Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Front propeller shaft - universal joint grease nipple problem!

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Front propeller shaft - universal joint grease nipple problem!

    Hi, I have a 2002 Prado, last of that shape, owned since new. I'm an ex aircraft mechanic.

    The front propeller shaft universal joint has a grease nipple as part of an alloy boss that can rotate 360 degrees to facilitate getting the grease gun tip coupler in there.
    The nipple has been a bit of a pain to get the grease into it over the years, but yesterday, it would not take any grease, just spewed it out of the sides of the grease gun coupler. I tried three other guns with the same result.
    Checked that the nipple sealing ball was free with a needle, and this also confirmed there was no built up pressure from excess grease behind it. So I assumed the exterior surface of the grease nipple is worn out of shape.

    The nipple appears to be a standard screw in type, with flats to take a 7mm socket. However, it would not budge at all. The flats are the worse now for my effort , and I will need to get the shaft on the bench to get at it better and maybe apply a bit of heat to the boss.

    Before I do that, can anyone confirm that this particular nipple is in fact a normal screw in type ? Again, its the nipple that part of a rotating alloy boss in the front prop shaft universal joint.
    I can send a photo if required.

    Thank you,
    donnyb

  • #2
    Did the grease get into the other nipples ok? I’ve had issues getting the grease in to various nipples on occasion, depended on how my tongue was sticking out at the time, and the positioning of the grease gun tip..!
    04' 120 PRADO GXL 4ltr Petrol V6 4mm bushskinz steel bashplate 8Tonne recovery points Ironman 4x4 Snorkel 2” lift and other bits of fruit, ready for the next adventure

    Comment


    • #3
      Thanks Duncan. Yes, all other unis and slip joints no prob. This nipple has been difficult over the years, but even with tongue stuck out through my left earhole this time, I had no success. And a lot of excess grease to wipe away too !

      Can anyone chime in on if this particular nipple is the usual screw in type. A mate told me it could be pressed in, but Ive never come across that. And , it does have flats to take a tool.

      Comment


      • #4
        Is that the one on the double cardan joint? There is one nipple under there that has to be attacked from the top to get the joint to open up to the right angle for the gun nozzle. I can't recall exactly which one it is, but one nipple (contrary to what you would do normally, ie point it downward to get at the nipple) has to have the uni rotated to face upwards for access.
        cheers
        Steve

        Comment


        • #5
          My front shaft is nothing flash, a uni at each end and a spline. Hardy Spicer universals are $20 each so they're a cheap fix.
          My rear shaft is as Steve posted. It has a conventional uni and spline at the diff end and a double garden joint at the transfer case end. (That's the one with the extra nipple down the centre)
          And as Steve noted, if you turn the shaft with the nipple uppermost, the joint opens up enough to get a grease gun on.

          Comment


          • #6
            I use this type of grease gun, flexible nozzle. I grease my tail shaft nipples by sliding myself under the old girl, have no issues getting to all the nipples from underneath.
            04' 120 PRADO GXL 4ltr Petrol V6 4mm bushskinz steel bashplate 8Tonne recovery points Ironman 4x4 Snorkel 2” lift and other bits of fruit, ready for the next adventure

            Comment


            • #7
              My front uni joint zerk fitting is a bit hit & miss too with getting my grease gun coupler to attach positively without smearing grease due to a poor connection. I’ve just got a $75 Toledo grease gun from Super Cheap Auto that’s half a dozen years old, so nothing special. When I force the hose and coupler onto the zerk fitting with a lot of force and hold it there that way while pumping, all the grease goes in where it’s supposed to. I’m sure mechanics who have serviced 90’s over the years have the same common complaint with it too. It’s because it’s difficult to get the coupling on at a straight on angle. Usually the coupling is on a slight angle at best. So just force it on hard and hold it with a reasonable amount of strength while pumping.

              All my other zerk fittings are very easy to grease.
              2005 120 series V6 Grande, 2 inch susp lift (King/EFS combo), 32 inch MT’s, Safari Snorkel, rear diff lock, breathers, Light Force spotlights, UHF, dual batteries.

              Comment


              • #8
                I have a conventional McNaught gun but that double joint is difficult.
                Car is raised about 30mm which would change the prop shaft angle slightly and might explain why I'm able to get on the nipple from above, as the joint opens up.
                Too old to go crawling under on my back.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Thank you all for the replies and advice.
                  Just to reset my main question : Here's a couple of photos below ( I hope) to show the location. Its the shaft in front of the transfer case for front wheel drive. You can see the shaft's slip joint nipple and the universal joint's nipple where the grease just spews out of the gun coupler no matter where I position the gun or how hard I press the gun onto the nipple. I have tried several different guns I have which work fine on all other nipples. This nipple has been difficult for years.

                  The nipple is the one that that appears to be screwed (?) into the small alloy rectangular boss inside the universal joint. That boss can be rotated 360 degrees with a 10 mm open ended spanner to assist getting the grease gun at the best possible angle onto the nipple
                  .
                  I'm seeking to ascertain if the offending grease nipple (which wont budge with a 7mm socket on it) is in fact screwed into the small boss, or held there some other way eg., pressed in, locktite'd in .

                  I hope the Imgur photo links below works !
                  Last edited by donnyb; 20-02-2018, 11:40 AM.

                  Comment


                  • #10

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Yes some of my old ones were like that. I don't think the centre fitting is supposed to rotate, it's just pressed into the uni.
                      $20 will buy you a new Hardy Spicer with the nipple on the end of one of the cups, dead easy to grease.
                      Angle grinder with cut off wheel will remove the old cross. Not easy to press the cross out as the yoke doesn't have parallel sides, but cut into bits makes it easy.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by carco View Post
                        Yes some of my old ones were like that. I don't think the centre fitting is supposed to rotate, it's just pressed into the uni.
                        $20 will buy you a new Hardy Spicer with the nipple on the end of one of the cups, dead easy to grease.
                        Angle grinder with cut off wheel will remove the old cross. Not easy to press the cross out as the yoke doesn't have parallel sides, but cut into bits makes it easy.
                        Thanks Carco. That sounds like the way to go. Is that brand of Uni available at Burson, Global, or Repco ? I thought a replacement would be much more expensive.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Hardy Spicer have been in power transmission forever. I buy universals etc from my local bearing shop.
                          Bursons may have other brands, Repco.......nope.
                          I used 6 out of 5 attempts to log in, the site hasn't improved.
                          If you have future questions hop onto the Mighty 90's Facebook page, too much frustration here.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Thanks again Carco and everyone who contributed here.
                            Changing the uni sounds a good way to go for $20,00.
                            BTW, does the front prop shaft turn all the time, or only when 4WD is engaged ?

                            I don't normally do this ....but I want to give kudos to the Nerang Toyota workshop who I called yesterday to see if they knew if the nipple is replaceable, if I end up going that way.

                            They said it is and that they can tend to bind over the years, possibly an electrolysis of sorts. He suggested removing the prop shaft, stripping the universal joint , regreasing internally , and replacing the nipple.
                            I was impressed that I was given honest advice, instead of the standard "bring it in and we'll have a look". They will continue to get my small parts business ( I always use genuine oils and filters in our VVT Corolla) and will be where I buy my next Toyota passenger vehicle. Looking at that new Camry....

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Hello. I am new here. What is a good size grease gun to buy for doing this kind of work? How large a cartridge is ideal for someone who will only use it ever 5months? Is there a standard size tube the grease come in?

                              Comment

                              canli bahis siteleri bahis siteleri ecebet.net
                              mencisport.com
                              antalya escort
                              tsyd.org deneme bonusu veren siteler
                              deneme bonusu veren siteler
                              gaziantep escort
                              gaziantep escort
                              asyabahis maltcasino olabahis olabahis
                              erotik film izle Rus escort gaziantep rus escort
                              atasehir escort tuzla escort
                              sikis sex hatti
                              en iyi casino siteleri
                              deneme bonusu veren siteler
                              casibom
                              deneme bonusu veren siteler
                              deneme bonusu veren siteler
                              betticket istanbulbahis
                              Working...
                              X