Propeller Shaft Greasing for Fortuner/Hilux 4x4 (GUN156, GUN126R)

[VCheng]

The slip yoke has a defined process in the Service Manual depending on the type of shaft. For example, my UZJ100 needs many pumps to make the grease leak past the seal, but the URJ200 needs only enough pumps to start extending the joint.

(I think I made a DIY on this several years ago on PW, but I do not know if it still can be found.)

[uzeemujeeb]

sir have been following your all threads since day 1
this one is about your wrenching https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/t/wrenching-with-vcheng/219481

[ChaudhryRaza96]

Salaam bro basically i got both Revo 2020 and Fortuner 2018 and i m totally beginner for this job please can u tell me a little that from which point we have to fill the grease so i can do on my cars one by one and also tell me is there any online website for ordering grease or we have to get it from any lubricant shop?

[uzeemujeeb]

@Taimur92 very nice DIY at end of 2020 sir great sharing.

@ChaudhryRaza96 every detail is mentioned in illustration above

[Moderator]

[Taimur92]

Salaam bro basically i got both Revo 2020 and Fortuner 2018 and i m totally beginner for this job please can u tell me a little that from which point we have to fill the grease so i can do on my cars one by one and also tell me is there any online website for ordering grease or we have to get it from any lubricant shop?

Wsalam, when you go under the car and inspect the front and rear driveshafts, you will find 6 small circular protrusions. Those are grease fittings, also called zerk fittings or grease nipples. This is what it looks like:
https://5.imimg.com/data5/AI/NF/MY-40941768/hydraulic-grease-nipples-500x500-500x500.jpg

The lower threaded part goes inside the prop shaft and the opposite end with central bearing(sort of like a ball valve) is exposed and is where you attach the grease gun coupler. Here is another picture of grease nipples on the drive shaft:

This image is of the front driveshaft near the transfer case. Notice the two grease fittings. The outer one is to lube the slip-yoke, the inner one is to lube the spider joint. A picture of a spider joint with its needle bearings on each end:

See a few videos on youtube before you attempt. You will find plenty of videos of Americans doing this on their Tacomas and Tundras. Also read the main post, I have explained all the pertinent steps.

As for the grease, I bought it in person. I searched the internet but couldn't find what I was looking for. You can find grease usually at engine oil shops. Or sometimes there are dedicated grease shops too.

[Taimur92]

The slip yoke has a defined process in the Service Manual depending on the type of shaft. For example, my UZJ100 needs many pumps to make the grease leak past the seal, but the URJ200 needs only enough pumps to start extending the joint.

Nice, since Fortuner is not available in the North American region, Haynes didn't make any repair manual. My other option is the Australian manual, which is only available on the Toyota site on a subscription basis where you pay depending on how many days you wish to access the manual. However, I did manage to get my hands on a GUN126 Hilux Aussie manual, but only a few parts. Here is the prop shaft section:

As you can see, not of much help as to the exact "quantity" of grease. So for the time being I've decided to stick to recommendations on the kiwi and oz forums as mentioned in my original post.

[capsat]

great DIY, thank you for sharing

such posts make this forum addictive

[ChaudhryRaza96]

Thank u so much for your detailed instructions InshAllah i will try it soon and will share results

[capsat]

This link contain zipped folder of 148MB from my one drive (inside that is 184 mb of Fortuner workshop manual ) unzip over your pc in a folder and use with drop down menus

[Xulfiqar]

The grease for the slip joint is only a few pumps, as its a sliding joint, if you overfill it, you may end up with a giant mess.

E.g. when I grease chev/GM or Ford slip yokes with their specific greases, i apply it with a toothbrush only like instructed. It works best and longest to rid of the windup clunking.

[uansari11]

@Taimur92 Great write-up! Definitely a good idea to clean off each zerk before connecting the grease gun. This is a relatively easy job to do, and shouldn’t put anyone off. Just a hint for someone who hasn’t done this before...if you don’t see the zerk fitting initially, rotate the driveshaft...it may be facing the underside of the car.

[Taimur92]

Thanks. I went through the prop shaft section. Even though the repair manual is of a previous generation, it has been quite helpful. The directions in this manual are exactly the same as of the cutouts I posted above i.e. guidelines on where to apply the grease but not the exact method. However, after going through 2 repair manuals, various forums and reading @Xulfiqar remarks, this is what the final conclusion has been:
1. U-joint: Pump till purge. You should see new grease displacing the old one.
2. Slip- Yoke: Only 2-3 pumps. More will damage the driveline.

I Will update the main post accordingly.

[Taimur92]

The grease for the slip joint is only a few pumps, as its a sliding joint, if you overfill it, you may end up with a giant mess.

E.g. when I grease chev/GM or Ford slip yokes with their specific greases, i apply it with a toothbrush only like instructed. It works best and longest to rid of the windup clunking.

I understand, thanks. Your words are exactly what I've read as recommended till now on various forums. Thankfully I only pumped thrice in the slip yoke and stopped.

However, I couldn't come across any specific instructions in the repair manual as you've mentioned for the Chevy trucks. No specific section like there is for engine oil, transmission oil, etc in the manual. Grease application location is mentioned only in the prop shaft assembly and components section. This is the only service data mentioned:

PROPELLER SHAFT > SERVICE DATA

Propeller shaft runout
Maximum: 0.8 mm (0.03 in.)
Universal joint spider bearing axial play
Maximum: 0.05 mm (0.002 in.)
Rear propeller shaft runout
Maximum: 0.8 mm (0.03 in.)
Intermediate shaft runout
Maximum: 0.8 mm (0.03 in.)

[Taimur92]

Just a hint for someone who hasn’t done this before...if you don’t see the zerk fitting initially, rotate the driveshaft...it may be facing the underside of the car.

Great point. I did come across this issue while attaching the gun. The front prop shaft is free and easily rotatable by hand. However, for the rear one you will either have to put the car in neutral and lift one rear wheel off the ground so the shaft can be rotated by hand, or just start the car and move it forward or backwards a little bit till the grease nipple becomes accessible.

[Xulfiqar]

Rotating the shaft is a necessity as 99 times out of 100 it will face the wrong way when you approach to grease it.

[ehalin]

One small tip for people with new vehicles.

Scrape the paint completely from the tip of the zerk fitting or nipple. Otherwise it will be very hard to push the grease in or you might be pushing the paint chips along with the grease into the joint.

Usually when they paint the new vehicle they paint the entire joint including grease nipples. This happened with me on both my vehicles when they were new.

[ehalin]

Rotating the shaft is a necessity as 99 times out of 100 it will face the wrong way when you approach to grease it.

This is the reason also why they recommend engaging 4 wheel drive occasionally since this shaft does not rotate and the joints are not lubricated properly in normal 2 wheel driving causing premature wear of the shaft joints.

[drtanveerali]

Thank you for such an informative sharing. I learned and did greasing of my fortuner shaft with ease. Initially it looks difficult but quite an easy task at the end. Unfortunately can’t take pics. Only problem I faced was the short pipe of grease gun. It becomes difficult to keep the gun in air and do pumps.

[Xulfiqar]

Get a flex hose greasegun and a locking fitting.