Propeller Shaft?

[pathy1217]

What exactly is a propeller shaft and how do you lube it?

[Densetsu]

In a simple case (a rear-wheel drive vehicle), the engine generates rotational power, the transmission converts this to an appropriate torque/speed, and the propeller shaft (aka drive shaft) delivers the output of the transmission to the rear axle. It's basically a long rod with one or two U-joints at the ends that runs from the transmission to the drive axle.

A 4WD vehicle would have two propeller shafts, one going to the rear axle and one to the front axle. A transfer case would take care of managing when to engage the second propeller shaft.

The shafts should have a nipple somewhere on them so you can hook up a grease gun and fill it up with lube. A grease gun is fairly cheap. Only the front drive shaft needs to be lubed on my '03, not sure about the '97. Easy check: if the shaft has a nipple, it needs to be lubed.

[pathy1217]

Oh ok thats what i was thinking. Ive never heard anyone call it the propeller shaft before so it made me think. Thanks a lot for the info on how to lube it and i will check it out

[fueler]

ya japs call it a propeller shaft... here in USA we call it a driveshaft

[pathy1217]

haha yeah thats what i figured

[Qxxx4]

how important is it to get this done...manual said around 100k kms i think, ive never done it yet and im at 124k

[tbsbiker2]

I noticed that there are a couple other Grease fittings under there as well on my 2001 when I was putting grease into the drive shaft (if you don't see the fitting just rotate the driveshaft until you see it...) Since you will be under there go check and put a few shots in the front suspension should be one right next to the front wheels (facing the back of the car) and then one on if I recall correctly on an upper joint above the lower control arms...sorry lack of technical terms but I didn't think there were even grease fitting on cars anymore!

[morefriction]

I could only find one. One the short driveshaft. Where are the others located?

[Flyingdog]

I am attempting my first major service on my 98 QX4.

The grease nipple on the propeller (drive) shaft is located in the most innapropriate spot - above the chasis cross peice (sorry for the lack of technical term)

Anone else found this? Do I need a special grease gun or do I unbolt this part of the chasis and hope i wasn't holding half the vehicle up?

[Pwnin O'Brien]

I am attempting my first major service on my 98 QX4.

The grease nipple on the propeller (drive) shaft is located in the most innapropriate spot - above the chasis cross peice (sorry for the lack of technical term)

Anone else found this? Do I need a special grease gun or do I unbolt this part of the chasis and hope i wasn't holding half the vehicle up?

No, you don't need to remove the chassis member to grease the driveshaft. You simply need to purchase a grease gun with a flexible greasing shaft (pictured below). This will allow you to grease the driveshaft without removing anything. You will have you move the vehicle to the perfect spot to make the nipple on the driveshaft face downward tho.

[Flyingdog]

HA! I guess that's what I get for buying the cheapest grease gun from Walmart ...

Thank you, Pwinin

Still got a few oil and coolant replacements to do. Probably be back here soon with more questions soon ..

[QX4ME]

Where does the old grease go when new grease is pushed in? Or, is the old grease slowly burnt during so many miles of driving?

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Where does the old grease go when new grease is pushed in? Or, is the old grease slowly burnt during so many miles of driving?

I believe the grease points on the R50 driveshaft are to lube the "slider" (for lack of a better term) which allows the driveshaft to expand/contract with suspension travel. The old grease should just be pushed out of the driveshaft and you should be able to see it being expelled. You should keep packing it with new grease until you see the new grease being pushed out.

Somebody please correct me if I'm completely off.

[nheitz]

I believe the grease points on the R50 driveshaft are to lube the "slider" (for lack of a better term) which allows the driveshaft to expand/contract with suspension travel. The old grease should just be pushed out of the driveshaft and you should be able to see it being expelled. You should keep packing it with new grease until you see the new grease being pushed out.

Somebody please correct me if I'm completely off.

Yeah, somebody please correct him. Actually if that's true I would feel much better because for years I lubed it with a few squirts. Then one day I decided to keep squeezing and I've had grease around the seal ever since. I figured I blew the seal out.

[Lars]

Just checked my FSM, no guidance on how much grease, just where to grease.

[QX4ME]

From Infiniti dealer where I bought this 02 QX4, major service includes propeller shaft re-greasing. Owners manual also mentions this. However, one mechanic lifted my QX4 and pointed along the propeller shaft saying there is no lube point; it is all sealed, the same as Toyota 4Runner. He said late model Japanese SUVs don't have lube requirement. I said then why there is such service on dealer's quote, and he said so that they can charge you.

Then I called Nissan dealer where I bought 94 Altima and 96 Maxima. Service manager also said there is no such propeller shaft lube on 02 Pathy and 02 QX4.

Therefore, I am confused.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

From Infiniti dealer where I bought this 02 QX4, major service includes propeller shaft re-greasing. Owners manual also mentions this. However, one mechanic lifted my QX4 and pointed along the propeller shaft saying there is no lube point; it is all sealed, the same as Toyota 4Runner. He said late model Japanese SUVs don't have lube requirement. I said then why there is such service on dealer's quote, and he said so that they can charge you.

Then I called Nissan dealer where I bought 94 Altima and 96 Maxima. Service manager also said there is no such propeller shaft lube on 02 Pathy and 02 QX4.

Therefore, I am confused.

That's ridiculous that a Nissan service manager would say that. Tell them to look at the front driveshaft, it's pretty easy to see the zerk fitting. Obviously the driveshaft has to be positioned just right so you can see it, but it's definitely there.

[Buzzman]

From Infiniti dealer where I bought this 02 QX4, major service includes propeller shaft re-greasing. Owners manual also mentions this. However, one mechanic lifted my QX4 and pointed along the propeller shaft saying there is no lube point; it is all sealed, the same as Toyota 4Runner. He said late model Japanese SUVs don't have lube requirement. I said then why there is such service on dealer's quote, and he said so that they can charge you.

Then I called Nissan dealer where I bought 94 Altima and 96 Maxima. Service manager also said there is no such propeller shaft lube on 02 Pathy and 02 QX4.

Therefore, I am confused.

What a load of dealer B.S. These guys are supposed to know their stuff, and they don't.
Rather than admit it, they just try to s*** you, or outright lie to you, just to cover their a**.
I have an '02 Pathy, and I took it in for an oil change last week (dealership).
I mentioned the grease point on the drive shaft to the monkeys, and the guys went under there and found it. They were good about it too. We both had a good chuckle.
Before going though, I crawled under my rig in my driveway, to satisfy myself that it is actually there. Trust me, IT'S THERE.
The Service Manager you spoke to is a goof. Go back and tell him he's wrong. He'll probably still deny it though.
Why can't people just admit it when they're wrong, or that they don't always have the answers?
In the end, it's so much more respectful.

[QX4ME]

Actually I shouldn't be confused. The owners manual clearly says that. It is impossible that the factory document is wrong. I will bring the manual to dealer, and I will be shocked to death if they say "Oh, the manual is wrong..."

I called dealer parts dept first asking if they have genuine Nissan propeller shaft grease in stock. Parts person does not know if he has it and said it is getting into a technical question. He put me through to the service manager...

I guess general purpose grease from a auto parts store is fine to use.

[alexf20c]

Where does the old grease go when new grease is pushed in? Or, is the old grease slowly burnt during so many miles of driving?

I believe the grease points on the R50 driveshaft are to lube the "slider" (for lack of a better term) which allows the driveshaft to expand/contract with suspension travel. The old grease should just be pushed out of the driveshaft and you should be able to see it being expelled. You should keep packing it with new grease until you see the new grease being pushed out.

Somebody please correct me if I'm completely off.

ya, you're completely off.

it's called a slip yoke and you're NEVER supposed to keep greasing until you see the old grease come out.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

ya, you're completely off.

it's called a slip yoke and you're NEVER supposed to keep greasing until you see the old grease come out.

Yeah, I realized that about a month after that post. I guess three squirts or so is good. My bad.

[Legion76]

I'm a service monkey at a tire and lube store. Grease fittings anywhere on a vehicle, ball joints, idler arms, drive shafts, should only have two or three pumps of grease added. Especially, if it's done on a regular basis. Pumping until grease comes out could damage the seal.

[GRNMACHINE]

I noticed that there are a couple other Grease fittings under there as well on my 2001 when I was putting grease into the drive shaft (if you don't see the fitting just rotate the driveshaft until you see it...) Since you will be under there go check and put a few shots in the front suspension should be one right next to the front wheels (facing the back of the car) and then one on if I recall correctly on an upper joint above the lower control arms...sorry lack of technical terms but I didn't think there were even grease fitting on cars anymore!

Anyone ever find the other grease fittings?? I didnt and I spent way too much time under the Path last summer.

[Densetsu]

I noticed that there are a couple other Grease fittings under there as well on my 2001 when I was putting grease into the drive shaft (if you don't see the fitting just rotate the driveshaft until you see it...) Since you will be under there go check and put a few shots in the front suspension should be one right next to the front wheels (facing the back of the car) and then one on if I recall correctly on an upper joint above the lower control arms...sorry lack of technical terms but I didn't think there were even grease fitting on cars anymore!

Anyone ever find the other grease fittings?? I didnt and I spent way too much time under the Path last summer.

The FSM only specifies to grease the fitting on the driveshaft (on the front driveshaft for 4WD, main for 2WD), as well as putting some grease on the various latches (hood, doors, hatch, etc). I have no idea what else tbsbiker2 was applying grease to.

[Pathy415]

I recently changed my differential fluid and lubed the grease fittings(zerk) on the driveshaft. They're located on the universal joints. You might have to jack the car and turn the shaft because they might not be accessible right away. There are six fittings to lube (at least that's all I saw), the two that are visible and then there's one in the hole between the two.

Make sure you chock the wheels and use jackstands!

Here's a crappy pic I took, I think there should caps over the fittings but I bought the car used so someone probably left them off.

[Densetsu]

I'll eat a couple of my words, because while there's only one grease fitting for the '04, there are more for the '99.

Maintenance section of FSM for '99 -- see page MA-24. Can be as many as six fittings. No mention of any other grease fittings in this chapter.
Maintenance section of FSM for 2000 -- see page MA-26. Only one fitting. No mention of any other grease fittings in this chapter.

Best bet is to check the maintenance chapter of the FSM specific to your year. http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/pathfinder/

[tbsbiker2]

i will attempt to take some pictures...Really I'm not insane...my 01 was built 03/00. there is a Zirk fitting up next to the front wheels. (if you crawl behind the front wheels one is facing backwards up high next to the wheel) it was covered with dirt and grease but they are there at least on mine...then there was another on (guessing on part) the front stabilzier bars? I've done this service 2 x now so not sure how I ended up with the only truck with them?

[Pathfound49]

Many aftermarket u-joints have grease fittings. Chances are they are not original to your vehicle tbs.

[tbsbiker2]

Maybe I took us a bit off topic. I have just the fitting on the front propeller shaft as in the fsm. But my truck also has a few other fittings on the front suspension

[donald]

Maybe I took us a bit off topic. I have just the fitting on the front propeller shaft as in the fsm. But my truck also has a few other fittings on the front suspension

apologies for raising year old thread. but, to actualy start doing this and checking off this maintenance item (greasing propeller shaft), i figured to make a quick video of finding that sneaky zerk fitting.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a7NUt_OAa8&hd=1[/youtube]

I know someone may have already done this, but whatever
hope it helps.

Maybe I took us a bit off topic. I have just the fitting on the front propeller shaft as in the fsm. But my truck also has a few other fittings on the front suspension

I would like to see some pix or something of these zerk fittings on the front suspension. I have the equivalent 2001 Qx4, so I'd figure the suspension setups/design should be the same. I swapped out my springs/struts not too long ago and didn't notice any zerk/grease points, but then again, I wasn't looking for them.

I have a giant 14oz. grease gun with a whole bunch of grease, and so far just 1 zerk fitting that doesn't even take a teaspoon of grease :p
So, if there's more places I can use the grease and gun then