First grease job

[filhiol]

After talking to several Toyota service departments and getting different answers I decided to go ahead and perform basic maintenance on my 4WD 2002 myself as I have done on all of my autos and SUV since the 50's. One question, when I checked out the front propeller (drive) shaft I could not get the standard nozzle of my air powered grease gun to snap on the zirc fitting. I had to use one of my home made needle nose attachments which worked find but is not as convenient with 66+ year old eyes trying to center it in the fitting. This also applied to the rear propeller (drive shaft) with the exception of the yoke fitting. The standard nozzle fit it fine. Do they use different fittings on the cross bearings? I used Quaker State Lithium base chassis grease meeting the NLGI No. 2 spec. I did not attempt to grease the double cardan joint because according to my owner’s manual it takes different grease-Molybdenum-disulfide lithium base chassis grease to the same spec NLGI 2. I am going to set up another grease gun with this type grease. Any recommendations as to brand, as I did not see it where I bought the Quaker State grease in a brand I recognized. Thanks for your help.

[RichR]

Most auto chains are not any help on finding grease.I found a home based Amsoil retailer and use two of their greases.Also pump the hell out of the rear slip joint then remove the zerk and bounce the bumper 10 or so times to make the slip joint flex.Reinstall fitting.
I'm 41 and am starting to get the at arms length eyesight too .
Any questions let us know.
RichR

[akauth]

Originally posted by filhiol
After talking to several Toyota service departments and getting different answers I decided to go ahead and perform basic maintenance on my 4WD 2002 myself as I have done on all of my autos and SUV since the 50's. One question, when I checked out the front propeller (drive) shaft I could not get the standard nozzle of my air powered grease gun to snap on the zirc fitting. I had to use one of my home made needle nose attachments which worked find but is not as convenient with 66+ year old eyes trying to center it in the fitting. This also applied to the rear propeller (drive shaft) with the exception of the yoke fitting. The standard nozzle fit it fine. Do they use different fittings on the cross bearings? I used Quaker State Lithium base chassis grease meeting the NLGI No. 2 spec. I did not attempt to grease the double cardan joint because according to my owner’s manual it takes different grease-Molybdenum-disulfide lithium base chassis grease to the same spec NLGI 2. I am going to set up another grease gun with this type grease. Any recommendations as to brand, as I did not see it where I bought the Quaker State grease in a brand I recognized. Thanks for your help.

I use the moly grease everywhere and if you ask the dealer what they use they'll probably tell you Moly/Graphite fortified grease as that is pretty popular with shops. I'd use it if I didn't use amsoil synthetic.

Alan

[Stooge]

As for the front driveshaft zerk fittings, the grease gun standard fitting does fit snug and thus does not work. You need a grease nipple - not needle. The nipple schews on the end of the grease gun hose just like the normal fitting. It has the diameter of a pencil but has a conically shaped "point" on its end. LubraMatic makes them (asdoes Snap-On). I got mine at Sears. I now use the nipple on all of the zerk fittings - alot easier. Once you get one and work with it, you'll do the same!!

As for the grease, I use Amsoil - both moly and regular. I used to use moly on everything, but a guy here on the list that works with bearings and such, said moly was no good for high speed bearings and needles. Amsoil said moly was alright everywhere, but I'll be safe, follow the "Grease Guy's" recommendations - which actually follow the recommendations by Toyota - moly grease only goes in the splines, the universals with needle bearings get non-moly grease. I had two good grease guns anyways!!

[akauth]

Originally posted by Stooge
As for the front driveshaft zerk fittings, the grease gun standard fitting does fit snug and thus does not work. You need a grease nipple - not needle. The nipple schews on the end of the grease gun hose just like the normal fitting. It has the diameter of a pencil but has a conically shaped "point" on its end. LubraMatic makes them (asdoes Snap-On). I got mine at Sears. I now use the nipple on all of the zerk fittings - alot easier. Once you get one and work with it, you'll do the same!!

As for the grease, I use Amsoil - both moly and regular. I used to use moly on everything, but a guy here on the list that works with bearings and such, said moly was no good for high speed bearings and needles. Amsoil said moly was alright everywhere, but I'll be safe, follow the "Grease Guy's" recommendations - which actually follow the recommendations by Toyota - moly grease only goes in the splines, the universals with needle bearings get non-moly grease. I had two good grease guns anyways!!

I guess the issue is if you keep pumping moly into the bearing it builds up. Herb pointed out to me that Ford uses moly grease on their sealed bearings and it seems okay. But if you put more in after an initial fill, it's not so good.

It makes sense to me, but like I said, I know of several dealers in the area that use moly graphite grease for their general grease. I even asked each place twice a couple weeks apart just to double check.

I could be wrong, but I don't think George advises moly grease even in the double cardan joint. I thought that's what I read, but if you look through the old posts you can hear it straight from the horse. Unless of course he happens to see this thread and chimes in .

Alan