Check Your U-Joints

My TRD OR DCLB was bone dry when I checked this evening. Does a typical grease gun work for zerk fittings or do I need a special adapter?

 

Nothing special...maybe.
The only problem some seem to be having, is accessing the rear zerk on the front driveshaft.
Either, the zerk is not aligned with relief cut in yoke or the zerk adapter O.D. is too big for relief cut in yoke.
Some have recommended the use of a grease needle for this one.

 

It's my understanding that the propeller bolts are 75lbs and the U bolts are 52... might want to verify.

 

Yeah...
I've been waiting for a few days off so I have ample time to to download from the TIS site.
I know JeffLange confirmed 52 ft/lbs in the u-bolt thread.

 

I guess toyota was a little more alert when they built mine or my dealer actually checked them. I only had to give 3 pumps from my mini grease gun before I started to get some squeezing out of the joints. So I dont think mine were bone dry like alot of people had

 

Sub'd

 

Sounds like very few dealerships are doing their predelivery inspections. It makes you wonder how many corners are they cutting on service repairs. It's all about making money, not quality.

 

Which bolts are these? Can you point them out in a photo?

 

The bolts on the ends of the driveshafts-yoke flange.
First and last pic, here.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/check-your-u-joints.409042/#post-11508028

 

Checked the couple I could reach without getting a hose for my grease gun and they seemed to be full. Only a pump or so went in before squeezing out of the caps.

 

found a grease gun at work, bought Valvoline grease and hit all my zerks. might have went overboard. i think there's a bit of sling from one of the rears. enough to hit the muffler and smell like burning grease. gonna wipe up a bit today. should a rag work or do i need to hit it with some cleaner?

 

The u-joint or underbody?
I run an old microfiber through the u-joints to clean them off after I grease.
I found Aerospace 303 and microfiber works great for cleaning the underbody and makes future cleanings easier.

 

At the dealership now to replace the rear zerk on the front driveshaft and have it purged. At least the "waiting room" in South Texas is nice.

 

That pic looks nice to me... I look out my window and see 4' of snow.... But nice and sunny as well... Let us know what they do to fix the zerk issue..

Thanx

 

5200 miles, had my first Toyota care check up. Crawled under the pickup this morning and no visible grease around any of the U-joints, each took 5 pumps before coming up with resistance, so no they have not been greased either at the factory or at the check up. Got to love that little cover for the rear front drive line zerk, right smack in the way. Not sure these U-joints will last like my 2000 did (268,000 miles) with no failures.

 

After reading this, and getting paranoid, I greased up today. DCLB with 170 miles.
Some red-black grease came out, but it took a couple pumps to purge.
What my findings were (If this helps):

1- Needle ~10 pumps, some leaked from the poor connection
2- Took off heat shield, Normal hose ~ 8 pumps
3- Normal hose~ 10 pumps
4- Normal hose~10 pumps
5- Normal hose~10 pumps

 

Replaced all mine with Spicer u joints. No more clunck.

 

what does needle mean, is that like an extra connection i need to my grease gun before i can connect it?

im buying a grease gun soon and would like to know

 

Yes, a grease needle threads on to a grease gun. I got all the items I needed at an O'Reily's.

 

So a grease gun with a hose like this is not sufficient? i need another tip?

$26 LUMAX LX-1152 Black Heavy Duty Deluxe Pistol Grease Gun with 18" Flex Hose, Handy 3-Way Loading - Fill with Standard Cartridge, Suction or Bulk Fill. Convenient One-Hand Operation for Easy Greasing.

http://www.amazon.com/Lumax-LX-1152...?ie=UTF8&qid=1457200483&sr=8-1&keywords=lumax