All,

I was under the 2000 4runner this weekend, greasing the zerks. First time I have done that to my t4r as I have only had it for about 6 months. My question:

as i was greasing the slip yoke zerk, I noticed (after about a dozen pumps, which I now realize is probably too many) that the yoke moved outward (extended) about an inch. I stopped adding grease and wondered if this was normal. There really isn't much info as to how many pumps are needed, and some writeups say to add grease 'until yoke is fully extended'. After I as was driving it, I seemed to notice a very slight vibration (I don't think most people would even notice it) and could this be that the shaft is now out of balance? Did I do any damage? Sugggestions?

 

Are you sure it's a new vibration? Sometimes people pay extra attention to their vehicle AFTER doing something to it when it was actually doing it all the time.
I would think any excess greasse would work its way out with a little driving.

 

X2. I've seen many people who pefer to "load" the joint up that way and never experienced any vibration problems. Kudos to you for getting under there and lubing that joint. Many people will let them run dry and all the while wondering where that phantom car is that keeps bumbing them in the ass at red lights.

 

Their should be a term for that.. 'DIY paranoia' maybe?! Yeah, I am not sure if it was always there or that it is new due to the greasing, that's why I was curious if I definately did something wrong adding too much grease and seeing the yoke expand...

 

I think your okay. As far as the DIY panaronia yeah, it's very common. It's also common to pay extra close attention to your vehicle after it's been serviced by someone else. It's just human nature.

 

I work as an electro/mechanical technician. I can say that 50% of repairs I do get me a call back saying that I broke something "while I was in there". In most cases I didn't even touch anything related to their complaint.

 

I always add grease until the yoke just starts to move. Any excess should work itself out.

 

As stated above, your fine.

I also pump mine till I notice some new grease coming out. No big deal.

 

It won't!

If there is an end cap, it will blow out if it's over-greased. If there is no cap, you'll crack your differential, as grease does not compress very well.

Unscrew the zerk, and drive around until all the excess is gone.

 

Just a follow-up, had the mechanic take a look at it and he thought it all looked normal at the slip yoke/drivetrain.. in fact he said he wanted to add a little more!

 

Some slip yokes have a vent that allows grease and air to escape when filling. The 4Runner does not. So if air is trapped in the yoke, complete lubrication might not occur. I unbolted the u-joint, removed the slip yoke grease fitting and completely collapsed the slip yoke spewing out all the old grease and air. I reinstalled the grease fitting and pumped in grease to extend the yoke enough to bolt it back in place.

I chose not to add any additional grease fearing it would cause the yoke to become difficult to compress and put undue stress on the transmission and pinion shafts.

 

Good idea.