Interval for Propeller Shaft Lubrication

[The Critic]

My neighbor has a 02 4Runner - he does his own oil changes and other light repairs. A few weeks ago, I asked him what grease he used and he had no idea what I was talking about. He was apparently unaware of the 8 grease fittings that require attention every year or 15k miles.

I greased all of them for him and while they were pretty dry, he was not experiencing any issues. All of his propeller shaft components (slip yoke and spider joints) are original at 186K miles, and they had probably gone without greasing for at least 20 years.

All of this makes me wonder: how often do you really have to grease these components if your vehicle never sees off-road use?

 

[Oliveoil2]

Amazing if you think about it. My 96 Tacoma (v6 4 wheel drive) has 293k and gets grease once a year to ALL the Zerks in the drive line. Still all original.

 

[benjamming]

But what grease did you use?

 

[Chris Meutsch]

I do mine on the 2016 4R every 40k or so. Nearing 200k and seems fine to me. I use Lucas tacky red as they sell it at Meijer. I do that, ATF and both diffs and transfer case at that interval also.
This time around will also include serp belt, plugs and all filters. Ready for another 40k.

 

[ripcord]

Seeing how it's probably only been out in 4wd a few times in it's life if it's a typical SUV, I bet things in front of the transfer case can last indefinitely.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

It should always be NLGI #2.

 

[The Critic]

But what grease did you use?

Mystik JT-6 HD Syn Blend 460 for the spider joints.
Schaeffer's 274 for the slip-yoke and double cardian joints.

 

[ripcord]

It should always be NLGI #2.

That's as specific as saying something should have 5w-20. NLGI #2 is a viscosity grade and doesn't tell you anything about the specific type of chemistry of grease something needs.

Edit: apologies for sounding snarky in my reply

 

[Chris Meutsch]

That's as specific as saying something should have 5w-20. NLGI #2 is a viscosity grade and doesn't tell you anything about the specific type of chemistry of grease something needs.

Edit: apologies for sounding snarky in my reply

Snark approved by THIS guy! I get ya, I was just saying what I use in all the fittings. 200k and no ill effects. Just wait till I switch my kid’s Subaru to 5w-30 to slow consumption and watch the board burn.

 

[The Critic]

Snark approved by THIS guy! I get ya, I was just saying what I use in all the fittings. 200k and no ill effects. Just wait till I switch my kid’s Subaru to 5w-30 to slow consumption and watch the board burn.

Looks like they loosened up the requirement on the newer 4Runners and you can use one grease for everything.

 

[doitmyself]

No good deed goes unpunished.