How the heck do you get to these zerks??

I failed at lubing the drive shaft today. Both the front and middle zerks on the main shaft are blocked so the gun won't lock on to the fittings. The front one has a bolt in the way and the middle is behind the u-joint yoke. I tried 2 different grease guns and the Lock N Lube tip. What am I missing?

 

I have to use a mini grease gun with those 3 oz cartridges. They also have a thinner coupler that fits in there.

 

A grease injector needle will do the trick.

 

Someone replaced the ujoints and didn't pay attention to the location of the grease fittings.

Actually the stock ones have the fitting on one of the caps instead of on the cross.

 

I thought that was the case. All the videos I watched made it look easy.

 

Try this

$11 LockNLube Narrow Needle Dispenser

https://www.amazon.com/LockNLube-Narrow-Needle-Dispenser/dp/B0779FK9CZ

 

Mine has the stock u-joints and the grease fittings are on the cross. I haven't had problems greasing them though.

 

I use a regular size grease gun without any issues. I just rotate the driveshafts as needed since the truck is lifted and in neutral.

 

Interesting, are you sure they are original?
My 14 has them on the caps on the rear driveshaft and the crosses on the front.

 

That's how my 09 is.

 

Bought the truck new. I’ll probably be doing the rear carrier bearing here soon, so will probably do th joints at the same time.

 

My original '17 zerks are on the cross. No issue getting to them with a proper nozzle.
Zerks come in 0 degree, 45 degree, and 90 degree angle versions as well. Unscrew your current ones and swap with ones that work for you.

 

I considered swapping them, but I don't see how I could get a wrench in there to tighten a 45 fitting.

 

this. I gave up and took it to my mechanic and he laughed at me and slid under the truck with this...

 

do we know the thread size for these fittings?

thanks

 

Yes. You Joints with grease zerks on the cross the zerk needs to point to the center of the shaft. In this case he may just need to unbolt the flange and position as needed to lube then reinstall.

 

The zerk is suppose to point towards the shaft, that seems to be your problem.

 

Lock n lube tip is a big ol honkin thing. One of the grease guns I bought came with it. I can’t say I’ve used more than 3 times. I’ve had good luck with Lincoln & Dewalt tips.

I’ve never had luck using a needle on a standard zerk.

If there’s room, you could unscrew the existing zerk & put in an angled one. Keep in mind there’s several different sizes. Diameter thread pitch metric sae.

$25 Lincoln Lubrication 5852-5 Hydraulic Coupler - Bag of 5

https://www.amazon.com/Lincoln-Elec...9150&sprefix=Lincoln+grease+c,aps,228&sr=8-11

$11 DEWALT Grease Gun Coupler, Heavy Duty, NPT, 1/8", 3-Pack (DCGG5701-3)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HG3B97W

The one time I pulled out my grease gun to lube mine, discovered my 5 lug has no zerks on the driveshaft and ujoints.