My elevator does not always go to the top, but ... is my 2022 propeller zerk-less

Front, read u-joint image. Based on photos I have seen there should be a zerk ... correct?

 

Most report say they stopped adding the zerks to the front around 2020

If you can’t find them, then you probably don’t have them.

 

Thanks for looking and confirming my impression. I am new to drivetrain maintenance (I did the oil and can do the differentials later since I am still at 15k) but like that I do not have to do that much. Now I can return $28 of grease gun and grease.

 

Some people say the non-greasable type are better.
Others say the ones with fitting last longer.

Most people forget to grease them regularly.
In that case, the ones with no fittings are the better option.

There is also the argument that the ones with out the fitting are “stronger” since there isn’t a hollow grease channel in the joint.

I like the greasable type. Mostly because it is what I am used to.
And it makes me “feel” better knowing I have “new” grease in there.

 

Now that I am better at removing skids and have looked under (even could replace the u-joints and propeller if needed I think), adding grease if I could add makes this less of an annoyance. And I think you are correct ... when I can ensure new grease is in the u-joints that are spinning that fast in a muddy-dusty space I could feel better. Would be easier than swapping the u-joints if the internal grease reserve fails.

 

My ‘22 TRD-OR is totally and completely zerk-less in its entirety. Cheers!

 

Same. Crawled under mine after cleaning out my grease gun and getting the called for grease, to find no zerks!

 

My 2017 only has them on the front driveshaft.

 

That is what I had heard already. Then someone hinted that even for propeller shaft may have eliminated them and saved me removing my transmission plate.

 

Some bean counter in a windowless basement office decided that (relying on their engineering degree...joke) decided that the .39 cents it would cost to include a way to introduce lubrication to the articulating joints was not needed. Said bean counter saved toyota thousands thus getting praise from executives whom gave said bean counter a raise thus increasing said cost of end unit by $50
Simple math eh?

 

That .39 cent zerk fitting would have saved just under $84k on 2022 Tacoma production alone. Volume of scale is real. One lousy zerk fitting.

 

Here is an interesting read.

“Bottom line on strength: The non-greaseable joint is slightly stronger than a greaseable joint. The exact number, how much stronger, is unknown and we do not believe it to be very significant.

Bottom line on wear life: A regularly greased greaseable joint will outlive a non-greaseable joint. But a non-greaseable joint will outlive a greaseable joint that does not get greased properly.”

https://4xshaft.com/blogs/faq/greaseable-vs-non-greaseable-joints-which-is-better

 

2016 4x4s came with 5 Zerks. See the pictures in post #1. I grease all 5 every oil change.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/check-your-u-joints.409042/

 

That picture set is what I used when looking for my zerks. The flat surface in the middle made me unhappy that I dropped my transmission plate without good reason. If my pain and suffering saves pain and suffering for others ... then ... hand to forehead ... it was not for NOTHING!

 

I have a 2020 TRD Off Road. I don't have any zerks either.

 

with no zerks, you don't have to worry about blocking access to them when installing a catalytic converter shield. some cover part of
the front propeller. miller in particular. you can use any shield without any zerk maintenance considerations.

 

About a zillion U-joints with zerks have been destructively tested (in thousands of vehicles) ......... I'll bet Spicer doesn't have a handful that failed due to the grease holes.....maybe none.