Check Your U-Joints

When Toyota assembles U-Joints, they apply grease to the needles before assembly, so the zerks are never used at the factory, only for post-production servicing. I'm not saying there isn't a concern here, just that for any Toyota, the first time you use the zerk fitting you will get a lot more grease in there, since there is often none in the cross, etc.

Jeff

 

See above video.

 

thx as always for the clarification dude.

 

In that video it was 11 pumps before any grease reached the bearings. As I said, Toyota typically applies grease to the bearings in the cup and not using the zerk fitting, so there would be no grease in the cross from the factory.

Jeff

 

glad it wasn't just me who had to count each one.

 

I said it wasn't the exact same...Could have been using a little hand pump...
Spicer states the grease they apply to needle bearings is for shipping purposes only.
Spicer states seals must be purged after assembly.
Greasing during assembly does not provide adequate lubrication to the bearings.
Purging does.

 

Don't have them on my 2WD. Checked all three. Cannot find a Zerk anywhere......

 

Yes, only 4WD models have grease fittings, 2WD's do not.

Jeff

 

Most likely the 2wd is sealed like the 2nd gen was. Pretty much at that point you can either swap them out with ones that have zerks, or run them until they start to wear out then replace with ones that have zerks.

 

Yes the 2005-2016 2WD u-joints are the same part number.

Jeff

 

Hit mine today and it took a good 4-5 pumps to see it coming out of the seals. I use schaeffers #238. Been using it for years in my jeeps with double cardan and u-joints with great results.

http://www.schaefferoil.com/greases.html

 

Ha Ha, you got ripped off. Go back to your dealer and ask for your zerks.

 

I'm gonna ask my private diesel mechanic that has history with toyota(not as diesel obv) to do it. I am sure he can manage it.

 

For someone who has never done this, is this as easy as getting the appropriate grease and grease gun, then hooking the gun up to the nipple (zerk?) and pumping until the grease comes out all 4 sides as in the video? Are these easily accessible?

 

yes, very easy to do.

 

I greased mine at 800 miles the first week I owned it with some nice waterproof grease. One of the joints was a real pain at the t-case. I can't remember if it was front or rear shaft

 

Pic of the aforementioned joint after I removed heat shield

 

I've never done this on my 09 4wd.
Fitting wise, a standard off the shelf gun will work?
And how much grease should purge?

 

Regular grease gun with flexible hose. I just full them until some oozes out of the boot

 

Thanks, gonna hit this tomorrow.