mr. ed
Madison, SD (but usually elsewhere)
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Joined: 02/06/2002
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For almost a year I've been trying to get the front drive shaft U-joint of my 2007.5 Dodge 3500 RAM diesel greased, per instructions in the manual, but nobody has been able to do it, including a couple of dealers who've tried. Not only is the grease point extremely difficult to locate, a special "needle-type" tool is evidently necessary to accomplish the task (once you find the fitting, of course).
To emphasize the point: a few days ago I took my truck to the dealer in Perry, GA in the hopes that they would know how to do the job. I watched as two technicians plus one of the service writers all gathered under the truck, trying to find that elusive grease point. Finally, all three disappeared for quite a while. So, I investigated and found all three gathered around a computer screen in an office, evidently trying to learn what to do next.
At this point, I told them to cancel the job and I'd just live with it for now. I wasn't angry with them (they were really good people who were trying to help). I had a feeling they wouldn't be able to grease the U-joint anyway, same as all the others. I guess these new vehicles are going to be a mystery for a while until everyone gets used to them and obtain the proper tools for the job. I wonder why the manufacturer didn't stick with the old tried-and-true grease fittings we're all used to and everybody has the proper tool for?
Oh well, I'll probably just have to wait until the U-joint fails and then have a new one installed with the old style grease fitting. I suppose there won't be any warranty replacement because of failure to grease the joint at the proper intervals. Problem is, I tried to get it done but nobody could do it (sigh).
Mr. Ed (fulltiming since 1987)
2007 Hitchhiker II LS Model 29.5 LKTG
2007 Dodge Ram 3500/6.7 CTD/QC/4X4/SB/SRW/6-speed man/Big Horn edition
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Joined: 04/21/2005
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That is a standard cup type grease fitting that has been used on vehicles for probably 35 years. Yes, you do need a special needle adapter to grease them. And yes it is not easy to reach, but I have done hundreds of them. I am not sure what the real problem is except maybe dealerships have technicians instead of real honest to goodness mechanics. In fact this is standard equipment on the grinders I have been working on for the past 20 years also. Go to NAPA and ask them for a needle adapter and you will get exactly what you need for about 5 bucks.
Donn,Lorri,Max (rescued Lab)
Saigon International Airport 1966/67
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Darrell
Somewhere in the US
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Joined: 02/25/2001
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Right on Don, I've done a few myself. Maybe a good independent mechanic cold do it for him.
Darrell
PEACEFUL PATTON
"In His Grip"
A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand,
and touches your heart.
"FULL-TIMING & LOVING IT"
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BenK
SF BayArea
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Joined: 04/18/2002
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My first was on my 1973 K5 Blazer's front drive shaft. Not many knew what the heck
it was back then, and found not many still when I sold my K5 in the 90's.
Even 4x4 shops didn't know and just two knew what it was. Kinda sorta
okay, as the old systems didn't have many full time 4WD, though my
73 K5 was one of the first full time transfer cases.
You will find that there is a reason for this wacky grease fitting. A normal
zerk won't work for long. Maybe a couple revs of the drive shaft, as the head
will get wacked off.
Make sure to wipe the dirt and old grease off before re-greasing.
My grease 'nipple' is rubber tipped, but most I've seen recently is not rubber
tipped.
Here is a link to the tool and image.
http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=6382
-Ben Picture of my rig
1996 GMC SLT Suburban 3/4 ton K3500/7.4L/4:1/+150Kmiles orig owner...
1980 Chevy Silverado C10/long bed/"BUILT" 5.7L/3:73/1 ton helper springs/+329Kmiles, bought it from dad...
1998 Mazda B2500 (1/2 ton) pickup, 2nd owner...
Praise Dyno Brake equiped and all have "nose bleed" braking!
Previous trucks/offroaders: 40's Jeep restored in mid 60's / 69 DuneBuggy (approx +1K lb: VW pan/200hpCorvair: eng, cam, dual carb'w velocity stacks'n 18" runners, 4spd transaxle) made myself from ground up / 1970 Toyota FJ40 / 1973 K5 Blazer (2dr Tahoe, 1 ton axles front/rear, +255K miles when sold it)...
Sold the boat (looking for another): Trophy with twin 150's...
51 cylinders in household, what's yours?...
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BenK
SF BayArea
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Joined: 04/18/2002
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Wacked off or not enough room to get a traditional zerk grease nipple in there
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Dave H M
IL
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Joined: 08/11/2006
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I been doing it for years with the needle adapter that Ben posted.
Also i put the needle adapter on the end of a metql tube on the gun so I casn keep the needle plugged in while I pump. Then I just take off the whole deal from the gun and put the flex hose back on.
That puppy will also work on those zerks that it is a devil to get the regular gun fitting onto. Just plug the needle intothe little ball on the zerk
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04superduty
Michigan
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Joined: 08/22/2004
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i need to change my screen name, now i have a 06 3500 MC.
the greese fitting was a pain to grease with my needle adapter but i did it, jacked up one wheel on the front so i could turn the drive shaft to get to the fitting. my adapter has i think 6" of straight tube, which i had to bend slightly to get to the fitting. their is a hole in the transfer case support to put the needle fitting through.
04 F350 6.0PSD/TS EC SB
07 Outback Sydney edition
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JustLabs
Washington State
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Joined: 05/13/2002
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You're not lubing the u-joint. You're lubing a double cardan joint.
If you're looking for the fitting on the u-joint,thats why you're not finding it.
2011 Chevrolet 2500HD LTZ 4x4 CCLB Duramax/Allison
2007 Keystone Cougar 289BHS Fifth Wheel.
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JustLabs
Washington State
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Joined: 05/13/2002
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By the way,that picture is kind of misleading.
The fitting is almost directly behind the u-joint. In the picture it looks much more exposed than it really is.
You're also looking for the fitting on the rear half of the front driveshaft correct?
Its on the end of the driveshaft that connects to the transfer case. Its NOT on the end of the driveshaft that connects to the front diff.
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lesmore49
canada
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Joined: 11/25/2004
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You're lucky to even have grease fittings. Many newer vehciles don't have them anymore.
lesmore49
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