My Toyota Hilux pickup truck u-joints on the driveshaft/properller shaft have years of caked on grime and old grease that just won't come off surrounding the zerk fitting with just wiping. What should I use to clean it up? Brake cleaner seems to be bad because of the potential of destroying painted surfaces nearby. It is safe to use something like throttle body cleaner or carb cleaner that leaves no residue? Thanks!
Oh and on a related topic, can I use electronic contact cleaner to clean sensor connector on both sides (sensor side and connector side) to clean corrosion? Thanks!
First yeah you can use electrical spray cleaner on those contacts. As for the grease I just get a towel and wipe it off you can't use stuff like throttle cleaner there because that's Grease and that stuff's made to get rid of carbon not grease you just basically wiped the stuff off with a towel and if you have like old toothbrushes you could brush at first to get the big clunks off
Brake cleaner seems to be bad because of the potential of destroying painted surfaces nearby
You have painted surfaces around your driveshaft?
Brake cleaner would be my top choice.
Pretty much any aerosol solvent cleaner isn't going to be great for paint, so just use a rag in your other hand to shield it from going where you don't want it to, and if it does just wipe it right away. Alternatively, spray a bunch of cleaner into a container, dip an old toothbrush into it, and then scrub your part.
Gasoline also works fairly well at dissolving grime.
It is safe to use something like throttle body cleaner or carb cleaner that leaves no residue?
carb cleaner is actually designed to leave oily residue, (which isn't entirely bad since it prevents corrosion). These products may work, but they're intended for intakes as Scotty said.
can I use electronic contact cleaner to clean sensor connector on both sides (sensor side and connector side) to clean corrosion?
Be careful. Some contact cleaners are very strong, and dissolve various plastics. The electrical connectors on cars SHOULD be resistant, but I would test it first, and remove the rubber weather gaskets first. I never had much luck with contact cleaner actually removing oxidation. For that I would use something like scotchbrite and gentle rubbing. There shouldn't be corrosion in there in the first place, so make sure it's sealing correctly. After your clean it, apply dielectric grease to prevent corrosion in the future.
I just wet down a rag with the gas I use for the lawn mower and wipe them down till they're really clean. I don't know if they make these anymore but about a hundred years ago I found a bag full of zerk fitting snap caps.
dawn dish soap
if it will clean baby ducks it should clean zerks
