Orienting Zerks

Just finished greasing my Zerks - took 5 tries moving the truck a few inches to get the Zerks where I could get at them - Anyone have a easy way while working alone ? PITA moving checking X 5. Thanks for any advise and or links.

 

I believe you can rotate the driveshaft by hand. At least the front one.

Here's a good link:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/drive-shaft-lube-points-2nd-gen-4wd.225161/

Also for me personally I like to use the needle adapter on my grease gun.

 

The front one yes.

The more you do it the easy it gets. I do the back three at each oil change, and the front two every other.

Takes about 5 min.

 

It takes me a little longer than that

 

The 3 on the main driveshaft should be lined up from the factory. So that one would require you to move the truck to get it where it's convenient.

The other 2 on the front driveshaft are tough to access, but fortunately you can spin it by hand.

In my case, I have an aftermarket skid plate that protects the trans/cats so I have to unbolt a 40lb hunk of metal any time I need to grease the front driveshaft zerks.

 

The front two were easy - could rotate the shaft by hand - had it in neutral - back three had to move the truck. Thanks.

 

What do you do with the needle adapter - I was looking at them yesterday - cheap - around $5 - I could scrape up that much. Thanks

 

I don't like the typical clasp connector fitting thing. Maybe I'm clumsy I could never get it to seat all the way on the zerks. With the needle you just press the little ball in the zerk in and pump your grease.

 

If you are rotating your tires you can rotate the drive shaft by hand when one rear wheel is up. Naturally you'll want the truck safely supported if you are going to get under it! (I know some people get sloppy with jack safety when "just" moving tires).

 

If you're on level ground, you can put the truck in neutral, lay under/next to it, and push on the rear tire with your foot. This'll move the truck ever so slowly as you're keeping an eye on the drive shaft.

 

You don't need it. The standard connection works fine as long as you put it on the fitting somewhat square. Works for all 10 fittings on my Tacoma(2 each for new sway bar end links, 2 for front shaft, and 4 for rear).

The needle adapter may come in handy for the rear fitting on the front shaft so you don't have to pull that little plate down, but that's about it.

 

Yep, but please do this carefully.

 

I was convinced a needle adapter was necessary for the front shaft zerks after failing the first time. Since then I've learned with just the right orientation a standard fitting will fit. If I recall you have to come in from the side rather than below for it to fit (but my memory sucks these days).

 

So you put the needle into the Zerk and the grease doesn't back out of the Zerk like it does if the clasp connector fitting perfectly seated ?

 

Sound a little scary - maybe put some chocks a little behind the rear tires too.

 

It's surprisingly not scary all. You have a lot more control then you'd think rolling the truck via the tires. You only need to move the truck a few inches, so no way for it to gain speed.

 

But wheel chocks wouldnt be a bad idea at all.

 

I have a good ideal once in awhile. I appreciate your idea and will try it in 5000 miles. You might want to include one of those disclaimers I see in some posts - something to the effect " If you F up and do something stupid it's not my problem" or mo betta wording

 

Nope it doesn't ooze out of the hole. Works for me. Different folks different strokes.

 

Sounds good - I'll give it a try - hows this look ?

$13 Carbyne Grease Injector Needle, 1-1/2" Long, 18 Gauge, Stainless Steel. from a Family-Run Tool Company Based in The U.S.A.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MY4DCY...UTF8&colid=3FZGI55YANKYH&coliid=IL76PF7JOYF1O