Impossible Universal Joint Grease Nipple

[RobboMC Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RobboMC]

The grease nipple on the first universal in the rear drive shaft points towards the driveshaft bolt
and is not accessable. I tried everything on the weekend. I can't turn the nipple and (of course)
the bolt rotates with the shaft and joint.
Has anyone had a similar isse and what's your solution?

I thought of removing the nut and seeing if that allowed enough clearance, but the bolt
seems to be welded to the output flange so that seems immovable.

Removing the whole driveshaft just to fill with grease seems like overkill but I will if I have to as leaving
a dry universal is inviting disaster.

By the way, what grease do you guys use in these joints?

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

You will find a number of silly little things like this with the Prados.

My tractor is the same, it is easier to drop the mid PTO shaft off to grease the unis than to try and hook up the gun.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Hey Roo. Agreed!

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

Tractors are a million times easier to work on. Especially when you get into proper sized tractors

[RobboMC Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RobboMC]

Penrite Oil seems to be the just the stuff for these cars. Last year I went right through the drivetrain from the bell housing to the rear diff and put the Penrite semi-synthetic oils through everything. Changed the car, smoother, quieter and a lot less clunky between gears and when using the shifts for forward/reverse.


I got the nipple tucked inside the body of the joint, it's the right angle shaped one right on the end facing the transfer case. I'll try and get a photo if I can't get grease into it this weekend. I have a nice little flexible hosed gun that I find very good in these tight areas but the solid head is just too long. I'm happy to buy a new gun, cheap comapred to replacing shafts.

PS ever tried changing the exhaust manifold gasket on a Lotus Esprit Turbo, Step 1 - remove engine! Prado's are easy guys.

[DGW Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close DGW]

I finshed up finding it easier to undo the 4 bolts, drop the tail shaft down and grease it, really doesnt take long and that way I knew it was done.

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

I found some nipples impossible to get too., unless your willing to get a restraining order for your troubles.

PS Roo, I wish you lived in SA.

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

I found some nipples impossible to get too., unless your willing to get a restraining order for your troubles.

PS Roo, I wish you lived in SA.

or willing to deal with an angry father...

[t303 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close t303]

The second thing is to turn the shaft upwards, almost to it's top position on the right hand side to get the end in. Three pumps and make sure you clean your nipples off with a clean rag first before installing the end. That nipple is for greasing the centre section of the cardan joint. .

Roo is right about turning the nipple upwards making it a doddle. If you try to point it sideways or down the drop of the rear tailshaft closes the gap in the yoke such that you can't get the fitting in. Turn it up, the gaps opens up, and a standard grease fitting will do it!

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

Haven't you got your own nipples yet? Or is that set not enough? Be very careful how you answer this one as the nipple owner may read it.
The Roo.

I was going to post "Yes I have a fine set, a set one would expect on a classy Grande" (are we still talking cars??), but I am not going to post that AT ALL. Now, back o the more important matter, when are you moving to SA?