There's a lot of opinions on the amount of grease to use on the slip joints. On the u-joints, the mfr recommendation is to purge grease from all 4 seals until fresh grease appears. For slip yokes most say to minimize (2-3 pumps) or until you see slight shaft movement. Some say to pump until you see grease purge from the seal around the shaft. But you should only do that if you know the seal isn't clogged and will pass flow.
The Great Grease Discussion - Driveshafts
- Thread starter cryption1
- Start date
There's a lot of opinions on the amount of grease to use on the slip joints. On the u-joints, the mfr recommendation is to purge grease from all 4 seals until fresh grease appears. For slip yokes most say to minimize (2-3 pumps) or until you see slight shaft movement. Some say to pump until you see grease purge from the seal around the shaft. But you should only do that if you know the seal isn't clogged and will pass flow.
Yes, although it might take some flex to shorten the driveshaft a bit and push some out. Also be careful and consider potential zirk projectile line of fire. Why most people seem to be conservative here. I will say if you're seal is clogged though that's another issue entirely that would need to be addressed eventually.
Vaultervon33
New member
it also states this in the 2012 manual.
The local dealer is only using lithium grease - no moly. So anybody getting serviced there is only getting lithium grease w/no moly.
LandCruiser
New member
What about red aviation grease?
I swear that's what they used last time I had the shafts done... It looked exactly like the stuff I use to build my ARs.
I swear that's what they used last time I had the shafts done... It looked exactly like the stuff I use to build my ARs.
lithium based grease in the U joints is what Toyota uses. so use the same type grease.
moly grease with lithium is used in the slip yoke because of it long lasting ability to stay in place.
different types of grease should not be mixed so if you break this all down and install new , you can use other types of grease , but I would still use the moly grease in the slip yokes.
lithium based grease is used on many other vehicles , that have been made over decades..
the moly lithium based grease is for slip yoke splines . reason is it does not leak out very durable for that application.
lithium only grease is for the U joints . this is not just a Toyota thing. this is standard grease use.
with toyota I find it weird that the front end has NO fittings [steering] but the drive shafts do . this is the opposite of other manufactures of vehicles made in the past.
EPA does not like grease fittings .
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
If any of you are relying on the dealer to lube the driveshaft during service it is most likely not getting greased at all. I have always completed my own oil
changes etc. but since my 2014 came with 2 free oil changes I let the dealer do it. I also asked them to lube the drive shafts. He said no problem and wrote in on the work order. Before I left I climbed under the 4runner and looked at the drive shafts. They were not greased. It is easy to tell because there is no fresh grease on the zerks. I went back in and complained. They put the 4runner on the lift and a kid went to grease the driveshaft. He only had one grease gun so only one grease was used. When I got home I climbed under the 4runner again. He only greased 3 out of the 6 grease fittings. I just went and got my grease gun and finished the job. I just used the same conventional Valvoline grease I used on my old 4th gen for 11 years. My friend had the same problem of them not greasing the driveshaft on his 07 4runner.
changes etc. but since my 2014 came with 2 free oil changes I let the dealer do it. I also asked them to lube the drive shafts. He said no problem and wrote in on the work order. Before I left I climbed under the 4runner and looked at the drive shafts. They were not greased. It is easy to tell because there is no fresh grease on the zerks. I went back in and complained. They put the 4runner on the lift and a kid went to grease the driveshaft. He only had one grease gun so only one grease was used. When I got home I climbed under the 4runner again. He only greased 3 out of the 6 grease fittings. I just went and got my grease gun and finished the job. I just used the same conventional Valvoline grease I used on my old 4th gen for 11 years. My friend had the same problem of them not greasing the driveshaft on his 07 4runner.
Anyone try this grease?
Royal Purple 01312 NLGI No. 2 High Performance Multi-Purpose Synthetic Ultra Performance Grease - 14.1oz.
https://www.amazon.com/Royal-Purple-Performance-Multi-Purpose-Synthetic/dp/B002KCWWFC
Royal Purple 01312 NLGI No. 2 High Performance Multi-Purpose Synthetic Ultra Performance Grease - 14.1oz.
https://www.amazon.com/Royal-Purple-Performance-Multi-Purpose-Synthetic/dp/B002KCWWFC
I'm using that. I contacted Royal Purple and they claim the grease will fulfill both of the grease types that Toyota requires. I only have 5000 miles on mine, but I can tell you it has been done. It wasn't done at the dealership before delivery.
the slip yokes on my july 2016 T4R also was not fully greased only the front u joints.
slip yokes /rear u joints no .
ToyoDriver
New member
Is there a write up for greasing the T4R? Mine is new, but this talk about it not being done at the factory has me worried.
I cannot verify that Toyota has the same practices as Ford and Chevy, but I know parts buyers at both of those. Parts are purchased with a limited amount of grease, mostly due to cost. It is always a good idea to verify grease points and make sure they are topped off.
Don't fear, there is grease, but it may be limited and not enough for the long haul. Dealerships used to top these areas off at delivery, but we all know how diligent they are these days.
nb rob
New member
Older, but accurate.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maintenance-detailing/28414-07-v8-4x4-zerk-fitting-pics.html
Check out the maintenance and detailing subforum for other goodies.
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