2Whlin

greased all the zirt fittings on my main shaft, 96 4Runner 4WD and later noticed black spooge coming out of the drive shaft where the rear shaft slides into the main part of the drive shaft. Guessing I've over greased that one fitting and now getting spooge out the shaft? Probably not a concern, but just wondering if anyone else has experienced this before?

rworegon

Yes, it happens. The excess will get pushed out....it typically only takes a few pumps at each zerk to grease the driveline.

TheDurk

Except for the slip joints, you WANT excess to get pushed out. I keep pumping until I see fresh grease coming out. As a tractor man for many years, I have greased more zerks than most on here. My International 140 has 17 of them, counting the BushHog. Then, on any rotating drive line, you want to wipe the excess off with a rag so it doesn't get flung out all over the vicinity of the joint/bearing.

2Whlin

I was wondering if I should keep pumping it in till I saw some come out? I saw the slip joint start to move and had pumped several in there and figured I was good. I've had this 96 4Runner since 97 and this is the first time I've greased it! Alway's had the dealer do it.
I've been getting free oil changes for years now so alway's get them to grease it up fur me. There's lots of grease slung under the truck, especially at the CV joint at the top of the shaft.

SoCal4Running

Ditto to pumping it in until you see it coming out.


We have a saying in the construction industry (heavy equipment related) "If theirs grease coming out theirs no dirt going in".

My machine has 40+ fittings and all get shot twice a week.

Grease is cheap, a mechanic is not!

Mel0

I have been greasing my driveshaft about every other day for the past week a few pumps at a time and I still have not seen any grease come out of any joints. I'm trying to cure the "thump" that occurs when coming to a complete stop and then releasing the brake pedal. Should I just keep pumping until I get the old grease flowing out? Or could it be so gunked up that I will have to take the whole thing apart?

TheDurk

Unfortunately, the slip joints (which are where the 'clunk' originates) can take a max of 3 or 4 pumps before hydrostatic pressure causes the DS to become a pressure ram, possibly causing damage to the seals at either end if you overdo it and cause it to expand. The other ones you should pump until you see grease flow.

If regular greasing on the DS doesn't fix the clunk, your problem may be elsewhere--rear brakes, u-joints, etc..

Mel0

Can you please clarify which is which? What are the slip joints? I do have another issue I'll be cleaning up with the rear axle seals giving out. Therear shoes did get a good bit of oil on them, could they be sticking and causing the clunk/thump?

tantacoma

The rear drive shaft (between the center bearing and diff) has 2 pieces that join via a slip joint, which is about a foot away from the differential flange. If you have ever removed a DS, then you'll know exactly what this is. It has its own zerk near the lower u-joint.