Another "old man" agrees - me !

 

Is there a link for doing this job ? Thanks 4 any response.

 

Good looking out! Went out to the truck just now. Dusted some road derby off that area (hardly any) and lucky it is just paint! I appreciate the guidance.

 

(Edit) This thread should be is now elevated to Sticky

Nothing like 10 min of squirting grease to return such a high rate of satisfaction to effort.
That cracking. The oozing expulsion of that waxy black sludge. That sweet fresh Lucas red-n-tacky packing the joints. So satisfying. Yet gluten-free.

Hardest part turned out to be cleaning the grime off the zerk fitting before I mated it up to the grease gun hose. Don't worry tho- I'm taking rest of the day off.

Pro tip: if the grease gun nozzle gets jammed on the zerk, stop pulling, and push to reseat it. Then pull on it normally but from a different angle. Repeat as required.


TL/DR: Do it for cheap thrills. If stuck, pull your hose in different direction to release.

 

I just greased all 5 on my TRD OR 4x4. Pretty easy job if you use a flexible hose from grease gun.

I threw on some brake bleeder screw caps - the rubber ones - after I was done to protect the grease fittings on the driveshafts.

 

https://youtu.be/dn_nqH9Ih1c

 

The front drive shaft was a pain in the butt because of the angle and limited space due to cross member. Also I bought about the cheapest gun probably. I started on girlfriends older built jeep and found a non functioning zerk. After taking it off and trying to clean still a no go. Replacement is cheap and easy. Moved on to my truck, rear DS was nice and easy but due to the head of the gun nozzle I could barely get it on front DS. Also noticed with this gun the only way for lube to flow through zerk is to loosen the tip of the gun all the way and then tighten it down onto the zerk (makes it where it is pretty much attached). I've used plenty of grease guns on heavy equipment but this one was a pain, maybe defective?! I plan on jacking up truck for more room and trying again. If no luck I will get a new nozzle/tip of grease gun.

Just random info/experience for others to read

 

if youre not in 4WD, you can rotate the front DS by hand to get a better angle..

Also, Im planning on getting this for my grease gun. Seems like it will work great.

$42 LockNLube Grease Gun Coupler XL - Extra reach for recessed grease fittings

https://www.amazon.com/LockNLube-Gr...d=1615248713&sr=8-2-spons&smid=A3UPOD5O08GT8E

 

Yep, not in 4wd so easily manipulated but I think the tip of gum may be faulty. I'm used to just being able to stick it on zerk and start pumping slowly but no luck with this one. Had to loosen it up to get on zerk then tighten down on zerk every time because I couldn't find a happy medium. I've seen those but $40?! I guess it's an investment

Just for your info I just searched Google and found the same for 30

 

there is a shorter one for 30. I guess you could get away with it, but some things Id want to buy quality over Amazon junk

 

I am with you there. I try not to buy junk or go cheap especially with tools and outdoor gear. I guess I made the mistake with a cheap gear lube gun!? I'm sure you are in the same boat but I'd rather buy from a local/hometown company IE not cheap inexpensive stuff wherever

 

This thread is linked in the STICKY 2nd gen DIY maintenance thread - under the grease driveshaft section.

I did this today and it went smoothly - didn't need to remove that heat shield; this is the 1st time I have done this and was without hiccups, thanks to this thread!

 

Have seen a lot of guys are using Lucas Red and tacky grease to lube the driveshaft grease points. Was wondering if Lucas Marine grease (blue) would be acceptable for this application. I always have it in my grease gun because I use it for my Yamaha outboard motor and trailer bearings. It’s NLGI 2 rated, which I think red and tacky is also, so was wondering if it would be ok for this job?

 

Anyone else noticing Lucas Red N Tacky separating? I always have to put rag under my grease gun and it gets covered with red oil in between driveshaft lubes. Thinking of switching to a different grease. I've read Amsoil doesn't separate.

Also, how often is everyone doing this? I've been doing it every 20,000km for the last few years but have read of some doing it every oil change. Here is a link to the manufacturers reccomendations, does anyone know which model is installed on the Gen 2's?
Spicer® Driveshaft Lube & Torque Specification | Spicer Parts

 

Yeah I’m not a huge fan of the Lucas red and Tacky. In hot weather it seems to liquify to a degree. I asked a while back if anyone uses Lucas Marine Grease I love that stuff for my Yamaha outboard it doesn’t separate and has great performance otherwise, doesn’t wash out etc. It’s NGLI #2 so I don’t see why you couldn’t use it. Drive shaft is often in a moisture laiden environment so I think the blue Marine Lucas would work well here. My only reservation is I saw some post saying for some part of greasing Tacoma you want to use a grease with a specific additive in it, moly something but I can’t remember if they were talking about drive shaft or something else.

 

From what I read, the moly is for the slip yoke which is sealed and not greaseable without dropping the driveshaft. I think NGLI #2 lithium grease is good for the 5 fittings we have access to.

 

Yes, I have.
When I’m done, I let the tension off the spring. This seems to help quite a bit.
Some still seeps out, but nothing like it does when you leave pressure on the tube.

 

I recently bought a Taco with 160k miles. Going to go and push grease in all the zerks after work today. Nervous to see how many pumps it will take to fill them all.

 

The front shaft above the cat can be tricky. It’s a puzzle, but one you figure it out. It’s easy.


I even made a post on it
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/that-one-hard-to-get-to-grease-fitting.426944/#post-12237789

 

I got mine at 96K. When I went to grease the drive shaft, it popped, cracked and took some work to get the grease going. I drove it a couple of days and did the same thing again, more popping and cracking. I do it every oil change now.