Want to learn how to properly lube the drive shaft in my Tundra

Which zerk is hard to access? Is it on the front? @gosolo @SOB

 

This blue one is like mine, I have had for over 40 years. I’ve bought other tips over the years.

 

I have a 2017 CM 4WD and the rear shaft does not have any zerk fittings. I have check all of the rear bearing caps and inside each U-joint and there are none. I do have the zerks on the front shaft. Anyone else have this?

 

Curious...Maybe Toyota switched to closed universal joints at some point.
I'm not sure why they would only do it for the main shaft and not the fronts too. Either way, sounds like it will save you some time/ maintenance in the long run.

 

Rear u-joint on the front driveshaft (4x4 models) at the transfer case is the hardest to reach, but I get it on just fine without resorting to a needle. I do have a lot of practice getting my long grease hose into tight spots though. Rotate the driveshaft for the easiest access.

Nothing wrong with using a needle either, there’s a lot more room to wiggle it around in there.

 

Thanks @landphil

 

Yeah what @landphil said - the one that goes into the front of the transfer case. I have tried rotating the shaft to all angles and can't seem to get it to an opening where it's straight enough that my gun will reach the zerk. Gun has a flexible hose like the ones posted above.

 

They all do. My dad keeps his in an old sock and on top of a piece of cardboard to store it (pretty sure it's the original box). its disgusting and i always use gloves because it's so damn slippery, but it works. That thing has got to be 40 years old but will probably outlast anything made today, they don't make 'em like the used to.

 

@TTund16 this is the one, described here. On my truck there’s no way to lube this zerk without a needle. Interesting that there’s a difference between some of these trucks. @landphil has room but I don’t. Possibly a different yoke mfg?

 

Might be differences in the grease coupler as well, I use Lincoln couplers that are fairly streamlined, but some on the market are a bit larger OD.

I believe that all of these drivelines are Dana/Spicer, mine are for sure, proven by the large decal on it.

 

I think it’s like what @landphil said. You and I have the same year truck. It is difficult but not impossible. Definitely need some strong fingers to get it snapped into place but I am able to accomplish it.

 

So that needle would poke through the zerk fitting or do you have to stick it somewhere else around it?

 

You stick the needle in the hole of the zerk and pump in grease. I plan to get one later today and if I re-grease this weekend like I plan to I'll report back.

 

Nice, my work sells grease guns so I got this red lithium grease with that black gun and 2’ hose and a Locknlube for $36.

 

Very informative post Phil

 

Bought this for my shaft...

 

Tried the needle and it just squirted grease all over. Couldn’t get it into the zerk far enough. However, after taking more time to get the shaft in the perfect position I was able to grease that zerk with no special attachments. So it is possible - the zerk needs to be in about the 2 o’clock position (when viewed from underneath and feet towards the front of the truck).

 

YES!

This is what I found as well with my 2017 4x4 Crewmax. I have only been able to find one zerk on either end of the 4WD shaft. I have not found any zerks on the main drive shaft.

Is this all of them? What am I missing?

 

I got a 2018 and interested as well, before I climb under there...

 

wonder if the drive shaft may have a different length or angle between DC and CM models or different year models! Tundra keep getting wider and longer. I read newer Tundras are 1/2 or 1" longer than Ford and 1/2 or 1" wider than Silverado or something to that effect. My neighbor has an older Tundra a little bigger than Tacoma!

 

I’m gonna have to try again, based on that

 

Came to ask about this. I bought my 2018 a month ago. Just climbed under the truck, figured I'd go ahead and lube the prop shaft (I let it go too long on my first Tacoma once and had to replace the u-joints). I can't find any grease fittings on the rear. Didn't get up to really examining the front shaft ahead of the transfer case.

 

4 x 4 or 2 x? My understanding is the 2 x has none.

 

4x4

 

Hmm that’s weird

 

So do you have to remove those C clamps to get at the rest of the zerks? I can only find 3 total on 3 shafts, none on the front, 1 in each end of the 2 sections of rear.

 

Do 2wds also have to be serviced and how if so?

 

No....
The zerks will either be on one of the four ends, or in the middle...if you have them. @VRC noted that his '17 rear joints didn't have any zerks. Which is entirely possible. There are closed universal joints. Perhaps Toyota switched up the joints sometime in the last few years?

 

BTW, mine is 2016.

 

So u was looking at manual and only shows 4wd needs service......so my guess is 2wd dont need service or do they not have the fittings ?