Lubed incorrectly; should I clean with brake cleaner or wipe off?

I was lubing my slip yokes and spiders and it's a mess. The first time I did it I didn't quite know what I was doing and got grease all over the outside because I didn't click it into the zerk. Now I know how to do it but my question is should I hit the outside of the joints with sine brake clean to clean it off or is the gunky grease /dirt on the outside ok to just be wiped off best I can?

 

I usually wipe mine down before greasing with brake clean and a paper towel because I figure any brake clean will be pushed out with the new grease. You would be fine just wiping it because a U joint it not sealed so it will throw grease anyway.

 

If I were just starting out with grease guns, every one would be a LockNLube. As is, I use serval types of grease with various inexpensive but workable guns. LockNLube is always the cleanest and easiest to use.

 

I second this. Before locknlube I was always messier not getting a good connection with zirk resulting in grease outside everywhere.

 

+1. LocknLube definitely makes the job easier. On sale now at Amazon for a good price--$29. I paid $39 when I bought mine last year.

$32 LockNLube Grease Gun Coupler locks onto Zerk fittings. Grease goes in, not on the machine. World's best-selling original locking grease coupler. Rated 10000 PSI. Long-lasting rebuildable tool.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H7LPKKU?ie=UTF8

 

Any grease gun on Amazon you recomend?

 

I used this one that I bought on Amazon.

$26 LUMAX LX-1152 Black Heavy Duty Deluxe Pistol Grease Gun with 18" Flex Hose, Handy 3-Way Loading - Fill with Standard Cartridge, Suction or Bulk Fill. Convenient One-Hand Operation for Easy Greasing.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MD4YKM?ie=UTF8

Honestly any highly rated one will work fine.

 

LockNLube LNL353 with Lucas Red n’ Tacky is my primary grease gun. There are less costly versions I’m sure but this one is a pleasure to use.

$110 LockNLube Professional Dual-Mode Pistol Grip Grease Gun. Includes LockNLube® Grease Coupler, high-quality 20" hose and in-line hose swivel.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09NCFR1Z2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

Thanks. I've bought a couple. Probably cheaped out. One flat our didn't work. The other leaked pretty bad even after depressurizing.

 

I got the hang of the regular grease gun now. But at first yeah I was clueless.

 

It happens, just keep a roll of paper towels nearby and a grocery bag to put them in.

 

BTW, if you haven't read it already--here's a great article on how to lube the 4Runner propeller shaft:

https://trail4runner.com/2021/03/03/propeller-shaft-maintenance-how-to-guide-5th-gen-4runner/

 

I picked up the loknlube caps from another thread someone recommended. I like them. Fit well and keep dirt out.

$10 LockNLube Grease Fitting Caps (50 Count) (Yellow)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0779K66DW