Check Your U-Joints

I've looked multiple times from different angles, rotated the drive shaft, felt for them, etc., and nada front or rear. The maintenance guide clearly states to lube. Wonder how many stealerships are charging people for it when it physically can't be done.

 

My 18 OR DCLB does not have any zerks for the main driveshaft but did for the front. The fronts were centered on the "back" of the joint. Tricky to get to. I found it odd that I didn't have anything on the main shaft. Kinda bummed. I suppose when the time comes to replace I'll get some with zerks.

 

They eliminated the zerks from the rear driveshaft after 2016, my 2017 only has the 2 on the front also.

 

I couldn't remember the year; I watched a video to understand where to find the zerks and could've sworn the dude had an 18 DCLB but maybe he said 16. Probably had some grease in my ears and misheard.

 

So assuming my 2019 trd OR has even front zerks, I have never greased them in the 35000 miles I have had the truck since new? How bad could that be lol?

 

I think the forward driveshaft only rotates while in 4WD so if you haven't gone many miles in 4WD you should be good.

 

I didn’t grease any of my zerks until about 50,000 miles

 

This is going to make me crawl under the truck after work in the morning. I’m 99% sure my 2018 has them. But, I also have a 2nd Gen so I could be getting my lines crossed

 

Yeah your 18 should only have them on the front driveshaft.

 

Yep, just looked, only the front 2

 

2020 TRD OR DCSB - I looked and looked but there are no zerks that I can find on mine either.

I do have a grease gun and some grease now. Guess I need to find something else to grease

 

Welcome to the club. I made the same mistake as well! Was ready to break it out and grease some zerks...

 

Just ckd my 21pro and can confirm no zerks front or rear.

 

One of mine didnt take any grease, what's the trick for getting the grease in the nipple to "purge" ? thanks

 

just scrape the center of the nipple...... They come painted over from the factory. If that doesn't work, punch the ball in the center to get it moving. It is spring loader and should go in and out.

Good luck

 

@over60 i appreciate the tips. I didnt scrape it enough so thats next and or pushing the ball in! cheers

 

Checked my 2016 CCSB and it has the 5 grease fittings that have been mentioned earlier in the thread. 3 on the primary shaft and 2 nicely hidden on the front differential shaft. I've owned the Taco since late January and never dreamed a late model vehicle would have grease fittings. I could tell that the joints had never been greased and the truck has 35K on the clock. It took about 3 pumps to get grease out of the u-joint cups on all fittings.

I found no grease fittings on the front quarter shafts going out to the front hubs. Am I missing them or are there none on them?

 

There are none on the two axle shafts with CV joints (front diff to each front wheel).

 

Well, I believe all 2016's have them. Look closely. they are not the same as the rear ones. These ones are in the "crotch" of the joinr, not on the and very visable. Your fingers will find them if you search carefully. There are pics. slowing them real well in earlier posts...

Good luck.

 

I have the 2021 Taco Pro. How many (if any from what i read) are there? Is this also a known issue on the 21 models too? What would the recommended grease be? I used to use Moly until i was told that it could actually cause flat spots in some types of bearings due to how slick it actually is. I guess the roller would't roll but would just glide leaving only one spot on the roller getting worn down.