Service Bulletin

Customer Service Bulletin
Commercial Business Group
Workman
®
3000 and 4000 Vehicles
Model/Serial Range: Model Number: Serial Numbers:
ALL 00000-99999
Subject: Proper Drive Shaft greasing procedures.
The Workman is a high capacity utility vehicle that is subjected severe load and duty cycles
in the transaxle drive shaft splines and universal joints. If not regularly and properly
lubricated at the correct maintenance interval, premature universal joint wear may occur.
Lubrication of each universal joint bearing may not always be achieved due to improper
techniques. Universal Joints with a center grease fitting are more susceptible to improper
lubrication methods. Proper procedures are outlined below.
Lubrication Procedures for Universal Joints
1. Always use a hand grease gun when greasing. The high volume of grease from a Pneumatic
Grease Gun can cause damage to the seals.
2. Use a good quality #2 EP General Purpose Lithium Base Grease.
3. Grease each universal joint until ALL FOUR SEALS ARE PURGED. Purging the grease cavity
flushes moisture and abrasive contaminants from each bearing assembly and ensures all four
cavities are properly lubricated.
4. If a seal fails to purge, move the drive shaft side-to-side while applying pressure. This allows
greater clearance on the thrust end of the bearing assembly. On the cup mounted design (4 grease
fittings), try greasing from the opposite grease fitting if a seal will not purge.
Lubrication for Slip Spline
1. Always use a hand grease gun when greasing. A Pneumatic Grease Gun can cause damage to
the seal and drive shaft Relief Plug when purging the spline seal.
2. Use a good quality #2 EP General Purpose Lithium Base Grease.
3. Apply grease gun pressure to the fitting until lubricant appears at the pressure relief hole at the
upper yoke on the drive shaft.
IMPORTANT:
In cold temperatures be sure to drive the
vehicle immediately after lubricating to
activate the slip spline and purge any
excess lubricant. If cold weather stiffens
the lubricant, the excess volume could
force the Relief Plug from the end of the
drive shaft when it is operated.
Contamination has direct access to the
spline area with the Relief Plug missing
and could cause the area to wear or seize.
Pressure Relief Hole
Slip Spline
Grease Fitting
Universal Joint
(4 grease fitting style)
Universal Joint
(Center grease-fitting style)
Grease Cavity
(4 cavities in each)
Upper Yoke
Ref: 09-01 Copyright
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, 1995. The Toro Company