Parts for your 2014 Toyota Crown-Universal joints

2014 Toyota Crown universal joints: what they do and how to look after them

Referencing Toyota’s S210-series service literature and the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue for the 2014 Crown, universal joints (U‑joints) are fitted and relevant. Rear‑wheel drive Crowns use a two‑piece propeller shaft with cross‑type U‑joints and a centre support bearing, AWD “i‑Four” variants add more joints on the front prop shaft. Hybrid models of the same year still drive the rear wheels via a prop shaft, so they also rely on U‑joints.

U‑joints let the propeller shaft change angle as the suspension moves while still transferring torque from the transmission to the differential. They keep the driveline smooth and quiet when they’re healthy, and they’re a common wear point as kilometres stack up, especially on cars with lowered suspension or that see rough roads.

Most 2014 Crowns run sealed, non‑greasable U‑joints from factory, so there’s no scheduled lubrication. During regular servicing, the smart move is to inspect for looseness, rust dust at the bearing caps, perished centre support rubber, and any sign of sling marks from dried grease.

• Typical symptoms of worn U‑joints: a low‑speed squeak, a clunk when shifting between D and R, shudder on take‑off, or a vibration under load around 60–90 km/h.
• If any play or notchiness is felt, plan replacement. On many S210 Crowns, Toyota specifies prop shaft replacement as an assembly. A driveline specialist can also rebuild the shaft with quality joints and re‑balance it.

When replacing, mark the flanges to keep the original phasing, support the shaft so the slip joint isn’t strained, and use new self‑locking hardware where specified. It’s good practice to renew the centre support bearing if its rubber is cracked. After refit, torque the flange bolts to spec and road‑test for any remaining vibration. If a buzz is still there, check engine and trans mounts, pinion angle, and tyre balance.

With gentle driving and clean boots and seals, U‑joints often last well past 150,000 km. AWD Crowns simply have more joints to check, so add that to the service list. Staying ahead of wear keeps the big Toyota smooth, safe, and properly refined.

Popular questions

Does the 2014 Toyota Crown Hybrid use U‑joints too?
Yes. Even though it uses a hybrid transaxle, the 2014 Crown Hybrid is rear‑drive and sends power to a rear differential via a prop shaft. That shaft uses U‑joints and a centre support bearing, so the same inspection and replacement advice applies.

Can the factory U‑joints be greased?
From factory they’re sealed, non‑greasable units. If they squeak, bind, or show play, replacement is the fix. Some aftermarket prop shafts and joints are available with grease nipples, if you go that route, add a quick lube at major services.

What does U‑joint replacement typically cost?
Budget varies with approach. Having a driveline specialist replace a single joint and re‑balance the shaft can land in the few‑hundred‑dollar range, while replacing the complete prop shaft assembly is usually more. Labour is commonly 1.5–3.0 hours depending on model and AWD hardware.