PSA: 2019+ Tacos and driveline zerks

I'm sure you more knowledgeable folk have already realized this, but 2019+ tacos still have zerk fittings on the front prop shaft. There was a thread a while back where somebody had incorrectly mentioned that 2019s no longer have any zerk fittings on the drive shafts due to being sealed joints. Sometime later a reply (that I missed) mentioned that the front prop shaft still does and unless you go to an amazing mechanic or dealership, the likelihood of them greasing them is relatively low. Will not greasing it make or break your truck? Not really,b ut they spin a lot so you can extrapolate how dirty grease and rapidly spinning parts fare. Why the harder to reach front is not sealed and not the easy to reach rear joints are only the toyota engineers will know.

If you decide to grease the front prop shaft zerks, I highly HIGHLY recommend something similar to https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/KUcAAOSwW9RhRtxb/s-l500.jpg where you are able to simply lock on to the zerk fitting.


EDIT: Just found this megathread https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/check-your-u-joints.409042/page-79.

In summary, most guys are saying that 2020+'s have done away with the zerk fittings. But still check, maybe you're a unicorn and have them.

 

I second the LockNLube grease coupler for this job. Makes it SOOO much easier. I also got the XL version which is longer - which I think helps make it a little easier yet. Seriously the coupler is worth its weight in gold and makes the job so much easier.

 

I have looked and looked and must be friggn blind. ZERO zerks on my 20 OR. I'd pay someone local to show me...but they pay me when they don't find them.

Any takers?

 

You have to remove the little skid plate where the front drive shaft meets up to the diff to see one of them

 

Thank you. I'll look again and report back.

 

Front grease zerks are inside the u-joints. You have to remove the skid plates and spin the propshaft around until you can access them.

 

Im must be blind still guys. Changing diff fluid later today and will take the little skid off to look closer.

 

Is greasing any of these zerks (if they exist) covered in any of the maintenance phases? Or is that a diy/ pay job?

 

I suspect it will be a DIY job.

If its a pay job, you will need to specifically make the request on the work order. May even need to show the mechanic the location of the zerks.

 

Look at the pics for the replacement to get an idea. Like I said its tight, you have to spin the prop shaft until you can see in there.

$24 Spicer 5-153X U-Joint - Individual

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZZC5FX2

 

Nothing better than sticking your finger into a dark dirty tight spot......

 

Yuk. Been there done that.

And thanks guys.

 

Nada, when I worked at Toyota for the most part nobody actually checked anything. Just put check marks on the service check list.

 

Been using those lock&lube grease couplers for years...great product.

 

That is correct, but some do. Always keep the service check lists. I had a Elantra that the transmission dinomited they came back to me saying that I didn't have the transmission checked because it was low on fluid and wanted to void the warranty. The conversation got interesting after that. I showed the service writer the documentation it was preformed, asked about his confidence in the PDI tech because I had a friend at that dealership who said it was an exception if it was done. Than he tried to explain that it was just a oversight on that last techs part. At that point he knew I had him. Covered and not happy. It helped I had worked at a different dealership

 

What kind of grease ya'll pumping in there and at what frequency? Synthetic? Marine? Tacoma_Super_Special Grease?

 

Use an EP (Extreme Pressure) with a GC-LB specification (exceeds NGLI 2) grease.

FWIW. I use a GC-LB with Moly.

 

I asked the Car Care Nut on YouTube and he tells me there are no zerk fittings on these late model 3rd gens.

 

If I get a warm day I will crawl under and check my '21 to confirm

 

I trust YouTube experts as far as I can throw my house.

Crawl under there with a flashlight in hand. Maybe a ratchet and socket to remove the small skid plate. Feel around, look. Turn the shaft to see all 4 gaps at each joint.