Dealer service, driveshaft grease fail

[LandCruiser]

The ONLY dealerships that lubed the driveshafts/undercarriage bits properly and completely were in CO.

None of the Southern AL/Florida dealers I've been to have done it right, one even told me that there's no need to do so:|

 

[Lost27]

It's always wise to audit any claimed dealer services. In my case, I met the conditions to justify the "Severe Operating Conditions" schedule in the manual and requested the designated services via voicemail to the Service Writer, dealer appointment form online, and affirmed again live (being paranoid).

The paranoia paid off once I caught the dealer red handed NOT performing claimed work at AutoNation South Austin Toyota under Toyota Care. The ONLY item on the maintenance checklist completed was a basic oil change. All zerk fittings were dry and untouched - no lubrication service occurred at all. And forget about them re-torquing of the prop shaft and body bolts to spec per the checklist. And last, they lost front skidplate bolts during the oil change which I caught and made them replace. Luckily I crawl under the truck to do an onsite inspection knowing I am dealing with inept and/or untrustworthy people. Be careful out there folks, nobody cares about your truck like you do. Dealerships get paid to get it done fast, not 'right'.

I don't think your experience was a one-off, I'm currently going through a similar experience with Autonation South Austin Toyota. Took truck in for service and found: missing skid plate fasteners, chipped paint, mis-installed tail lamp.

There has been a fairly low level of communication going back and forth and after 4 trips to get things resolved I was met with a low level of empathy and just an "I'm sorry". They still have the truck now but I'm not very confident that they are willing to do what it takes to save a customer.

 

[Dig-Dog]

Including using the right lube? If so, that's seriously awesome. I have yet to find a Toyota dealer service writer who knows anything about moly vs. lithium. The slip joints (and birfs for solid front axle Toyotas) need moly, but the u-joints need lithium. Owner's manuals and shop manuals are both very clear about this. Every Toyota shop I've been to uses lithium for everything. And then everyone complains about clunking driveshafts in Toyotas after 100,000 miles of no lube or improper lube.



Dan

The owner's manual for my 2016 T4R actually notes that the Lithium based grease can now be used for both the spider joints and the slide yoke. There is a discussion about this owner's manual update in another thread in this forum. So, if you have a 2016+ model and only want to have one grease gun, get the lithium based grease. Otherwise, lithium for the spider and molybdenum for the slide yoke.




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[4string4runner]

The owner's manual for my 2016 T4R actually notes that the Lithium based grease can now be used for both the spider joints and the slide yoke. There is a discussion about this owner's manual update in another thread in this forum. So, if you have a 2016+ model and only want to have one grease gun, get the lithium based grease. Otherwise, lithium for the spider and molybdenum for the slide yoke.
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I was unaware of this. Thanks for the intel.
It was always a PITA using two guns, lubing my previous Taco's and 4Runners.

Pays to read the forums...

 

[TRUSTYAXE]

Mine has only been to one dealer here in sunny swf. After reading similar threads popping up lately I slid under the truck to have a look, and sure enough I would say the zinc fittings have never been touched.

 

[Dig-Dog]

I was unaware of this. Thanks for the intel.

It was always a PITA using two guns, lubing my previous Taco's and 4Runners.



Pays to read the forums...

For the sake of completeness, it's on page 468 of the manual.

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[-Lonestar-]

For the sake of completeness, it's on page 468 of the manual.

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Have any of the parts changed or did they just decide to go to one grease? I have a 2014 so I’m wondering if I can start to use just one

 

[renau001]

Have any of the parts changed or did they just decide to go to one grease? I have a 2014 so I’m wondering if I can start to use just one

You can, but the spiders are not designed for moly, so use a non-moly grease if you're just using one. You might could use moly in everything and never have a problem (as I'm sure people have) but it's not what it calls for. I have seen some report increased resistance when pumping the slide yoke with non-moly grease. For me, I just have 2 guns, one with and one without.

 

[-Lonestar-]

I went ahead and got this moly grease. I’m guessing it will work? I’m not sure why it says for fords though

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...ied-multi-purpose-ford-grease-vv633/7070013-P

And I got this for the spiders which says for Gm. Completely confused with this grease now.




https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...e-vv615/7070011-P?searchTerm=Valvoline+grease

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I used only lithium based Valvoline grease on all the fittings on my old 4th gen for 11 years and on my 5th gen for 4 years now with zero issues and will continue to use only one grease gun.

 

[catrains]

You can, but the spiders are not designed for moly, so use a non-moly grease if you're just using one. You might could use moly in everything and never have a problem (as I'm sure people have) but it's not what it calls for. I have seen some report increased resistance when pumping the slide yoke with non-moly grease. For me, I just have 2 guns, one with and one without.

so when I greased my new 2016 4Runner with 50 miles on it black moly grease came out of the U joints not good... I had to pump out all that moly out with the Lithium grease gun..

yes Moly grease will fly out of the U joints then NO lube it is all thrown out..then U joints may fail..

moly grease on the yokes provides a film in a tight area and will last a long time only a small amount is needed ..

drive train very smooth no issues ..