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Old 11-18-2018, 09:05 PM #1
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HOW-TO: grease your drive shaft

I have read many differing opinions on this and thought I’d help explain a little.

This applies to the 5th gen 4runners. The 4wd models will have 6 zerks total.

First, for whatever reason, it does not appear the dealership does this maintenance item. I have heard that mentioned multiple times on here and it appears to be the case on mine as well.

You can start to get a “clunking” noise if this is neglected. Toyota recommends every 15,000 miles.

Therefore, I’d recommend everyone slide under there and check for themselves that this is done.

This is a very simple maintenance item that can be done in under 30 minutes and with minimal tools. You don’t even need to lift the vehicle.

You’ll need a grease gun and a lithium based grease. A flexible hose on the grease gun will GREATLY simplify this.

A common confusion point is what type of grease. Many people say you need two types of grease and the manual does indeed mention two types. HOWEVER, the manual expressly states you can use lithium based on BOTH the slide yoke and spider zerks. If you want to have two guns and two types of grease, go for it. But the engineers at Toyota are fine with lithium grease in all 6 zerks.

I used StaLube new generation wheel bearing grease from NAPA. I wouldn’t over think this. Not all greases are compatible so just make sure it’s lithium based NLGI-2.

There are 4 spider zerks and 2 slide yoke zerks. Clean off the dirt from the zerk before pumping grease in to avoid getting dirt in the joint.

The spider zerks will take 3-5 pumps. This kind of depends on if this maintenance has ever been done or how long ago it was done. Just listen for the grease to squeeze out the joints. You’ll easily hear it. Wipe the excess off.

The slide yokes are another common area of confusion. Some people state that pumping too much grease in here is dangerous. You won’t necessarily hear these squeeze out when they are full like the spiders. Too much grease can cause too much pressure. Slide yokes allow some movement in your drive shaft. Too much pressure equals too little movement.

An easy way to do this is give the slide yoke zerk 4-5 pumps or so. Next using a 7mm socket, remove the zerk. Now push up and down on the front and rear bumpers to get a little movement in the slide yokes. Check back under the car and wipe off any grease that squeezed out. Replace the zerk. Do not overtighten this. Just needs to be snug. Now you can be sure there is not too much grease there.

That is it. Now your drive shaft is properly lubricated and good to go for the next 15,000 miles.

Hope this helps.
Attached Images
HOW-TO: grease your drive shaft-694bf8b6-bbc4-43ea-afef-993abe38ff9a-jpeg  HOW-TO: grease your drive shaft-0d472144-1dd3-4e18-9b20-4a76d5b86996-jpeg  HOW-TO: grease your drive shaft-30b7daa5-1bb6-4290-b77b-308d82941c77-jpg  HOW-TO: grease your drive shaft-4e6f8043-ac81-4df0-aec2-e191a97d359e-jpg  HOW-TO: grease your drive shaft-f23a6741-74d0-4b44-be78-a6c95988e0d9-jpg  HOW-TO: grease your drive shaft-80061109-d7d4-4f4e-afc6-fb3ca6a0570d-jpg  HOW-TO: grease your drive shaft-e6b58182-33bb-49f5-9823-a443f7c51a4f-jpg 
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Last edited by TRDpro4R; 11-18-2018 at 10:10 PM.
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Old 11-18-2018, 09:59 PM #2
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Thanks for posting this. It was done in a very timely matter for me. I just purchased a used 4 runner and was perusing the maintenance manual and it was showing numerous service requirements for a propeller shaft. Couldn't figure that one out so I came up here to ask, there was your post.
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Old 11-18-2018, 10:50 PM #3
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Thanks for posting, I need to do this soon on my 2016.
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Old 11-18-2018, 10:57 PM #4
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Thanks for the write up. Adding it to my maintenance


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Old 11-18-2018, 11:19 PM #5
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When I took one of mine in at 21k for an oil change and said to lube the drive shaft, etc., they said they would check and do it if necessary. How do you check if it needs to be greased?
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Old 11-19-2018, 12:13 AM #6
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I don't really know if you can just visually inspect it to determine the grease levels. The joints on mine were completely dry meaning there was no grease on the spider joints or anywhere else that was visible. I would expect at least some dirt caked grease on the exterior of the joints.

Toyota recommends every 15k under normal driving conditions so it is a little bit of a mystery to me why the dealerships do not routinely do this or only "do it if necessary".

Maybe someone more knowledgeable can chime in on this.
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Old 11-19-2018, 12:16 AM #7
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Thanks for this and the well labeled pictures.
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Old 11-19-2018, 12:34 AM #8
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Great write up. Thanks for the detailed pictures. I noticed my 4R was getting a squeak under 10 mph that would increase as I sped up from 0-10 mph. I greased this stuff up and its good to go! Funny how 45k miles and 9 trips to the dealer for service every 10k miles this was probably never done. Oh well, another thing to add to my maintenance list. Thanks!
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Old 11-19-2018, 09:15 AM #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TRDpro4R View Post
I don't really know if you can just visually inspect it to determine the grease levels. The joints on mine were completely dry meaning there was no grease on the spider joints or anywhere else that was visible. I would expect at least some dirt caked grease on the exterior of the joints.

Toyota recommends every 15k under normal driving conditions so it is a little bit of a mystery to me why the dealerships do not routinely do this or only "do it if necessary".

Maybe someone more knowledgeable can chime in on this.
You can’t. The whole point, especially on the u-joints is to replace old grease with new grease. On the u-joint you should see the grease coming out change from dark, used grease to fresh grease so you know all the old grease has been purged.
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Old 11-19-2018, 09:36 AM #10
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I tend to forget to do this on mine at the 15K intervals but did do it at the 20K point.


adding this thread as a favorite as the pictures are a good check list to make sure to get them all.
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Old 11-19-2018, 09:50 AM #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TRDpro4R View Post
I don't really know if you can just visually inspect it to determine the grease levels. The joints on mine were completely dry meaning there was no grease on the spider joints or anywhere else that was visible. I would expect at least some dirt caked grease on the exterior of the joints.

Toyota recommends every 15k under normal driving conditions so it is a little bit of a mystery to me why the dealerships do not routinely do this or only "do it if necessary".

Maybe someone more knowledgeable can chime in on this.
I guess I have to add this to my list. I already do the diffs so what's one more.
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Old 11-19-2018, 10:45 AM #12
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Great thread . Thanks
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Old 11-19-2018, 12:25 PM #13
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Yes - very timely. Thanks! I planned to look up info on this procedure here on T4R.org today. I'll be doing some 4Runner maintenance over the holiday break this week.
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Old 11-19-2018, 01:55 PM #14
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This has been discussed here many times. This one started in 2012 and is still going. Prop shaft greasing
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Old 11-19-2018, 02:11 PM #15
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Very good information. Still wondering as to brakes, is it better to grease the rotor or the caliber? And is it best to change out the air in the AC at Summer?
Thanks.
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