front drive shaft lube?
 

I just hit 8000 miles in my truck and after the dealer doing the first oil change for free at 3000, I did this one. Easy enough, but I also read the part in the owners manual about lubing the front drive shaft. I looked all over that thing, especialy where the small picture in the manual tells you to, and for the life of me I can't find any fitting to lube the thing. There is no zerk. So how do you lube it? Some kind of spray I just squirt on there or something?

First there should be a sticker on the cross member that goes over your radiators telling you to lube the front driveshaft. Secondly I jack up one tire off the ground so the shaft will spin then I use the needle fitting and find the small ball bearing looking area that's about 1/3 the size of a penny. It's on the end of the drive shaft closer to the transfere case I think. A good flashlight and A LOT of patience is all you need.
Jamie

I to looked hard and long, finally found a small silver circle with a small hole in the middle. Look toward the transfer case facing rear of truck . Cross member is almost right below the grease fitting, Purchase a needle adapter at napa and force grease in hole . Good Luck......

Can someone say how much grease should go in to this fitting when using the needle? Seems like only a small amount goes in with each pump, so I'm wondering if I'm putting in enought or too much - thanks.

So does the needle adapter fit to a standard zerk style grease gun? How much? Few whacks on the handle of the gun?

el toro, you can get needle adaptor from Napa that fits on normal gun fitting, or screw off fitting on end of your hose and screw on the new napa needle fitting. good luck...

Is this what I need?

http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPage...se+Gun+Fitting

That looks like the one I use. Should work just fine.[guitar]

Anyone got a picture of the darn fitting? I've turned that thing all over and inspected thoroughly and I can't find where to put the grease.

I posted some pics on a different thread about the same topic. I'll try to post the thread.
Jamie


https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=135281

I think this is the one:
http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPage...se+Gun+Fitting

That's not it. That is a needle used to pierce or go under rubber seals. Check FisherGuy's post. That is the one you need.

The longer needle posted earlier works fine for me.
I'm not sure the other needle is long enough?

Here's another:
http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPage...se+Gun+Fitting

and another:
http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPage...se+Gun+Fitting

Thanks guys. Jmac, no pictures on that thread. Just a bunch of guys sharing my same frustration.

Just checked that thread and it's on the second page.. I was able to pull it up by clicking on the link so I don't know.
Jamie

PM your e-mail address and I can e-mail them directly to you.

I just greased mine a couple weeks ago. Even knowing within a an inch of where it should be, it still took me 5 minutes to find it. I'll know where it is next time, though!

Eureka! I found it. Thanks for those pics. Found them on the second page and just found it on my truck. What a lame design!

Having never used a "needle" adaptor for a grease gun, please help me out. How the heck do you get grease into the fitting? Do you just push the adaptor up there firmly and pump the handle? Seems like most of the grease will coume out of the gun and just ooze all over rather than making its way into the fitting. I guess I just have a hard time understanding how that little fitting allows grease inside.

And you guys were right, the link I posted is not the right needle adaptor. I'll have to pick up one of the other ones at Napa. Do any of those adaptors posted work any better than the others? There is a Napa right down the street but I'd rather not have to make multiple trips back and forth to the store. Has anyone successfully used one of those exact adaptors from Napa? Which one?

Thanks. You guys have great info for a noobie.

There will be a little spring loaded ball in the middle of the fitting of the uiversal, the idea is the grease will push by the ball into the joint.

The needle has a round ball that snaps into the end of the grease gun fitting and the grease pushes through the needle just fine. It obviously is a hypodermic needle so be carefull. The little ball fitting you push the need into isn't hard to move, so it doesn't take much pressure to push the needle into position. IMHO the job is easier to do with a smaller one hand grease gun so your other hand is holding the needle in place.
Jamie

OK that makes a little more sense. Any recommendation exactly which of those Napa adaptors I should use?

No I just use the standard needle from Advanced discount auto parts.

Jamie

why in he** wouldn't they just put a nipple there!!!