1st Gen: Zerk locations on 4x4 driveshafts (8 on regular cab, 9 otherwise))

The Greasing Entire Drive Shaft U-Joints thread from the garage doesn't have the front driveshaft covered, so I took some photos and annotated them here.

Regular cabs (only 8 zerks)
Front driveshaft is the same as below, but the rear driveshaft doesn't have the front portion of the rear driveshaft with the shorter wheelbase.

Xtracab and Double Cabs (9 zerks)
Your truck may vary. I have verified these locations on the following two 1st gen Tacoma's:

• 2003 / 4x4 / V6 / Auto / TRD / Double Cab
• 2001 / 4x4 / V6 / Manual / TRD / Xtra Cab

Field Service Manual
The photos of the rear driveshaft show a "3-joint type" rear propeller shaft. This name is taken from the FSM - page 1838 (PR-10).

Tips on accessing Zerks
Rotate the front driveshaft by hand when the transfer case is in 2WD.

For the rear, I put my truck in neutral and rolled it forward a few inches at a time until the Zerks were at a good orientation, moving bricks to chock up the rear wheels. You could also jack up the rear end to move by hand, but I felt it unnecessary.


REAR - SIX (6) <-- front of truck / rear of truck -->



http://youtu.be/BQA_GQKrjJk



FRONT - THREE (3) <-- rear of truck / front of truck -->



http://youtu.be/7IJgOfdNO7k

 

From what I can remember, when I did this to my truck, I also have 9 zerk fittings (2002 / 4x4 / V6 / Auto / TRD / Xtra Cab). Photos are nice and clear and great tips too! Awesome post man!

 

Thanks. I figured after lurking for 6 months I would contribute something back after all I have learned so far.

 

Confirmed, my truck also has 9 grease fittings. 2002, 4x4, v6, auto, TRD, Xtra Cab

This should be a sticky in the 1st gen section.

 

Great info. I also have nine Zerk fittings.

Zerk fitting number six was tough to locate.

 

Great thread. Thank you

 

Today I did this task for the second time, and I have to say, I hate it.

Greasy crumbs drop when you touch anything. Plus, the old, dirty grease that comes out when you add new grease is tough to wipe out of the nooks and crannies. Anything you leave on there will sling all over the underside of your truck.

Does anyone have any tips to make this job less of a headache?

 

Degrease before and powerwash if necessary and you only need to push grease in until the old just barely starts to come out so there shouldn't be that much of a mess after. If you degrease and powerwash your undercarriage once in awhile it won't get too bad underneath. My first gen had about 10 years of mud, grease, salt, and sand built up and it was horrible - I'll keep powerwashing each time I take it off-road so I don't have to deal with that again!

 

OK. Is engine degreaser what you use?

 

I use 99 cent store BBQ grill degreaser. Works like a charm plus a spray bottle with steaming hot water will speed things up. I just put a bucket / whatever works to catch most of the nastiness - a pick will help to remove a lot of the junk too - faster than scrubbing or wiping.

Here's the degreasing session:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...akes-funny-sounds.472706/page-2#post-14942661

 

Ditto I think for 2004 / 4x4 / V6 / Auto / TRD / Xtra Cab). Pics are great!

 

Im in a rust belt state where we use EXTRA grease, let it sling then spray the entire under carriage with Fluid film or wool wax. Count your blessings and buy a pressure washer to blast your joints before and after a lube.

 

.

 

Sounds familiar.

 

i sure wish it was easier for me to crawl underneath and check these out, its not! So I leave it in the hands of the 'professionals' with the regular lube,oil/filter changes. With the latest dealership experiences I have been getting the past few years though I begin to wonder if they even check and grease these properly every time! How the heck do I know what they do back there in the garage!?

 

The cardan joint zerk is probably the most important zerk to grease and a lot of times is missed because it sits inside the housing.

I have the dealer do mine and when my Cardan joint failed and I took the drive shaft off it looked like the Cardan joint was never ever greased, was completely dry.

The Cardan joint can not be pulled out or replaced like the ujoint. Toyota makes it almost impossible to replace.

It can be done but is a huge deal.

It was cheaper for me to just buy a new driveshaft than deal with trying to get mine fixed and new ujoints. Replacement drive shaft was 495.00 for me with the Cardan joint

 

That was the one that was hiding and I had to look hard for. When I grease my shafts I always make sure I have counted NINE.

 

It is time to get one of these, will make this task easier since I don't have three hands.

$42 LockNLube Grease Gun Coupler XL - Extra reach for recessed grease fittings

https://www.amazon.com/LockNLube-Grease-Gun-Coupler-XL/dp/B06Y2GBFFT?ref_=ast_slp_dp

 

Ok sure, if you think you need one. I just did this job again a month ago and I still only have two hands like the first time I did it. No problems.