Driveshaft Lube...

[Mel0]

I know there are dozens if not more threads on the net regarding what lubricant to use for the driveshaft but after reading thread after thread I'm still confused as to what is a happy medium for me to use on ALL points. I'm looking at Mobil 1 LS 75W-90 with a quart pump but I'm unsure if the pump hose will even fit onto the zerks. Any idea if this will work or do I need it in a tube with an actual grease gun?

Thanks.

 

[02SE]

Mobil 1 LS 75w90, is a good gear oil, that would be fine to use in the rear axle, transfer case, and front diff. I used the original Mobil 1 75w90, in all three, plus my manual trans, for the first 14 years I owned my 4Runner.

Anyway, gear oil is not what you want to use in the driveshaft zerk fittings. You need a grease gun, and a tube of grease to go in it.

Personally, I've been using Mobil 1 synthetic grease in all of the zerk fittings in my driveshafts, since my 4Runner's first oil change and lube, one month after I bought it new off the lot in '97.

Also be sure to clean any dirt off the zerk fittings themselves with a rag, before attaching the grease gun tip to them, and pumping in fresh grease.

 

[Mel0]

Yeah, not sure what I was thinking with the gear oil... Anyways, I should mention I just purchased a 98 sr5 with 260,000 on it, and there is a noticeable thump/clunk after a hard brake, but only after coming to a complete stop and then releasing the brake pedal and then "thump". So after reading about the driveshaft needing grease as being the common culprit I picked up a grease gun and some grease and pumped about 3-5 pumps in each zerk fitting. But, the thump is still there and while pumping in the grease I never saw any old grease ooze out anywhere... So, I'm wondering if I didnt pump enough grease, or if all the old grease is so gunked up it wont allow the new to come through, or if the zerks could be clogged(yes i wiped them off before pumping), or I just dont know how to use the grease gun??? Please any advice is appreciated.

 

[Illestreker]

Keep pumping in the grease until you hear a little fizzle/crackle noise. This noise is the last amount of air/grease being forced out the seams, ensuring everything is now full. Use this process on each zerk fitting.

 

[UTEP]

Keep pumping in the grease until you hear a little fizzle/crackle noise. This noise is the last amount of air/grease being forced out the seams, ensuring everything is now full. Use this process on each zerk fitting.

Careful though!

I did this on my 2000 Ltd and the hydrostatic pressure was transferred to the transmission not allowing a full shift into park and other oddities. I don't think mine had even been done before as it took a lot of pressure with a Lincoln grease gun to get any old grease to squeeze out. I had to release pressure by removing he zerk fitting. This can be done by just pushing the ball in as well.
Mine was so full of grease with no where to go it was like an iron rod. The shaft is obviously in 2 pieces so it can move so removing this play = not good!

So mine is on a long term plan. I lube it every other week or when bored hoping the new grease will be worked in by the process of driving. I force it in there as much as I can without effecting the trns.

I read a thread somewhere where someone suggested using a thinner grease to work out the old then followed by the proper grade. Sounds like a good idea on paper but I can't find the thread.

I may disassemble and clean the splines if this doesn't loosen up after a couple more attempts. It does move but obviously some old grease still in place.

So just be careful and if you get the problem I did simply release pressure as above.

HTH

UTEP

 

[Mel0]

Keep pumping in the grease until you hear a little fizzle/crackle noise. This noise is the last amount of air/grease being forced out the seams, ensuring everything is now full. Use this process on each zerk fitting.

So over the past week I have pumped about 3-5 pumps of grease into each fitting on three separate occasions and still no fizzle or crackle or grease coming through any joints and the thump is still there. Should I just keep trying to get new stuff in or will it cause problems? Where should I see the grease coming through? If I cant get any new stuff coming through what are my options? Is the next step pulling the whole driveshaft and properly cleaning it? Any tips or advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[RockyMtnYota]

Could you have a bad U-joint? I believe I've read that makes a clunk/thump noise too? Maybe search some threads on U-joints and see if that sounds similar to your issue?

 

[Mel0]

How would I determine if I have a bad U-joint?

 

[NateMob]

How would I determine if I have a bad U-joint?

If it squeeks while driving, or if you get under there and grab hold of your driveshaft and you have any sort of play in it near the joint, everything should be tight.

 

[hrt4me]

Careful though!

I did this on my 2000 Ltd and the hydrostatic pressure was transferred to the transmission, not allowing a full shift into park and other oddities. I don't think mine had even been done before, as it took a lot of pressure with a Lincoln grease gun to get any old grease to squeeze out. I had to release pressure by removing the zerk fitting. This can be done by just pushing the ball in as well.
Mine was so full of grease with nowhere to go, it was like an iron rod. The shaft is obviously in 2 pieces so it can move, so removing this play = not good!

So mine is on a long term plan. I lube it every other week or when bored, hoping the new grease will be worked in by the process of driving. I force it in there as much as I can without effecting the trns.

I read a thread somewhere where someone suggested using a thinner grease to work out the old, then followed by the proper grade. Sounds like a good idea on paper, but I can't find the thread.

I may disassemble and clean the splines if this doesn't loosen up after a couple more attempts. It does move, but obviously some old grease still in place.

So just be careful, and if you get the problem like I did, simply release pressure as above.

thanks for the tip!

 

[Mel0]

I got under the truck and tried moving the driveshaft with two hands and the end at the rear diff. was snug, no movement. At the transmission side there is a VERY SMALL amount of play. Could this be the source of my thump? If I were to replace the u-joint does the driveshaft need to come completely off. How tough of a job is this?