Access to Front drive shaft zerk fittings

[EatsManyHotDogs]

So I've crawled under the vehicle several times today after running errands with the intention of greasing the zerk fittings on the front drive shaft, and every freakin' time they are located at the 12 o'clock position, facing away from me and totally inaccessible. If the were at the 6 o'clock position, then I could get at them fairly easily. Is there some mechanic's trick to getting the front drive shaft to turn so its in the optimal position for reaching the fittings?

 

[TonyP]

Considering it's a full time AWD vehicle, just keep creeping forward until it's in position. Maybe you're just unlucky. Or put it in 4L to help the turnage.

 

[TexAZ]

Roll the truck 1 ft. Should rotate driveshaft 180 degrees.
4lo won't change the axle to wheel ratio. 3.91

 

[Yossarian]

Is there some mechanic's trick to getting the front drive shaft to turn so its in the optimal position for reaching the fittings?

Yes there is, they just ignore it. I've specifically asked that all the zerk fittings be greased as part of the LOF. Last dealer visit (Greenville Toyota) they just lied. When I inspected underneath, road grime still covering all the zerk fittings, they made no attempt.

For the DIY'r there is no trick, other than rolling the vehicle slightly to get the zerk fittings angled better for grease gun access. Of course the front and rear drive shaft have the fittings in a variety of positions so I almost always have to do this when servicing it myself.

But at least it gets done.

 

[unklwedy]

Also, there's a nifty grease gun attachment. It looks like a ballpoint pen, to ease access.

 

[LXNJ570]

what kind of grease are ppl using?

 

[TexAZ]

this should answer most questions:

Problem greasing the front U-joint of the front propeller shaft

 

[EatsManyHotDogs]

Excellent advice, thank you all. And great link to that previous conversation as well TexAZ. I looked but did not find that before. As for types of grease, the manual calls for a lithium based NLGI #2 grease, but I don't think I have that now, so I was just going to pump whatever is in the grease gun now. I figure that is better that nothing and the joints look pretty dry. I just bought it used with 120k.

 

[Sandroad]

Excellent advice, thank you all. And great link to that previous conversation as well TexAZ. I looked but did not find that before. As for types of grease, the manual calls for a lithium based NLGI #2 grease, but I don't think I have that now, so I was just going to pump whatever is in the grease gun now. I figure that is better that nothing and the joints look pretty dry. I just bought it used with 120k.

What's in the gun now? There are some compatibility issues with the bases used in grease and unless you know what's in there and confirm compatibility, I would not use it (especially if it's not #2).

 

[SWUtah]

You can tell when they really do grease all zeros I have to take Mine up to the Lexus dealer and ask them separate of any other service To grease all the Zerts on the drivetrain and after they do that it Road like a new vehicle

 

[EatsManyHotDogs]

thanks Sandroad, I just checked the gun and it's loaded with an NAPA brand NLGI#2 so I should be good.