Greased my driveshaft for the first time today... whoops!... anyway, once I got to the rear, I noticed that I only have one zerk fitting at the rear of the driveshaft, and it's for the u-joint. Where the other fitting "should" be, there is a bolt with a hex head in it's place.

Should I get a zerk fitting and put it in it's place? Or is there a slight chance that my model year 4Runner ('98) came from the factory this year? My gut says no, and that I need to get this fixed pronto so that I can get it lubed up.

Also, I'm thinking I may have overfilled my front slip joint. Basically I saw the driveshaft extend before I stopped filling it. Is that something I need to address? How would I go about that?

Thanks!

 

Your gut is correct, there should be a zerk there. That being said, mine has an Allen head bolt in that spot to keep the zerk from being broken off. When it's time to grease I swap for the zerk, get it done and swap back.

Those slip joints can be overfilled and that's not a good thing, but it apparently takes a fair amount. A quick search will be enough to make your head spin. So many different infos. As for getting it out (have not done this) what if you took the zerk off? That's what's holding the grease in, right? Again, I have not had to actually do this....

 

Thanks for the reply! I don't know why I didn't think of temporarily swapping... Genius! Will do. Also, I'll totally try removing the other zerk so that the extra grease can come out.

Thanks again!