Lubing Propeller Shaft
- Thread starter ciaz
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tlflow
New member
That depends on how big your pumper is ... :naughty:
harper7
Senior Member
Several trains of thought here as to the right way and possibilities. Mixed opinions from even experienced mechanics to say the least.
Some say to pump the driveshaft completely full of grease til it comes out the seal. I can tell you that these seals are very very tight . I do know that the 2 driveshafts I've taken apart,although not Toyotas were not full of grease from the factory. Some say filling can hyrdolock the shaft so it can't extend/retract correctly putting added pressure on the transfer case and or rear diff.
Some say to just add a few pumps for what was lost due to normal use and drying up. I don't know for sure but I only pump in 4 or 5 pumps at level and then I clean and lube the shaft which is the front part. To do this I jack up the rear by the pumpkin ,put jackstands under the frame in the rear and then drop the floorjack so the axle hangs down. This extends the driveshaft the whole way and you can actually see the witness mark where the seal normally rides on the shaft at the slip joint. It only extends about an 1/4-1/2 inch. Clean and lightly lube the shaft and when I let it down the jack,The retraction of the driveshaft slip joints lets the seal get some grease. Then lightly wipe off excess leaving a thin film. I think this is the best way in lieu of taking it completely off,separating it and cleaning/lubing.
Here is some good reads I just found on IH8MUD discussing the "THUMP" and greasing. There are alot of good mechanics on IH8MUD by the way and an excellent source for info.
They are old threads but slip joint drive shaft technology hasn't changed much.
Driveline thump/cunk when stopping/starting
Updated warning on greasing the rear drive shaft
ciaz.... sorry I couldn't get back to you yesterday as my daughters had indoor soccer playoffs all day.Youngest came in 2nd after a 4-3 shootout after being tied at 4-4 in regulation. Her 3rd game of the day to get to the finals! Wait til next year.
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ciaz
New member
No worries Harper. Thanks for the advice, as always!
BTW. Have you seen this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/63518-lubricating-propeller-shafts-2.html#post698052
I can't imagine trying to put that many pumps of grease through it. Just seems wrong, especially if they ship them dry...
BTW. Have you seen this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/63518-lubricating-propeller-shafts-2.html#post698052
I can't imagine trying to put that many pumps of grease through it. Just seems wrong, especially if they ship them dry...
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I just looked at the thread that CIAZ mentioned and it seems that taking the driveshaft out and greasing the splines by hand would probably be the best way to go ( most thorough). I did stop and crawl under a 2011 the other day and looked at the slip yoke and it did have grease on the shaft in front of the seal, so apparently they have a decent amount of grease in them from the factory. I wonder if they use the zerk to grease it or if the splines and the tube have grease in them when it is assembled?
Does this thump that people are getting just come from the rear slip yoke or does the front cause it too? I would assume that the front is of the same design and it would be best to disassemble it also and grease the splines by hand, right?
Also, on the 5th gen, how many miles from new is it when the noise starts (I know there is no exact # just approx)?
Sorry about the long post, thanks again for all the help for a future owner (hopefully this spring)
Cory
Does this thump that people are getting just come from the rear slip yoke or does the front cause it too? I would assume that the front is of the same design and it would be best to disassemble it also and grease the splines by hand, right?
Also, on the 5th gen, how many miles from new is it when the noise starts (I know there is no exact # just approx)?
Sorry about the long post, thanks again for all the help for a future owner (hopefully this spring)
Cory
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