90,000 Miles/144,000km New Ujoints?

I'm hitting 90,000 Miles /145,000 KM. Mostly highway driving and almost no towing at all except for 2 times for maybe 100km. No heavy loads just light bulky loads ( rescue ropes ,harnesses , rope access equipment)

I cant find any play at all in any Ujoints currently and no odd noises or clunking sounds.

Should i get them replaced purely because of Mileage or don't worry for time time being. I'm not worried about the cost just more about preventative maintenance.

 

I wouldn’t worry about it, when they go, I doubt they will so suddenly. You will have time.

it’s not a cheap job to do u joints. We’ll depends on your bank account. Lol

 

Thanks for the Input. I had Jeeps for decades and i replaced Ujoints on those every 60,000 miles just to be safe. I also noticed the 2 grease zerks on my front propeller shaft were dry and didn't look like the Dealership mechanics were greasing them at services like i thought they were. I'm a little pissed that i may have gone 90,000 miles and those front Ujoints haven't had any grease. I'm going out tomorrow , buying a grease gun and getting under the truck and hitting them myself.

 

My manual calls for Lithium base chassis grease, NLGI No.2.

 

The front driveshaft doesn’t really turn unless you are in 4WD.
So the chances are small that it’s hurt.
If you can’t find any play, or hear any noises, I’d say leave them alone.

 

I don’t know about 3rd gens, but on 2nd gens you have to remove a plate to get to the rear zerk fitting. Maybe they were too lazy to get to it?

 

Thanks for the input . I've called the dealership and told them about the issue and to make sure they hit the zerks( and ill be checking their work from now on) with my fall service. I live in a snowbelt close to Lake Huron here in Ontario, Canada and i use 4x4 often through the winter.

 

Ya there's a small plate with 2 bolts that has to be removed. You can get at the grease zerk with the plate in place but its a royal pain.

 

They are not hard to get on the 2nd Gen
Not once you know the trucks trick.

I can’t imagine it’s much different on a 3rd Gen.

You just have to go up and over. Most guys don’t realize you can turn the driveshaft by hand. It’s not locked in place like the rear. So they usually just pass over it if they can see the zerk. Plus, Toyota put them IN the joint. And not on the out side like the rear.

 

The dealerships do not grease the zerks or check the driveline fluids unless it is a customer-paid job. From what is said around here, checking those is not part of the PDI either.

 

That’s odd. I figured that would be part of the 120 point inspection they say they do?

Do I believe they check all 120 point? No.

I don’t even check 120 points on MY truck.

 

Hahaha! 120 points in a mere minute.

 

Toyota u-joints will last twice as long as that or more. I got just over 200K miles out of my rear u-joint in my ‘97 4runner. All the other ones are still stock, 25 years and 235K later. Also, you’ll know when one goes bad, it’ll start vibrating at highways speeds like an unbalanced tire.

 

Does the grease really matter? I plan on greasing mine for the first time this weekend when I change my oil. All I could find in stock anywhere was Valvoline high temp mutipurpose red grease or something like that.

 

Something is better than nothing.
Ideally you want to keep the same grease that’s in it now, the same.

Have I used different grease? Yes.
I didn’t experience any issues.

If this is what you bought.
It’s the same as the Lucas Red an’ Tacky I’ve used for over 10 years. So I’d say you will be fine.
https://www.valvoline.com/en/multi-purpose-grease/

 

Moly Grease is another option. Its been used for UJoints for a long long time. I'm pretty sure Moly grease is what our mechanics use on our fleet vehicles.

 

They are supposed to do it. Its written right in Toyota's maintenance schedule. "lubricate propeller shaft"

 

I think it’s lithium based #2

 

What is said and what is actually done are two different things. I like my dealer and believe the work that they did was good, but they never touched the driveline parts.

 

Thats true. Im going to stat checking their work. I caught one of their mechanics just filling in the tire pressures and not actually checking them. I made the service manager come out and verify the numbers his mechanic reported. They were wrong. I mark bolts that they are supposed to remove to get certain jobs done and if they didn't they have to answer for why before i pay my bill. I guess I'm going to have to add checking the zerks as well. I was the Training NCO they recruits hated to see walk in the barracks for an inspection and i guess i have to reprise my role .