How to Grease & Maintain 2nd Gen Toyota Tacoma Driveshaft U-Joints

[@Tacomaholic]

Tacomaholic hats now available in the Tacomaholic shop with a nice intro discount!: tacomaholics.com/shop?olsPage=products 😀👍

[@MrIrrregular]

THANK YOU. diagnosed myself then Toyota quoted me $900+ for Ujoint replacement. Just greased all five locations and the squeaky metal rubbing noise is gone.

[@dundeeecroc]

U joints are easy to replace, the double cardan types take a little longer to work with.

[@myfastcars]

Looks like there was a loose/backed out bolt on the drivers side/ rear of the transfer case cross member. Good greasing! The very front part of the grease gun fitting can be loosened and tightened. If you loosen it, it will slide on and off of the fitting with ease, Tighten it and it will grip tight like you experienced. No need to purchase any fancy expensive greasing tips.

[@PhillipDavis830]

Lock n lube is good if you grease a lot of fittings regularly. Plus it can be rebuilt when worn out when the standard coupling usually cannot be rebuilt.

[@Joshua82PDX]

I do mine at 5k interval. Red n' Tacky for the u joints, Valvoline moly fortified for the slide yoke. It's a good habit and gets me inspecting the undercarriage regularly.

[@ChrisB-rw6jy]

Whats the side yoke?

[@Joshua82PDX]

@@ChrisB-rw6jy It's the part of the drive shaft that allows it to lengthen and shorten, as the suspension articulates and moves. (Sorry my notifications are off)

[@moreclips805]

Mine were bone dry, thanks for sharing! Just got it handled for under $50. Harbor freight carries the claw attachment for $21 for those interested. Your channels becoming my go to maintenance guide

[@jesuswantsyoutopayme]

Did you feel a difference?

[@NebulousCat]

Learning about the 'Lock N Lube Attachment' made it worth the watch

[@ryank.7920]

We use the needle grease tips all the time in aviation maintenance. They are used for flush zerk fittings aka: High Pressure grease fittings. The regular fittings are of course Low pressure fittings

[@o_c_fitz]

Great video! If I might add something. I used the exact same lube and exact same lube gun. I didn’t need to remove the skid plate or heat shield as you called it. I also didn’t need to use the adapter to get to the two forward fittings.

[@johnbielenda7336]

I did not have to remove anything either........

[@badbillybrookes]

Great video. Very informative, no filler. Allowed me to do my own driveshaft greasing. Thanks.

[@sonofliberty92]

Thanks man, this helped me tackle this on my 2015 today. I didn't need the needle attachment as I was able to squeeze the regular tip in the 2 front ones but I did go ahead and buy the Milton gun and the Lucas grease. Was a little messy and the grease that came out was black. Just bought the truck last year with 36k on it and I'm guessing it was overlooked for the past 7 years. I'll be adding this to my maintenance check list every 5 or 10 thousand. Thanks again. Subscribed.

[@Tacomaholic]

Glad to hear it helped and that you were easily able to access all of those zerk fittings. That first one on my truck is a PITA.

[@123dwd]

thanks, very helpful! just one comment, @ 2:46 'remove heat shield' - i was able to access the zert from the passenger side, shield removal was not necessary.

[@Tacomaholic]

Nice! Guess I didn't look at mine close enough.

[@freddyt86]

Great tutorial. Saved me plenty of money vs taking it somewhere in hopes that it would get fixed. Cost me $35~ for a grease gun and grease.

[@kylem3944]

Brian thought I'd drop a follow-up review... I got the lock and lube attachment and the needle attachment for my grease gun to do this job. For the front two zerks, I couldn't get the needle to sit properly. So believe it or not but I was able to use the lock attachment on all 5 zerks and was it ever easy. Thanks for the recommendation! I definitely needed the grease!

[@deerphoria4314]

For the front two zeros which position did you have it so that you can fit the attachment to it?

[@vladkalina69]

I understand that U joints with grease fittings are serviceable a large number of people will forget or not know that U joints need to we greased regularly. I saw on a blog that someone believed that the non servicable joints were actually more likely or better choice over a longer period of time. Yet on 4 x4 trucks factory installs greaseable joints. My little brain is now full to go away and reflect on such difficult choices when it comes to installing new U joints.

[@keithdavis3411]

Got a lock n lube grease coupler 2 Worth every dime

[@Tacomaholic]

Love mine

[@im_caiman4479]

4:29 What is that backed out bolt on your cross member?

[@Tacomaholic]

That's 1 of 4 bolts that hold the skids to the crossmember.

[@willis9542]

The one in the very front. I’ve tried 2 grease guns and both of the fittings are too big to be able to fit onto the nipple. The 3 In the back were easy but the one in the very front is impossible to fit unless there’s smaller fittings that can fit I. There

[@Tacomaholic]

Mine's the same way. The only way I've been able to grease it is using one of these ( amzn.to/3Jxk619 ) and tapping it into place carefully with a hammer. I still have to shave part of that piece I linked to in order for it to fit in that tight area.

[@donhawthorne8864]

Great video. Ordering the parts to do this myself. Thanks!

[@craigdixon4113]

Thanks, I did mine recently. But, I missed one in the front, so if you miss one you didn’t finish the job properly. Thanks, I’ll just get that one now.

[@scooter041031]

Who's the Jackass that keeps disliking your videos. BS good job on explanation and what not for those that are not mechanically inclined!

[@trevorfroese4534]

Someone who will never have a Tacoma. So they be hating, probably over paid on a Dodge Dokota...

[@Tacomaholic]

Lol thanks man! I swear I could discover the cure for cancer and make a video about it and a few people would still give it the ol thumbs down. 😀

[@davidlopanful]

@@Tacomaholic I really wish you could. Too many people I know who have been mangled by this (these) diseases, including my wife. Your vids are really great.

[@TheTigerBlitz]

Thanks for this. It helped me out greatly. The coupler is definitely worth it.

[@efil4kizum]

does this video show what to do to check torque specs on the flange yoke(s) ... working with a 2o11 single cab Taco AT 4cyl 4wd

[@Tacomaholic]

No this just covers greasing the zerk fittings. The torque specs can be easily found online though.

[@hisWACness]

I know this is an old video, but THANK YOU. I just picked up my first Tacoma, a 2007 TRD Sport with 177K miles. Super clean truck, but I have no idea if the previous owner did this. Will be greasing everything this weekend. I have lots of Mystik No2 JT-6, will that suffice? I think it's a lithium grease. Thanks again!! Subbed for sure.

[@Tacomaholic]

Thanks for watching! Just make sure the grease is spec'd as NLGI#2

[@dundeeecroc]

Nice job, well edited video.... Question? why is your truck on the underside free of rust? on the welds etc I had 3 2nd gen tacomas all were TRD offroad models, 2007, 2012 and 2015. I no longer have them, two had their frames replaced for free, still the new frames rusted in a year... I assume they all come from the same batch of frames made the first time... and I reside here in Annapolis. I currently daily drive my clean 1985 4runner SR5 5 speed.

[@Tacomaholic]

I regularly hit the undercarriage with Fluid Film ( amzn.to/33Sy0ta ) which helps prevent rust.

[@singletrackftw]

My grease gun didn’t need any additional attachments to hit all the awkward zerks. Great video!

[@Tacomaholic]

Nice! Got a link to the grease gun you are using?

[@singletrackftw]

Tacomaholic no, I bought it from Home Depot. I believe it’s a NAPA gun but I could be wrong. And the fitting at the end of the flexible hose looks just like yours!

[@alexandercruz48]

thanks for this video. Im hearing a chirping boise when i drive, thinking uts the u joints based on what ive heard from tacomaworld (feel free to give your opinion). Your video made this so easy to follow

[@Tacomaholic]

I guess it could cause a chirping noise if it's been a long time since they were greased. Let me know if it goes away after greasing the zerk fittings.

[@alexandercruz48]

@@Tacomaholic I'll keep you updated! Thanks

[@derek_406]

How about Brakleen to clean zerks? Also, can you just use the needle adapter on all the the zerks?

[@Tacomaholic]

Brakleen would probably work fine. Needle can be used but it pumps the grease slower compared to the regular attachment.

[@carsandguitars7064]

Sometimes its easier to remove the grease gun from the zerk by twisting it sideways as opposed to pulling it straight off.And the more use the grease gun gets the easier it is to put on and off the grease fittings.Your grease gun looks brand new.

[@Tacomaholic]

Yeah it's probably about 6 months old.

[@lane4574]

Definitely right outta the box....It has an adjustment for tightness with threads. This new Generation is killing me....lol

[@yohkodevilhunter8292]

I was taught to grab the nozzle on the end of the grease gun hose and "bend" or tip it to one side and it pops off the zerk.

[@yohkodevilhunter8292]

@@lane4574 He is a Longhorn after all, just as bad as a Texas Aggie. LOL!

[@J_Dukes]

My truck was sitting for a while and now the steering wheel is stiff to turn any ideas

[@svc4yokid]

New camera looks great man! Such an easy mod that many forget to do.

[@ramongonzalez1303]

Thanks again for all your videos) 2005 4x4 manua access cab 4.0 love it)

[@josephlahood4647]

Tonight Spring and Fall but i want to make sure i got all 3 in rear I thought I only counted 4 total but my math sucks. Crawling back under tomorrow

[@SWZ32TT]

What size are the fittings?... in case one snaps.... nobody seems to know.... asking for a friend.

[@bnelson9533]

Excellent video. I am definatly getting one of those needle grease gun hose tips. Have you done one on changing the spark plugs yet. Im at 30k miles but its a 2013 and I haven't changed them yet, she feels like she needs it.

[@Tacomaholic]

Thanks man! Spark plug video coming soon.

[@thomasreyes6922]

I greased my drive shaft when i changed the diff oil. i with i would have known about the lock n lube. what a pain in the ass trying to remove the gun off the fitting

[@Tacomaholic]

I hear you. That Lock N Lube attachment is amazing. Easily worth the price for the stress-free work.

[@stevendivine97]

I own a 2011 Tacoma 4 door 4x4 there is a noise coming from the rear end . I changed the diff oil and greased the u-joints still have the noise . Anybody got any suggestions

[@Tacomaholic]

Spraying some Fluid Film on the leafsprings might help.

[@jacob4155]

What about the slide Yoke?? Requires a different grease. Do i need to different grease guns too??

[@glennstock4573]

Awesome video, just ordered your recommend parts for it. Now I have to remember how to take my skids off!

[@Tacomaholic]

You should be able to get all the zerks with the skids still on. 👍

[@glennstock4573]

@@Tacomaholic all five points?

[@Tacomaholic]

Yessir. The forward most 2 will be the hardest to get to ... but you can easily rotate that propeller shaft to get them into the best position.

[@deerphoria4314]

I have a 2nd gen Tacoma 4dr 4x4 automatic. Do you have videos on how to grease the upper/lower control arms and tie rods. Does leaf springs need greasing, is there a zerk for it? My car is all stock.

[@Tacomaholic]

I don't think the stock control arms have zerks that can be greased. The stock leafsprings definitely don't, but for those you can spray down the entire assembly with some Fluid Film ( amzn.to/3hgfilG )

[@squint0241]

Great video 😎👍. I bought the DeWalt electric grease gun just for this project. Saves a ton of time and effort. Keep the videos coming 😎🤙

[@Tacomaholic]

I bet having the Dewalt makes this stuff a breeze.

[@Mr.Walker994]

Electric grease gun? Now I've heard it all.

[@jasonlavender4430]

I work construction and battery operated grease guns are the way to go, also use it on my 2013 Tacoma.

[@blackackcl]

More Seinfeld references and dirty jokes please! Lol, love your vids man

[@Tacomaholic]

Ha ha thanks buddy! I've got tons of Seinfeld and other movie/TV culture to squeez in the vids.

[@arturosanji]

Next mod, dual battery! Great video

[@trevorfroese4534]

Whoa that would be intense or a group 31 AGM, except they are 70+ pounds.

[@marcuscokain8771]

Great vid. Did you ever find out the results of your oil test back in November?

[@Tacomaholic]

Thanks buddy! Yeah I need to go over those in a vid still.

[@mikethomas3498]

Great video. I did mine today. I would also like to do my front area lubes that most oil change shops due. Do you have a video for that? Is it the same grease? Thanks

[@Tacomaholic]

Thanks Mike! Specifically which front area parts were you talking about?

[@OneMidEvilKnight]

I was looking on my 2015 off road and they do not have those on my drive shaft.

[@Tacomaholic]

What trim is your Tacoma?

[@kevinr4700]

Why does the the zerk near the rear differential have a different fitting in my 2010 Tacoma that the other 4? Just did the other four and can’t figure it out, grease gun does not fit it.

[@Tacomaholic]

Maybe an aftermarket replacement for one that broke.

[@Spurphy]

Don’t they recommend to “re-torque” the propellor shaft as well? You have a video on that?

[@Tacomaholic]

No I don't.

[@svc4yokid]

You can also park and chalk tires and shift to neutral to rotate the drive shaft if needed.

[@70Marc]

No you can’t. One tire has to be off the ground, like he said.

[@davidlopanful]

What kind of gloves (not the usual disposable kind) are you using?

[@Tacomaholic]

I use something like this usually: amzn.to/2HTFZJN

[@fartknocker0308]

Is the process the same for 3rd gen tacos?

[@Tacomaholic]

Yeah it should be similar if not identical, just not sure if the J hooks would be the same size.

[@fartknocker0308]

@@Tacomaholic You're doing the Lord's work. Thanks man.

[@frdwd6]

Anyone have an opinion of the best grease gun or all they all the same? ( A newby mechanic)

[@Tacomaholic]

I recently grabbed this one and love it, but there are plenty of good options out there. amzn.to/39rrV6q

[@frdwd6]

@@Tacomaholic Thank. I’m a gal and your video makes it look easy, so I’ll give it a try. Beats giving the dealer my savings LOL. I’ve a 98 Tacoma limited 80k miles

[@Tacomaholic]

@@frdwd6 Always good to save some money by doing maintenance items yourself. 👍

[@frdwd6]

@@Tacomaholic well I purchased the supplies but now see how you are not to over fill the yokes with grease. Sounds like something I would do 🙄 . Darn it. Might as well give the dealer my stimulus money.

[@larrykates3910]

After your Lyft what other kind of mods to do to the front to get your CV angle so perfect

[@Tacomaholic]

If you do a 2-3" suspension lift up front it will keep the CV axles in a decent spot where they won't wear out as much.

[@jamesthefisherman1060]

My 2018 SR 4x4 doesn’t have zerks on the rear drive shaft

[@Tacomaholic]

I guess Toyota changed that up for the 3rd Gens.

[@gtnoslp]

Great video ! Not sure if I agree on pushing the grease beyond the seals. You could damage the seals and allow debris that you run your truck through and allow it to enter and contaminate the bearings.

[@Tacomaholic]

Thanks for watching Dan. My Haynes Manual says to pump the grease until you can see it push out like that.

[@gtnoslp]

@@Tacomaholic ok

[@gtnoslp]

@David Cline k

[@Mtnsunshine]

Thank you for this, but have you made an additional video showing how to actually use the needle attachment? That one looks like it might be trickier than the traditional kind. Any tips on how to properly use the needle attachment would be most appreciated. I’ve had mechanics grease the zerks in the past, but would like to do it myself, as I do my own oil and spark plug changes. Great camera work here, btw. ( My Tacoma is a 2006. Love it and it is still going strong with almost 200,000 miles on it. 👍)

[@Tacomaholic]

For the needle attachment you just need to make sure it's pressed firmly against the center of the zerk fitting.

[@jhz55]

I had to get a needle attachment for my 2015 Tacoma. I went all out and got a Ryobi electric grease gun, it made the job SOOOOO much easier. good luck!

[@3lynyrd]

Another great how to video ,thanks B !

[@Tacomaholic]

Thanks buddy!

[@roughtk]

Hey, thanks again for the video, got a question, I dont see a Zerk fitting on the u-joint just behind the front (the one that has the shield over it, rotated it around fully and dont see a zerk anywhere....are there some that dont have the fitting?

[@Tacomaholic]

What year and trim is your Tacoma?

[@overdriveoutdoors7545]

@@Tacomaholic 2015 TRD off road dcsb

[@Tacomaholic]

@@overdriveoutdoors7545 There's got to be a zerk on it then if it's the factory driveshaft. Have you removed the shield to get a better look?

[@overdriveoutdoors7545]

@@Tacomaholic yes

[@Tacomaholic]

@@overdriveoutdoors7545 Yikes, hope it didn't break off.

[@p3teytran]

Awesome video. I didnt even realize I had to do this for my tacoma. Is it different for a offroad prerunner 2wd?

[@Tacomaholic]

I'm not 100% certain but I believe the 2wd Tacomas have less zerk fittings to grease since there isn't a front driveshaft.

[@stever8822]

Any issues using the Lucas Oil Green rather than the red?

[@Tacomaholic]

Should be fine as long as it meets the specs which if I remember correctly is NLGI #2.

[@savage8879]

Bruh this fixed my annoying squeaking from the rear. Not all heroes where capes!

[@Tacomaholic]

😂

[@PhillipDavis830]

I do mine every 5k. I like to keep them greased so they don't wear prematurely.

[@scottsteibel]

Thanks

[@hydefamilylightshow]

The bolt on mine snapped when i tried to take the heat shield off what type of bolt is it.

[@Tacomaholic]

10mm head if I remember correctly. The parts department at a Toyota dealership will have them.

[@hydefamilylightshow]

@@Tacomaholic how should I get the part that is still in there out

[@Tacomaholic]

@@hydefamilylightshow A bolt extractor set like this should do the trick: amzn.to/3zWrxKN

[@hydefamilylightshow]

Well the head broke off and came off the thread s are still in the nut on the top side

[@Tacomaholic]

@@hydefamilylightshow Ah if the head broke off then a screw extractor should be able to grab it: amzn.to/3oSXQnB

[@treyd6904]

The grease in my gun is red can you use any red grease

[@Tacomaholic]

Color shouldn't matter as long as it's the correct spec. NLGI#2 if I remember correctly.

[@treyd6904]

@@Tacomaholic crap

[@grampa_ahah]

Thanks. Awesome work.

[@stoge420]

Any issues if I use the green luces grease ???

[@Tacomaholic]

Never heard of that.

[@JesseRizo]

Great video man!!!!!!

[@francisgabagat2291]

Cannot find any of these grease points on my 2011 Tacoma Prerunner 4.0. Can anyone confirm?

[@Tacomaholic]

A few people have mentioned that. I guess Toyota used different non-greasable driveshafts for some of the other Tacoma trims.

[@goodkao]

Thank you so much. It helps me so much. 👍👍👍

[@vladkalina69]

Skill testing questions. You have grease fittings on your U joints. My two wheel drive 2.4 L Tacoma has none. Question number one: Did you change U joints so you now have greaseable U joints? Question number two: Which is a better choice factory non greaseable U joints or greaseable? Question number three: What is Toyota saying in installing non greaseable U joints? Yes you can call a friend.

[@Tacomaholic]

Greetings! #1 These are the factory U-joints that came with the truck. #2 I suppose it depends on how long the factory U-joints last which is probably pretty long. #3 Have to check with a dealership about that one.

[@rickiedecuir9909]

@@Tacomaholic My 07 Tacoma has no grease fittings on the drive shaft either, do some Tacoma's come with and some without? I find this a little strange as that would make the joints Teflon?

[@Tacomaholic]

@@rickiedecuir9909 Some U-joints aren't greasable but I didn't think Toyota had a variety on what they put on the Tacoma.

[@rickiedecuir9909]

@@Tacomaholic I was surprised to noticed that the truck didn't have grease certs as I do my own maintenance oil changes ECT, I'm going recheck it but I'm fairly sure I didn't see any way to lube the drive shaft, thanks for getting back to me, btw good video, good day to ya.

[@rickiedecuir9909]

@@Tacomaholic One more question if you don't mind, have ever heard of something called driveline warp? I'll be stopped at a stop sign or red light and my truck will sort of jerk forward a little like you would have the tranny in neutral and shift it to drive making the truck want to go forward, I've presented the question to another Tacoma enthusiast but he had no answer on the subject, it doesn't seem to be any kind of a problem so I just thought I run that by you to see if you've ever heard of this before, thanks I appreciate any feedback.

[@justinhouldson6721]

Anybody know the thread diameter for these? I tried 1/4” it’s too big

[@Tacomaholic]

For the zerk fittings?

[@95Eg6SoCal]

Any other parts that need to be greased?

[@Tacomaholic]

Aftermarket upper control arms typically need to be greased.

[@tripleminthehouse]

Excellent vid...much help. Thanks!!

[@Rob-pb8tp]

Great vid, as usual B! Thsnks!

[@carsandguitars7064]

I do mine around 1000 to 1500 miles.

[@tacoma_jon]

Definitely a good idea to grease your shaft

[@Tacomaholic]

I see what you did there.

[@dundeeecroc]

That's what SHE said!

[@CABIX_81]

What recommended grease do u use? I didnt grease mines since i bought it in 2014

[@Tacomaholic]

Double check in your Tacoma manual, but for my 2014 TRD Offroad Toyota recs a lithium-based NLGI#2 grease. I use this one: amzn.to/2TKhgsU

[@saychao22]

Tacomaholic do you think the Valvoline vv633 will be okay? I would like to avoid buying another grease gun when I am already using an existing grease gun to grease my spc UCA.

[@johndaniels9751]

What is grease and what does it do?

[@Tacomaholic]

It's used to add volume to hair. 😀

[@CosmikDebrisFZ]

Tacomaholic More hair gel!!😁 Great video bro and remember. The new inappropriate is appropriate😬

[@edgarmoreno3748]

Yeah!!! First one👍🏼

[@edwardmcdermott9948]

grease them often and save yourself major repairs later on I use mobile one synthetic grease !!!! it's easy to do !!!!

[@joshssauce]

Ruined my carhartt jacket doing this last month

[@Tacomaholic]

Ha ha got some grease drippage? I got a few new stains on my work jeans.

[@Mr.Walker994]

Try dumping brake fluid all over your brand new snap-on jacket on day one. Ran for the sink as fast as I could, but it was never the same...

[@treyd6904]

Tacoma word says type doesnt matter some people use multipurpose

[@NotTodayBud]

How freaking weird. I was at the hardware store looking at grease guns and grease for my U-Joints and I thought "I should ask Tacomaholic to make a video about this".

[@Tacomaholic]

My psychic powers are strong. 😀

[@JoshsGameClub]

I have bigger grease streaks on the body of my cab :P

[@timfrancis6774]

Ok so no inappropriate jokes from you, but that doesnt mean i cant take over for you

[@TreyPerryWx]

Just ordered all of it lol

[@runDATrun6]

Am I the only one with zero fittings?? I have a 2017 Trd off road

[@TheThewulasvegas]

I feel like you were in the military.

[@Tacomaholic]

Military brat. 😀

[@70Marc]

You never showed how that needle bearing thing works.😡

[@ChadMc74]

grease gun has a threaded tip, no need to buy that fancy expanding unit.

[@LordZorak11]

More perverted comments.

[@stryker4240]

You can partially unscrew a normal grease gun fitting to adjust tightness on the tip so it lets go of the nipple easier once your done squirting 😆