Grease Points Driveshaft and Steering - Not in maintenance guide?

[brumey]

I have been searching for the Toyota recommendations on when to grease the joints that can be greased under the vehicle. I have questions for those who may have found this information in a toyota publication that I missed. I would like to know the formal recommendation and the best practice used. I no longer have ramps or a lift so, I'll probably be paying the dealer to have this done.

My Usage - No Towing or harsh use. No off-road, 99% on road.

Questions:
1) What is the OEM grease point interval or time. I really could not find it in the manuals.
2) What is a best practice for my usage? As I am paying for this, I don't want to over do it.
3) Will to dealers do this on a maintenance visit or do I have to request it each time?
4) I am somewhat mistrusting of dealerships. Is the only way to confirm the work was done to get under and check the zerk and joint for excess grease?
5) Based on my knowledge of a slip joint on a Ford truck (sealed boot), the grease is a special formular and not the common NG2. Does the front slip zire need anything special in terms of product?

I am planning to have this done about every 16K but also feel that is excessive. I generally drive 8K a year.

Sponsored

 

[brumey]

UPDATE - I called the largest service dealer in my area and asked about the schedule for greasing the 5 points on the 4Runner SR5. The advisor first say "They don't have grease points on that vehicle so there is nothing for us to do" I explained I have pictures of the 5 points and he said, they are not servicable per Toyota!!!

On a different topic, I asked about the front spoiler whis has lost a screw and currently secured with a cable tie. I said I think they have a TSB about it or maybe a recall. He said he's never heard about it but looked it up and said, oh yes, I see that now.

Not confidence inspiring for a dealership.

Update #2 - Called another dealer. Got the same comments on lube points probably not present but when I said I have pictures of them, he said great. He also indicated they would grease them for free or very low cost if combined with a oil and rotation visit.

 

[127.0.0.1]

4runner maint manual has this, but no mention of how often....

Propeller Shaft

Lubricate the propeller shaft spiders and slide yokes with lithium-base chassis grease and the double cardan joint with molybdenum-disulfide lithium-base chassis grease, and re-torque the bolt.

Only a qualified technician should perform this operation.

 

[brumey]

4runner maint manual has this, but no mention of how often....

Propeller Shaft

Lubricate the propeller shaft spiders and slide yokes with lithium-base chassis grease and the double cardan joint with molybdenum-disulfide lithium-base chassis grease, and re-torque the bolt.

Only a qualified technician should perform this operation.

Thanks for the info.

Is the double cardan joint the connecting mechanism on the front drive shaft connecting to the transfer case? If so, worth everyone noting it requires a diferent grease to the other prop shaft joints. I sincerly don;t think the dealer has that knowledge.

I am looking at the 2025-4runner-warranty-maintenance-guide.pdf posted here - https://www.4runner6g.com/ownersmanual/2025-4runner-warranty-maintenance-guide.pdf

Okay, not in the maintenance schedule where they breakdown items by mileage and time. I did find the statement your refering to in the "Explaination of Maintenance" section, page 46. What the heck.... As you stated, no mension of the recommended period.

On page 45, I see: "Drive Shaft Boots Check the drive shaft boots and clamps for cracks, deterioration and damage. Replace any deteriorated or damaged parts and, if necessary, repack the grease. A qualified technician should perform these operations"

Seems like an important task that two dealers I called said is not needed. Major fail on Toyota's maintence schedule again. Seems like Owners need to manage their own maintenance schedule. Makes me want to do my own amateur wrenching again.

 

[127.0.0.1]

refer to a prior gen 4runner manual for the intervals. for example... 2009 has them.

basically once a year or once every 10,000 is good, but you can go further
w/o issue such as every 20,000 miles.

for the double-cardan on my '99 it also specifies different grease but I just used the same grease on it, as the others, and it hasn't exploded and I use AWD on that puppy 80% the time (over 302,000 miles now) but this is my experience and not the recommended grease

the point is grease them till they bleed, and often, and they'll last forever

 

[brumey]

Great info. Thank You.

Sponsored