AndroT100

I need to grease my drivetrain on my 2003 4Runner 4x4. I asked the dealer to do it at the 5000 mile check-up, but the clunk I have in the brakes is still happening...thinking that the dealer didn't do it, or not enough.

Question is, what type of grease is specified for this use? My dealer says simple wheel bearing grease which is not synthetic. I have read that a synthetic might be better, or to use a moly???

Anyone know the truth?

Many thanks!

khaug

Toyota used to specify NGLI 2 Lithium grease for the U-joints and the same with moly disulfide for the slip yokes That was for the 3rd gen trucks.

I believe the current recommendation calls only for NGLI 2. I'm using a synthetic grease with moly disulfide added for everything on our '03. Seems to work fine. I've found synthetic grease (Mobil 1) is hugely more robust than regular NGLI 2 in my track car, and I'm sure it'll be better in my tow vehicle as well.

-Karl

MTL_4runner

I thought the clunk came from the driveshaft not being lubed.

It does usually clunk when you hit the brakes though.

AndroT100

From what I have read, it seems the clunk is from lack of grease in the driveshaft and/or slip joint (yoke). That is why I had requested that the dealer take care of it....of course I can't count on them. So not a problem! I'll do it myself.

Thanks for the info on grease type...I am confident regarding the Mobil 1.

I'll update on the clunk.

roadkill_db

Question for you. I had/have the drivetrain squeak in my 99 4Runner. I took it in for a oil/lube since it was about ready, and after it still did it a bit. So I went and got a grease gun and thought I'd hit the zerks again. Well they were all full (grease came from the joints), except for the slide yoke. No grease came from it, but I could see it moving. I stopped after it moved about 1/4 inch or so. Do you keep applying grease to the slide yoke until it too starts to come out of the joint? Can you over grease the slide?

Thanks for any info you can provide....Dean

martin

Mobil 1 grease is good, but there are better greases available. Check out Schaeffer's 221 or 274. As always, check the compatability of greases before mixing.

Martin

AndroT100

Roadkill, I don't know the answer to this one.

I will be doing more investigation tomorrow before choosing a grease and doing the job. I'll keep you updated.

hypnotoad

a clunk has always meant to me worn suspension parts - often ball joints

JSharp

Toyota calls for an EP grease with moly to be used in certain places. I've been using the Valvoline synthetic grease everywhere with good results...

AndroT100

Finally got to speak with someone in-the-know at my dealer.

The slip-joint/yoke and knucles get moly and the rest of the driveshaft gets multi-purpose wheel bearing grease. I am going to stop by the dealer to get the specifications on the moly as it a certain type they use.

I'll update later!

EricM

The 2003 owner's manual simply calls for NLGI #2 for everything, but the factory service manual calls for "Molybdenum disulphide lithium base chassis grease NLGI #2" for the slide yoke and double cardan joint, and regular lithium based NLGI #2 for everything else. One of them is a misprint... I'd have to guess that the owner's manual is wrong.

roadkill_db

AndroT100,
Update on my driveline squeak. It took a couple of days to quiet, but today it was wet and cool out and no noise. Greasing did the trick.
Dean

AndroT100

I went by my Toyota dealer today and with my 4runner up on the rack spoke with their head technician/specialist. He went online into their service database and printed-out the specs for the maintenance and grease required for the driveshaft and the slip joints for me. The specs require "NGLI 2 Lithium grease for the U-joints and the same with moly disulfide for the slip yokes" as khaug reported...but for 2003/2004!

Here is where it gets a bit different...he asked if I would let him leave it as it is...virgin as he put it...so he could speak with the So CA Toyota engineers as they had asked him if had any 2003 owners complaining about the clunk in the brakes and/or driveline. Seems they may want to take my driveshafts and give me new ones, or take the rig for a day of testing. He further said that filling the slip joints to the max with grease actually is harmful for the transfer case because the forces usually absorbed by the greased slip joint are transferred to the transfer case. They have had cases of cracked transfer cases because of "over greased" slip joints.

Bottom line is that he asked me to leave it as it is from the factory until next week when he will have the oportunity to speak with Toyota's engineers. I am going to put 1500 or 2000 miles on it this week on a trip...wanted it double-checked grease-wise prior to leaving...now nothing has been done...he said not to worry, the u-joints and slip joints are greased well at the factory.

Thoughts?!

AndroT100

Hello all,

I received a call from Ventura Toyata's head technician. He alerted me that a new driveshaft is being installed in the '04s that corrects the clunking/snapping problem that is felt in the brakes. He has one arriving on Thursday for my '03 Sport V8 4x4. He wants to switch them for me.

I am curious and will get the part numbers for the old shaft and the new before I commit to this. I also don't know yet if it is just the back shaft or both front and back...or only front!

I'll provide the info as I get it.

Any thoughts?

MTL_4runner

If that is true, they should put a tiny check valve in the end which releases the hydraulic pressure created by the grease inside the driveshaft. That way no dirt, water gets in but pressure is relieved to prevent T-case damage.