is there special grease gun needed?

[LX4x4]

Yes, that’s the one. Once you have used it a few times it’s much easier to get on the zerk and it makes this task so doggone easy. The clean up of excess grease becomes what I most cuss about now.

Thanks for the suggestion, I got another spider of the front drive shaft within minutes with the adapter you recommended. Also saves time on not need to line up the slide yoke. The front spider would be a matter of time once I am able to move the vehicle.

 

[LX4x4]

I was able to get the last one (front drive shaft front spider) by pointing the fitting around 8 o clock. I tried 3 o clock but it was not able to reach or see without removing the plate. My wife moved the car until I can see it straight on from behind the driver side wheel, then the grease fitting fit with plenty of space straight on. I think that's the engineered position to do the grease because it does not need to remove anything or use any adapter.. but the lock and lube did help.

Does anyone know where / how in the suspension is making the front driveshaft expand and contract? It seems to be between two relatively immovable components but although I'm sure some play is needed, but I worry that people pump the front driveshaft until they see it expand is putting alot of stress.

 

[bloc]

Does anyone know where / how in the suspension is making the front driveshaft expand and contract? It seems to be between two relatively immovable components but although I'm sure some play is needed, but I worry that people pump the front driveshaft until they see it expand is putting alot of stress.

The transmission and front diff are both mounted on rubber bushings so with the forces seen by these parts yes there is some movement. Just not the same kind of movement as the rear shaft with the axle moving up and down.

But yes over-filling with grease can cause damage here too, as it would put a thrust load on the front output flange.

 

[LX4x4]

Thanks guys.
I find the grease that came out on the rear shaft is cleaner (just tan color) than front shaft @ 35k just an observation.

The other thing I notice in various greasing help threads, someone reported not seeing the rear shaft move after pumping a lot into the slip, when they posted a picture the drive shaft was sagging and already fairly extended, the reason it seems is they lifted their rear wheels off the ground, in that case, I think it is safer to avoid the "pump until it moves" method IMO

I did a conservative 3-5 pumps for the slip joints.

 

[Artie]

Thanks guys.
I find the grease that came out on the rear shaft is cleaner (just tan color) than front shaft @ 35k just an observation.

The other thing I notice in various greasing help threads, someone reported not seeing the rear shaft move after pumping a lot into the slip, when they posted a picture the drive shaft was sagging and already fairly extended, the reason it seems is they lifted their rear wheels off the ground, in that case, I think it is safer to avoid the "pump until it moves" method IMO

I did a conservative 3-5 pumps for the slip joints.

This is what I do as well, I do not want to over fill and hope that since I’m the only person to put grease in there other than initial assembly in Japan that it will be enough. I wish there was a easy way to know when to stop like on the spiders.