HELP!!! Zerk issue

[vicar]

So I was greasing the driveshaft and the grease gun got stuck on one of the zerks. I wiggled it and the zerk fitting came off. I took the zerk to the auto parts store and they had never seen one like it. It's kind of blockish. And it does not have threads. This is off of the front diff of a '99 4wd.

Is this the stock zerk or did someone replace this before I bought the vehicle?

And why doesn't the zerk have any threads? Did I break the threads off in the driveshaft? If so, how can get the rest of it out? There's not a lot of room to work with there. Or is possible that the zerk somehow pops into there? I tried to press it back in, but gave up quickly because I ran out of time and light on Saturday night.

Thanks for any help guys.

 

[vicar]

Does anyone have a part number for the stock elbow Zerk like this?

 

[1blink]

I'm pretty sure that's not stock. Maybe it was a repair that didn't last.

 

[TheDurk]

It was on ''the front diff''?? There is no zerk on the front diff, or I have been missing it all these years. Only on the propeller shaft. Do you have a pic of it in place? Otherwise I agree with post above this one.

 

[vicar]

My bad....I was in such a hurry I misspoke. The zerk came off the shaft near the front diff.

Anybody seen a zerk with this shape? Do all the zerks on these trucks have threads or do some "pop" in?

 

[pluton]

The zerks on my old 1991 Toyota truck were exactly this type.
I don't remember if they are the same on my current 97 4Runner, but I think they are.

 

[vicar]

Thanks pluton. That helps. Do you remember if the zerks like this had threads on one end? How did it go into the shaft?

 

[mattman]

I could be mistaken, but it doesn't look like anything "broke off". It almost looks like there is a little groove or near the end of the smooth bore. Could it be that an o-ring fits there and helps lock it into place?

 

[TheeMikeB]

Anyone know what size the zerks are on the drive shaft? I sheared off the one near the gas tank and need to replace it. I searched both here and internet but no luck.

 

[slapdappy]

Anyone know what size the zerks are on the drive shaft? I sheared off the one near the gas tank and need to replace it. I searched both here and internet but no luck.

unscrew one and take it into the zerk store to compare.

 

[slapdappy]

I've unscrewed a few from my '99 ltd driveshaft and all were simple straight threaded zerks. I'll wager previous owner did a quick and dirty repair. Threads in hole look ok? Yes, then remove another zerk and see if it screws in all nice and smooth. No, then it is easy to retap the threads or tap new threads. I'd consider checking to see if any of the other's look like this one.

 

[So Many Roads]

Anyone know what size the zerks are on the drive shaft? I sheared off the one near the gas tank and need to replace it. I searched both here and internet but no luck.

6mm zerks. These are what you need:

NAPA AUTO PARTS

 

[TheeMikeB]

6mm zerks. These are what you need:

NAPA AUTO PARTS

Awesome thanks!

 

[JSwain]

It is the stock fitting for sure, and appears to be a push fit so just clean it up and push it back in there. Might need some leverage with a screwdriver or pry bar

 

[pluton]

I don't remember if it was threaded, since I couldn't see well into the hole and the stock one was lost on the road. I had a shop swap in a new u-joint since I didn't know how long it had been missing.
If it is threaded, you can get swanky stainless steel ones from here:
Grease Zerk Fittings: 6 MM Metric Thread (Stainless Steel)