EZ Lube Wheel Bearings

[kenw7866]

My 5th Wheel has EZ lube bearings and I am not comfortable with them because I never can tell if the grease is actually getting to the bearings. Does any one else have the same concern?

[edj]

It is easy to see if grease is going through and getting into the bearings. When you take the rubber cap off, you will see the grease fitting in the middle. All around it are little holes. Before you start pumping new grease in there, clean out the cavity with a rag to get out the old grease. Jack up the wheel so you can spin the wheel. Slowly pump in new grease into the grease fitting and spin the wheel as you do this. You will see the old grease coming out of the holes around the grease fitting. Keep cleaning out this old grease until you see some new grease coming through. You can usually tell by the color of the grease. The new grease has gone through both bearings to get to the outlet. As you spin the wheel, the grease is evenly distributed all over the bearing surfaces.

It is really easier to do and see than try to explain it.

[Ray,IN]

Our 5er has EZ-lube axles and I do not use them. The hubs must be removed annually anyway to inspect the brakes, and the bearings should be cleaned and inspected at the same time (per Dexter and Alco), so why waste time, effort and grease.

[Cat320]

On my easy lub axles, I jacked up the wheel and put in two or three shots of grease, spinning the wheel between shots...that's what it said to do in the manual. Worked fine.

[Skip426]

Grease every, 3 to 5 thousand miles, inspect brgs/adjust,brakes annually. 5 years no issues with the brgs, including my last trip with the unit 12,000 miles in 11 weeks. The EZ lube system is not to be confused with the brearing buddy system. EZ lube allows the grease to be delivered through the spindle to the inner brg and allows removal of the old grease. B/Buddy, short haul boat trailer use only, MHO ,pushes grease out past the seal, to expell water contaminated grease.
Do purcase and carry spare rubber caps; they expand a contract with grease temp and were the only issue I had with mine. If they show any cracking replace them.

[Cat320]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426 Grease every, 3 to 5 thousand miles, inspect brgs/adjust,brakes annually. 5 years no issues with the brgs, including my last trip with the unit 12,000 miles in 11 weeks. The EZ lube system is not to be confused with the brearing buddy system. EZ lube allows the grease to be delivered through the spindle to the inner brg and allows removal of the old grease. B/Buddy, short haul boat trailer use only, MHO ,pushes grease out past the seal, to expell water contaminated grease. Do purcase and carry spare rubber caps; they expand a contract with grease temp and were the only issue I had with mine. If they show any cracking replace them.

Dexter now recommends the Easy Lub system on boat trailers.