U Joint Zerk Clogged

[Neuner]

Went to perform the typical maintenance of greasing the drivetrain and found one of the Zerk's on the U-joint to be clogged.

Cleaning it in place didn't work so I thought I'd try to remove it. Of course it's funky tight quarters and can't seem to get a socket on it.

Any suggestions? Seem some videos about putting a blow torch on it for about 30 seconds but would rather remove and clean it if possible.

 

[iwashmycar]

Easiest way of you can’t rotate it to an accessible angle is to probably drop the shaft and tinker with it.

 

[toyuda]

They also sell a tool you can fill with penetrating oil, attach to the zerk like a grease gun and tap with a hammer to dissolve and push out the dried grease and dirt causing the clog. Never used one but I’ve seen them online. If access is a problem this may not be a good option.

 

[Patassa]

Are you using the needle point on the grease gun? Usually works for me.

 

[Mike NXP]

How did you try to clean it?

Using an Awl or something small and pointy you should be able to press in the center and get the spring to do its thing ...If its totally seized up using that method than I'm not sure the best way to remove and replace, haven't had to do that yet on this rig .

 

[Neuner]

They also sell a tool you can fill with penetrating oil, attach to the zerk like a grease gun and tap with a hammer to dissolve and push out the dried grease and dirt causing the clog. Never used one but I’ve seen them online. If access is a problem this may not be a good option.

Never heard of that. I'll have to search for one.

If not, I'll try dropping that end of the drive shaft.

 

[2001LC]

Replace the spider (AKA: U-joint) with OEM. Make sure it's grease zerk oriented in same direction as others on propeller shaft (AKA: drive shaft).

It's been ~15 years since I've R&R a spider. As I recall. The OEM spiders grease zerk. Is not removable.

Note: The slide yokes grease zerk, is replaceable.