Front driveshaft U-joints greased.

[Grizzly]

I took my truck to the dealer for it's semi-annual free oil change and lube under the free oil changes for 7 years. I told them that my truck had the grease fittings on the front driveshaft U-joints and showed them the sticker in front of the radiator that describes that. They tried to tell me that there were no greased fittings on the front driveshaft U-joints on these trucks. When they lifted the truck I showed them the fittings. I stood there until they found the needle attachment for their grease gun and watched them grease the U-joints.



If your truck has the sticker in front of the radiator that says that this truck is equipped with the fittings, they must be greased. My truck is 3 years old and this is the first time those U-joints get greased. Even 5 star dealers don't know everything.

 

[ScottLewis]

There's more than a remote possibility that the Lube Tech will have to be re-instructed each time you take your truck in. That position seems to be allocated to the newest member of the shop and turnover rate is high enough so that there's always someone new on the job.



After observing the first lube job on my new truck, I started doing my own and as long as I'm flexible enough to lie on a creeper I'll keep doing it. I performed all my own service on my '98 except when the work got too technical for me.





Dan

 

[wcjp]

Posting this pic for anyone not in the know. I didn't take the pic.



#ad

 

[Bob V]

The front u-joints are NOT greesable, only the CV center is greesable, not the jounts.

 

[Grizzly]

The front u-joints are NOT greesable, only the CV center is greesable, not the jounts.

Only some truck have U-joints that you grease. I have no idea why some do and others don't.

 

[Grizzly]

There's more than a remote possibility that the Lube Tech will have to be re-instructed each time you take your truck in. That position seems to be allocated to the newest member of the shop and turnover rate is high enough so that there's always someone new on the job.

After observing the first lube job on my new truck, I started doing my own and as long as I'm flexible enough to lie on a creeper I'll keep doing it. I performed all my own service on my '98 except when the work got too technical for me.

Dan

I'd like to be doing my own oil changes and lube, but with the coupons they don't cost me anything. I do stand there and watch them and no one has told me to leave the service bay. I change my own fuel and air filters and I will do brakes when needed. I did everything on my 95.

 

[Bob V]

Only some truck have U-joints that you grease. I have no idea why some do and others don't.

Sorry, no 1500/2500/3500 have come with greeseable u-joints. Almost all OEMs have used non greeseable joints for YEARS, I remember when I was a full time auto mechanis in the '70 almost all cars/trucks where non greesable, and they lasted a long time. My 1997 had over 200,000 mi with the stock non greesable joints.

 

[JBonpua]

Napa Needle Fitting

Anyone know the Napa P/N for the needle fitting?

 

[abdiver]

Anyone know the Napa P/N for the needle fitting?

NAPA, part # 700 1193.

 

[Grizzly]

Sorry, no 1500/2500/3500 have come with greeseable u-joints. Almost all OEMs have used non greeseable joints for YEARS, I remember when I was a full time auto mechanis in the '70 almost all cars/trucks where non greesable, and they lasted a long time. My 1997 had over 200,000 mi with the stock non greesable joints.

Bob, I invite you to look up TDR member, Drewhenry and find his Thread, "How (where) do you grease this thing?". It was posted on 09-11-07.

 

[troll3193]

I have had the dealer do it three times and have had to show them the fitting every time... .



Bryan

 

[Semicrazy]

Bob, I invite you to look up TDR member, Drewhenry and find his Thread, "How (where) do you grease this thing?". It was posted on 09-11-07.

Grizzly,

Bob is correct, if you look at that thread that you just mentioned it is talking about the geasing the center section, not the u-joints. If you would like greasable joints you have to install them, one of these threads lists all the Precision Joints that will replace the stock joints. I just put them in my axle shafts. But instead of rebuilding my front drive-shaft I just bought a new one with the "grease dimple" for lubing the ball socket, as the older front shafts did not have this lube point as you already stated. I may rebuild my old with Precision greasables to keep as a spare once this new one wears out.

 

[HSpiering]

Had a thin needle from Napa but it did not work well. Had an old one for my 67 Bronco and it works great. a bit longer than the one you can see at Carson Dodge Chrysler - Carson City, NV carsondodge.com. 6th page under lubricate front drive shaft. Not sure where I bought it.

 

[Boomer1]

You would think by now those engineers would come up with a better place for the location for the grease input. With the Cad Programs out now, those engineers/designers shouldn't have a problem with design. I have been doing this work for 40 years and I see they still can't get it right. I'll say it now as I said it before, their heads are still in the clouds!! The only way I can grease mine properly is to remove one end of the drive shaft. Tried all sorts of ways but end up with more gease else ware but wher it suppose to be.

 

[RAton]

I always have a heck of a time finding that fitting. Thanks for the great picture.

 

[jelag]

Remember if the engineer at the manufacturer of the vehicle doesn't spec a grease able joint it won't be provided... . there are a lot of ways the engineers can do this... on the end of the cup in the cross...

Its just a cost issue... . no other reason. .

 

[hearingyourlies]

How do I know if this stupid thing is full? Some lube started to seep out ... but that was on the opposite side of the fitting ...

 

[masterstream]

I just undertook the greasing. Thanks for the picture wcjp, I don't know that I could have found the "fitting" otherwise. I had to jack up the front end and the job took two grease needles and a 90 degree elbow. I can't swear that I got any grease in, although I did get grease on two shirts, a flashlight, and a frame cross member. I am sure I got enough on the outside of the U joint that it will be slung all over the underside of the truck the next time I drive it. I wonder if Dodge could have blocked access to the fitting a little more with that cross member. I used to say my dying wish was to get a good piece of hickory and spend five minutes in a locked room with the engineer who first put an oil filter on an engine in some orientation other than vertical. I've changed that now: I want to be locked in a room with the @ssh*&# who thought it was OK to put a frame cross member in front of the CV grease point.

 

[AMink]

Who so ever decided on this should be hung by the testicles! With the help of the great photo (thanks!), I finally found the fitting. Pointy needle in hand, I attempted to poke the fitting. Of course, the needle dropped on the cross member. Luckily, it fell point up in a hole, thus making it easy to identify as it stuck in my finger. :{ Finally got it in, hooked up the gun with a flex hose and proceeded to fill. Grease coming out other side, fill done. Pulled needle out, but the needle came out of the rest of the piece, staying neatly tucked in the fitting hole. Crawl out, get pliers, crawl back, remove needle. As I went to lower my floor jack, the handle came out of the jack, and the part the handle goes in popped straight up. Now I can't get the handle back in the jack, and there isn't enough room to get anything with enough leverage under the truck. Had to use a screwdriver to turn the valve to drop the jack. Luckily, the jack let down easy and didn't break my arm. :-laf Oh, what fun!

 

[pullya]

AMink

Did you do both fittings while you were under there????? :-laf:-laf:-laf























P. S. Just kidding--I know just how you feel--I've had many days like that.

Jay