2020 drive line u-joints have are sealed

I had a 2006 taco for 12 years and just got into a 2020 pro. Always greased the drive line u-joint zerks on my 06 at least once per year. So checking my 2020 and there are none. Curious about long term reliability. Are all 3rd gens like this? Anyone add zerks?

Thanks,

 

mine are sealed as well, its a 2020 TRD offroad, i can't answer your question so i know this isnt much help but i just wanted to chime in as i've seen some debates on here about this.

 

Yep

 

mine are sealed

 

IMO, all things being equal, a greasable joint will last longer, as long as they are serviced properly. How much longer depends on use. Water and contaminants will eventually find their way into a sealed joint. I'd just run the sealed until they become a problem.

 

I can tell you 100% that the sealed ones are better.

Greaseable fittings typically have dry spots, or are over greased.

I only install sealed on my joints after years of working on Toyotas.

 

My 04 Silverado had no zerks on drive shaft. Had it for 14 years and a lot of miles. No issues. They dont have zerks because the they are pretty reliable as a sealed unit. How many all wheel drive cars need lubing. We have had several Subarus and other than oil changes there is really nothing lube wise to do with any real frequency.

 

Let me just say recently I replaced 1 of the 3 u joints on my drive shaft along with the hanger bearing. 2 caps on that u joint had powder for needle bearings. One of those caps had the grease fitting, and the other was directly opposite. So my conclusion, even if you grease your u joints regularly it dose not prevent a failed grease fitting and through centrifugal force all the grease comming out.. that said I still like the greaseable ones.

 

Not sure about Toyotas, but for my old fleet of American work trucks, I tried but could never get the more expensive, name brand, heavy duty “sealed” U-joints to last as long as the cheaper, name brand greasable U-joints. My experience anyway....

 

The many advantages of sealed u-joints explained:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JSPC2Toq27g

 

Great video, thanks!

 

guess the only real reason you'd want unsealed u-joints is if you do a lot of mud bogging/water crossings so you can just regrease it. but might also contribute to all the vibrations people are getting in the older 3rd gens.

 

The only 'real' advantage is no required service. This only matters to someone who'd rather not or neglects proper service. Notice, I said, "proper service". There is a difference between 'regular' and 'proper' service.
Show me where a u-joint manufacturer, or anyone, presents objective quantifiable data stating the differences in strength, longevity or vibration. My guess is, the difference is effectively nil and that's why you will be hard pressed to find said data. Believe me, I've looked.
Otherwise, everyone's opinion on this is subjective. Everyone's...mine included.

 

Interesting video, I never knew that. Can’t say I’ve ever had a U-joint break bc it was weakened when drilled with a grease passage either though. Makes sense in theory but I don’t know why in severe duty, real world practice I could always get more miles from greasable U-joints, greasable tie rod ends and ball joints, greasable trailer bearings, etc (I kept track with maintenance log books for each piece of equipment)

Maybe I’m just a rock star at maintenance or maybe it was the Lucas RnT grease I always use?

 

The sealed ones are stronger.

 

How much stronger? Show me the data.

 

One of reasons they don't case harden the grease channels; the loads aren't concentrated in that material.

 

Idk shit about fuck. But the goodness starts around 15:30



https://youtu.be/BjPFzFkNmjE

 

Bring over your drill.

 

Love John and his videos...
As far as tolerances, I would have liked him to compare OEM Spicer sealed to OEM Spicer greasable, instead of "cheap aftermarket" greasable. In regards to longevity of a greasable; by his own admission, longevity or lack thereof, is predicated on neglect.

I ain't saying one is better than the other. What I am saying is, as long as a greaseable is properly maintained, it don't make a shit bit of difference.