Missing zerk fitting?

[DVader]

Guys,

I was greasing the drivelines and noticed that the U-joint on front driveshaft nearest the transfer case is missing a zerk fitting. Is that a built-in part of the U-joint or something that can be replaced/removed. There's too much dried grease which I'm cleaning now to verify if it just broke or fell out., but since I'm on a break, might as well tap your valuable knowledge.

As always, thanks in advance.

Rolly
'97 FZJ80 - 6M1 (best color)

 

[cruiserdan]

Rolly,


The fitting is on the side of the joint in the center of the "cross". it is on the side that faces the front of the vehicle. It would be difficult to miss it if it were still there. New joints come with the fitting already in place. I do not think you would be able to replace just the fitting without removing the joint from the shaft (which would likely ruin the joint). Toyota does not offer just the fitting so you would need to figure something out there if you wanted to try to replace just the fitting.


D-

 

[toddslater]

This thread was recently here and may be of help...might want to PM the originator to see how he ended up https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=28449&page=1

 

[DVader]

Seems like I have same situation as Carolina_Cruiser

Todd, I followed that thread and looks like I have the same situation as Carolina_Cruiser , missing zerk on U-joint close to transfer case. I'll PM him to see how he resolved the issue.

CDan, thanks for the info.

Rolly

 

[bjowett]

The zerks on my 93 are press fit into the Ujoints, they are no longer threaded... probably the reason for not being able to purchase it w/o the joint. I have some spare shafts with questionable joints, if you need a zerk, I can pop one off and zend it to you. They are moderately easy to press into place with a small prybar or large regular screw driver.

 

[DVader]

The zerks on my 93 are press fit into the Ujoints, they are no longer threaded... probably the reason for not being able to purchase it w/o the joint. I have some spare shafts with questionable joints, if you need a zerk, I can pop one off and zend it to you. They are moderately easy to press into place with a small prybar or large regular screw driver.

Brian,

Thanks for the offer. I have yet to verify if my U-joint requires a press fit type. It got cold here in CT a couple of days back and it was just too uncomfortable working in unheated garage. I'll let you know what I find.

Rolly

 

[carolina_cruiser]

This thread was recently here and may be of help...might want to PM the originator to see how he ended up https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=28449&page=1

I was able to order just the zerk plus square thing from Toyota. The part number is in the thread above.

Due to a long boring story I won't post here, the boat and outboard are still occupying my garage, but I hope to get to some serious work on the cruiser next week. My inclination is to probably go ahead and take the front driveshaft to a shop to replace the whole u-joint unless the zerk replacement looks like an easy fix.

 

[cruiserdan]

90416-06004 does show in the illustration for the front drive shaft. I have not noticed it before today when I went looking for it. In the portion that shows the u-joint, the fitting is not listed separately. It shows it in the context of the complete shaft and the part number is shown in the illustration, not in the text.

At $8.23 it is not cheap but a u-joint is $54.03.


D-

 

[carolina_cruiser]

Todd, I followed that thread and looks like I have the same situation as Carolina_Cruiser , missing zerk on U-joint close to transfer case. I'll PM him to see how he resolved the issue.

OK, I finally got to this today. First I cleaned the area where the fitting goes thoroughly.

Originally I had irrationally hoped I might press the fitting into place with channel lock pliers without removing the driveshaft. However, it quickly became clear that wasn't going to work.

So, I went ahead and marked the driveshaft position and removed the front driveshaft. (this was a big pain b/c the bolts were stuck - concrete_jungle's suggestion of soaking the bolts / nuts in PB BLast was a big help in getting them loose). Once the driveshaft was off, it was very easy to get the fitting in place. I propped the shaft up to expose the zerk hole on the u-joint and tapped the fitting in lightly with the ball of a ball peen hammer. Once the fitting was holding itself up, I tapped it in with a drift.

Once the fitting was replaced, I pumped the joint full of new grease. Apparently the fitting hadn't been missing too long because the u-joint is still nice and smooth. All in all this was a very easy job once I got the driveshaft bolts loose.

 

[toddslater]

A 1 and 3 job...that is if you drink a lot of beer...congrats!!!