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U Joint replacement

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by Randy1794, Jan 8, 2020.

  1. Jan 8, 2020 at 5:35 PM
    #1
    Randy1794

    Randy1794 [OP] New Member

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    So I took my truck in for routine service this weekend and I also had them further investigate a what I suspected to be a failing U-joint. My suspicion was correct, but dealer mention that they have to replace the entire drive shaft per repair procedure. Both myself and the service advisor thought that was odd, so he is checking in on it further...
    My question is has anyone else had this issue?
    I would have no problem paying for the U-joint replacement if I have to... But NO WAY am I paying for an entire Drive shaft replacement considering my truck has less then 100K miles on it.

    Thanks
     
  2. Jan 8, 2020 at 5:38 PM
    #2
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    Have you been servicing them?
     
  3. Jan 8, 2020 at 5:41 PM
    #3
    Randy1794

    Randy1794 [OP] New Member

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    Ever since I owned the truck at 23K miles it has all of its routine service completed at a Toyota dealership.. Currently at 81K
     
  4. Jan 8, 2020 at 5:46 PM
    #4
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

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    I wouldn't be surprised if they never greased them. This is an easy DIY job that can be done at home.
     
  5. Jan 8, 2020 at 5:49 PM
    #5
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    There are zerk fittings on all the U-joints. They should be serviced somewhat often. I do it every 5k at my oil change intervals. The first time I did it, I had to scrape the paint at each fitting, just to fill them. And the first time, took at least 5 pumps each. That should be a good telltale if they’ve ever serviced them. See if the paint is still over the fitting.

    I Had my truck serviced once at the dealer. On the checklist, it said they greased the driveshaft. I checked afterward and they did no such thing. Never been back for any maintenance service. They can keep the free ones lol.
     
    ColoradoTJ and equin like this.
  6. Jan 8, 2020 at 8:02 PM
    #6
    mambo143

    mambo143 New Member

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    I change my oil and grease the shaft every 5-5.5k miles. Don’t care what anybody says. I get under and grease and eyeball everything, spread the excess on threads or whatever and when it’s done I feel confident that she’s in good hands. Times have changed. I only know of a couple places where I would leave my truck or car to be serviced.
    It’s old school, I know, but I worked in the small town garage after school and on weekends growing up. A real Norman Rockwell kind of place with an ancient rollout desk and shelves stacked with automotive books from the 30’s and 40’s and nooks with new parts hiding ancient auto parts that never found a home.
    The place, 4 bays, was first opened by his father. There was a big credit book, and two pumps, where you either pumped yourself and left cash or waited for Dick stop what he was doing and come out. It was a ad hoc meeting place where every farmer stopped by to swap stories and hang out at some point during the week.
    Long story, short. Dick, The owner, stubby cigar in mouth (always) would double check my work and every grease fitting, until he didn’t have to...
     
    EDDO likes this.
  7. Jan 8, 2020 at 8:42 PM
    #7
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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  8. Jan 14, 2020 at 1:59 PM
    #8
    rockfordhx

    rockfordhx New Member

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    Checked my 2017 DC 2WD and I dont have any grease fittings on the drive shaft
    20200114_093536.jpg
     
  9. Jan 14, 2020 at 6:55 PM
    #9
    endagon

    endagon New Member

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    ^^^ looks like what Toyota does with the Tacomas. If you have 4WD you get greaseable joints; if 2WD, you get the 'sealed' ones.

    Spicer builds the driveshaft assemblies for Toyota. If you crawl under the truck you can grab the assembly model # off the Spicer sticker if your local driveshaft shop wants it for cross reference.

    It can be relatively inexpensive... when I had my Tacoma driveshaft rebuilt, it was all 3 new greaseable joints, a new center bearing, the slip joint regreased, and the assembly rebalanced all for somewheres around $200 after labor using the same parts that the truck was built with. That was about 5-6 years ago tho. Just had to pull the shaft from the truck and bring it in.

    Shoot, the stealership wanted more than that for a single u-joint at the parts counter!
     
    equin likes this.
  10. Jan 15, 2020 at 8:25 AM
    #10
    rockfordhx

    rockfordhx New Member

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    Thanks endagon. Good info
     
  11. Jan 15, 2020 at 1:51 PM
    #11
    BigdaddyII

    BigdaddyII New Member

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    If this is what they are doing with the Tundras, it must be only a few or they stopped doing it after a certain point. I have a 2018 4wd that I put a ton of miles on and is dealer serviced. I just crawled under there to cure my curiosity/ paranoia that they weren't being greased. The front axles are CV shafts and there isnt a grease fitting to be found on the 3 drive shaft joint nor the carrier bearing. The drive shaft has "Spicer" clearly stamped on it at each yoke and even a faded sticker but no zerks.
     
    Rider0120 and equin like this.
  12. Jan 15, 2020 at 2:45 PM
    #12
    Tiamat

    Tiamat New Member

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    They never greased mine in 10 oil changes and three warranty issues.
     
  13. Jan 15, 2020 at 3:05 PM
    #13
    Walther1978

    Walther1978 New Member

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    What grease are you using? I use Mobil 1 MOBIL GREASE XHP 222 for my Scag VRide and wondering if this would be compatible.
     
  14. Jan 15, 2020 at 3:07 PM
    #14
    Tiamat

    Tiamat New Member

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    I honestly couldn’t tell you the brand , but it is a high temp synthetic grease. Took several pumps to fill them
     
  15. Jan 15, 2020 at 3:25 PM
    #15
    NCTundra1980

    NCTundra1980 New Member

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  16. Jan 2, 2021 at 8:47 AM
    #16
    pearlpower

    pearlpower New Member

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    My 2014 CM 4wd does not have any zerk fittings, either.
     
  17. Jan 2, 2021 at 9:43 AM
    #17
    KillaahCam

    KillaahCam New Member

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    My '14 4x4 has zerks. Anyone who regularly greases the shafts have any tips on getting to the second fitting from the front. That crossmember makes it cumbersome.
     

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