Greasing all 5 zerks on early 3rd Gen drive shafts

Good question. I haven't either, tbh..

Edit: The manual isn't specific, unfortunately.
I'll continue to rely on the u joint manufacturers recommendations, and I'm really sure we're both gonna be just fine.

 

Non-greasable joints last so long that nobody should care about the additional life provided by greasable when you factor in the extra work to keep them alive by greasing at every interval. Just an unneccessary PITA that no one really wants to deal with.

 

I totally agree. Even a bigger PITA for me to grease my front Zerks since I have to drop my Cat Shield to get at them.

 

3 Zerks? Are you sure it isn’t two zerks and one jerk?

My ‘17 only has two, at least that’s what I thought but I can be a jerk at times also!

 

I grease at every oil change,it's also a good time to take a look at the underside of your truck for any issues that might be developing. I've noticed a blown rear shock and cracked leaf spring while performing this task.

 

sounds like a miller. i believe cali raised has a 2 part shield that leaves access to front prop zerks without removing shield. someone with cali raised can correct me if wrong. miller must be removed and i would imagine some others.

 

Yes, I have a MillerCat.

 

Yes that is true

 

Can anyone confirm the 19s with two up front or were they gone already?

 

Sounds like it depends. My 2019 has two up front, but others are saying they don't have them. Maybe depends on build date/location/trim level.

 

Found two up front only in my 19.

 

Here is more information on the 2016 Zerks if anyone is interested.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/check-your-u-joints.409042/

 

Pushing a little grease out also pushes any water out.

 

A Zerk is the screw in valve that your grease gun attaches to.

Sorry, had to be 'that guy'.

 

Does anyone know if a LockNLube grease gun coupler will fit on the zerks in the U-joints? It's a tight space, but I hate the standard screw on coupler that came with my grease gun. The LockNLube coupler looks a little thicker than a standard one. Is there enough space to fit it in the U-joint and lock it on properly?

 

No, in my very recent experience, the LockNLube will not fit. They're just a little too large in diameter, both the long and short LockNLube..


Lincoln on the right, LockNLube on left.

 

That's unfortunate. I just looked up the specs, and it's only about 1mm larger than standard, but I guess it's a tight enough fit that it doesn't work. I remember barely having enough room to use a standard coupler, so I'm not surprised.

Does anyone make a long version of a standard coupler? I don't mean a standard coupler on the end of a rigid extension, but something along the lines of the LockNLube XL where the threaded coupler itself is longer.

 

Yea, it's so close.
It's not the first time I've run into spaces where that extra 1mm on the LockNLube rendered it useless.
I got tired of switching out couplers and just ordered a Lincoln gun.
I needed two guns for two greases anyway.
The coupler that comes on the Lincoln is effortless on these zerks, fwiw.