I do have EZ lube, but always wondering if I should leave same space in dust cup for grease expansion from heat or will the rubber center plug take care of this expansion ? Sometimes center of the plugs are pushed out, but hold never fall out. THX
Great video guys! If Dexter still recommends to repack yearly, exactly what is the purpose of the E-Z lube system than providing one doesn't exceed 12, 000 miles? Cheers
I have a single axle cargo trailer that has ez lube hubs and put grease in annually exactly as instructed by the manufacturer. This trailer is 23 years old and I’ve never replaced the bearings or grease seals. I live in northern Ohio, It’s been down south to Texas a few times and out to New York many times. Seals and bearings are still in n great shape. This spring, I’m gonna take it apart, I inspect it, replace the seals, and hand pack. If the bearings still look good, I’m not changing them. Thanks for the video.
From a mechanics point of view I would say that removing the bearings, cleaning and repacking is best. But most consumers don't have the equipment or knowledge to properly clean and repack wheel bearings so they are actually getting more contaminants in the hubs and bearings than they would if they just used the Dexter easy lube.
Repacking bearings by hand is not a simple task that everyone can do well. Oftentimes, more harm is done than good. Following the simple procedures for E-Z Lube will get the job done just fine.
Jack, thanks for joining the conversation! I will say I agree that repacking bearings is no easy task. However, even with the E-Z lube system, Dexter still advises to repack the bearings every 12 months or 12,000 miles.
We have a Coachmen Catalina with the Dexter E-Z lube wheel bearings. So far, I haven't experienced any issues. I will say that I take my time. Probably 20 minutes a wheel. I pump in 2 or 3 shots of grease while I'm spinning the wheel and do this for about a minute. I repeat the process until I start to see the dirty stuff coming out. I think what happens in some instances is that people rush to do it and keep pumping and pumping grease and not taking the time to keep spinning the wheel. The very first time I did it, I must have used almost 3/4 of a tube of grease on each wheel. They must have been real dry when shipped from the manufacture. Now 8 or 10 pumps and I start to see the old stuff oozing out. I stop then and move on to the other wheel.
You need a special tabbed-washer if you take the nut off. there is no cotter pin on EZ Lube. The Seal is real fussy on placement. too far in and you grease the drum 😒 I just pumped grease until I saw fresh grease (old grease changes color). Also Spin the wheel some while greasing for even distribution.
Like the saying goes..."You can do it the easy way, or you can do it the right way". The ez lube system is convenient, but is not optimal because you can't inspect the bearings, hubs, or drums without disassembly.
Keep trying to pump them full and I’ll keep taking your money!!! They are only there to add a little fresh grease very very slowly between repacking and changing seals…
I would not recommend using the easy lube system. If your seal is worn you will not only pack the bearings....your will get grease all over the brake shoes.
I have forest river wildwood 4 years old been using grease zero on mine since new. In October had major fail on rear tire. Bearing came apart and ruined wheel,tire back plate and hub. Spent over $350 to fix. Pulled other three off and bearing shot and no grease on them. System is worthless.
Bearing buddies aren't for greasing bearings. They are for maintaining a slight positive pressure on the hub. Unscrew the zirk off spindle and only install it for greasing. Pull guts out of bearing buddy and install zerk when you need to grease.
Fattie, thanks for joinging in on the conversation. We apologize if we weren't clear. We're not against that E-Z lube system. We simply don't want consumers to forgo getting their bearings packed in place of using the system. After all, Dexter even recommends to repack the bearings every 12 months or 12,000 miles.
You can’t beat the Dexter E-Z Lube axles. You just pump grease through it until the new grease comes out. I use a different color so you know when the new is pumped all the way through.
Thanks for joining the conversation, Andy! We have no quams with the E-Z Lube system, Some people love it, some people hate it. But we don't want consumers to forgo packing their wheel bearings in place of this. Be careful mixing grease. Per Dexter, CAUTION: Do not mix lithium, calcium, sodium, or barium-complex greases due to possible compatibility problems. When changing from one type of grease to another, it is necessary to ensure all the old grease has been removed.
Just bought a used boat trailer with ez lube. Bought new hubs with bearings and pre greased. I tried to top off the grease and it only came out at the inner bearing and proceeded to blow out the brand new seal. I had to reorder a new seal. I noticed that there is only one hole at the back of the axel that grease is supposed to come out. NO grease gets to the outside bearing, it all bunches up against the seal and out it comes so don't think you are greasing all your bearings with this gimmic. Just hand pack them or take them to a country person and pay them to do it for you. EZ Lube not only does not work, for the uneducated it could lull you into a false sense of well being. I know now why Dexter wants you to service their ez lube bearings the way regular bearings are done.
I have the Dexter E-Z Lube on our travel trailer and I agree with the boys as it failed. I changed my brakes with a new back plate with all the brake components on it from Dexter, New drums, new Timken bearings. The seals were double lip seals and I packed it all with grease then put it together. I pumped grease in the zirk to fill all the space by a hand pump grease gun by pumping 2 pumps of grease then spin the tire 10 revolutions then add 2 more pumps till it come out the front where the zirk is. Grease went in the drums and lubed the entire brake system and drum ruining it. Won't use the zirk system again will only hand pack the bearing from now on. I have the Bearing Buddy's on 3 trailers with no problems but they don't have brake drums on them.
I do have EZ lube, but always wondering if I should leave same space in dust cup for grease expansion from heat or will the rubber center plug take care of this expansion ? Sometimes center of the plugs are pushed out, but hold never fall out. THX
Great video guys! If Dexter still recommends to repack yearly, exactly what is the purpose of the E-Z lube system than providing one doesn't exceed 12, 000 miles? Cheers
Why can't they make maintenance free like on cars?
I have a single axle cargo trailer that has ez lube hubs and put grease in annually exactly as instructed by the manufacturer. This trailer is 23 years old and I’ve never replaced the bearings or grease seals. I live in northern Ohio, It’s been down south to Texas a few times and out to New York many times. Seals and bearings are still in n great shape. This spring, I’m gonna take it apart, I inspect it, replace the seals, and hand pack. If the bearings still look good, I’m not changing them. Thanks for the video.
From a mechanics point of view I would say that removing the bearings, cleaning and repacking is best. But most consumers don't have the equipment or knowledge to properly clean and repack wheel bearings so they are actually getting more contaminants in the hubs and bearings than they would if they just used the Dexter easy lube.
in my hotshot business we found repacking is best, the rear seals blow way to much from hydraulic pressure.
Thank you for sharing!
I do both. 1 year with the EZ-lube and the next year I have the bearings repacked and have the brakes checked. I have not had any problems
Mike, thank you so much for sharing!
Any information on installing shocks on torflex axles
My camper rocking horses and it’s annoying.
I would check with the axle manufacture, the torflex axle its built in.
I’ll look into that. Being an American camper in Canada, we’ll see how that plays out
Thank you
So when was the last time you greased your truck front wheel bearings 🤔
My thoughts too, but trailers typically carry a heavier weight per axle.
Repacking bearings by hand is not a simple task that everyone can do well. Oftentimes, more harm is done than good. Following the simple procedures for E-Z Lube will get the job done just fine.
Jack, thanks for joining the conversation! I will say I agree that repacking bearings is no easy task. However, even with the E-Z lube system, Dexter still advises to repack the bearings every 12 months or 12,000 miles.
We have a Coachmen Catalina with the Dexter E-Z lube wheel bearings. So far, I haven't experienced any issues. I will say that I take my time. Probably 20 minutes a wheel. I pump in 2 or 3 shots of grease while I'm spinning the wheel and do this for about a minute. I repeat the process until I start to see the dirty stuff coming out. I think what happens in some instances is that people rush to do it and keep pumping and pumping grease and not taking the time to keep spinning the wheel. The very first time I did it, I must have used almost 3/4 of a tube of grease on each wheel. They must have been real dry when shipped from the manufacture. Now 8 or 10 pumps and I start to see the old stuff oozing out. I stop then and move on to the other wheel.
You need a special tabbed-washer if you take the nut off. there is no cotter pin on EZ Lube. The Seal is real fussy on placement. too far in and you grease the drum 😒
I just pumped grease until I saw fresh grease (old grease changes color). Also Spin the wheel some while greasing for even distribution.
Thank you for sharing, Steve.
Like the saying goes..."You can do it the easy way, or you can do it the right way". The ez lube system is convenient, but is not optimal because you can't inspect the bearings, hubs, or drums without disassembly.
Wow Man! Wish I had seen this earlier. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way.
I'm sorry to hear that!
Keep trying to pump them full and I’ll keep taking your money!!! They are only there to add a little fresh grease very very slowly between repacking and changing seals…
I would not recommend using the easy lube system. If your seal is worn you will not only pack the bearings....your will get grease all over the brake shoes.
I have forest river wildwood 4 years old been using grease zero on mine since new. In October had major fail on rear tire. Bearing came apart and ruined wheel,tire back plate and hub. Spent over $350 to fix. Pulled other three off and bearing shot and no grease on them. System is worthless.
Bearing buddies aren't for greasing bearings. They are for maintaining a slight positive pressure on the hub. Unscrew the zirk off spindle and only install it for greasing. Pull guts out of bearing buddy and install zerk when you need to grease.
This video is also conflicting. Why don’t you just say old school way. Repack once a year if you travel “X” amount of miles.
Fattie, thanks for joinging in on the conversation. We apologize if we weren't clear. We're not against that E-Z lube system. We simply don't want consumers to forgo getting their bearings packed in place of using the system. After all, Dexter even recommends to repack the bearings every 12 months or 12,000 miles.
You can’t beat the Dexter E-Z Lube axles. You just pump grease through it until the new grease comes out. I use a different color so you know when the new is pumped all the way through.
Thanks for joining the conversation, Andy! We have no quams with the E-Z Lube system, Some people love it, some people hate it. But we don't want consumers to forgo packing their wheel bearings in place of this.
Be careful mixing grease. Per Dexter, CAUTION: Do not mix lithium, calcium, sodium, or barium-complex greases due to possible compatibility problems. When changing from one type of grease to another, it is necessary to ensure all the old grease has been removed.
Just bought a used boat trailer with ez lube. Bought new hubs with bearings and pre greased. I tried to top off the grease and it only came out at the inner bearing and proceeded to blow out the brand new seal. I had to reorder a new seal. I noticed that there is only one hole at the back of the axel that grease is supposed to come out. NO grease gets to the outside bearing, it all bunches up against the seal and out it comes so don't think you are greasing all your bearings with this gimmic. Just hand pack them or take them to a country person and pay them to do it for you. EZ Lube not only does not work, for the uneducated it could lull you into a false sense of well being. I know now why Dexter wants you to service their ez lube bearings the way regular bearings are done.
I have the Dexter E-Z Lube on our travel trailer and I agree with the boys as it failed. I changed my brakes with a new back plate with all the brake components on it from Dexter, New drums, new Timken bearings. The seals were double lip seals and I packed it all with grease then put it together. I pumped grease in the zirk to fill all the space by a hand pump grease gun by pumping 2 pumps of grease then spin the tire 10 revolutions then add 2 more pumps till it come out the front where the zirk is. Grease went in the drums and lubed the entire brake system and drum ruining it. Won't use the zirk system again will only hand pack the bearing from now on. I have the Bearing Buddy's on 3 trailers with no problems but they don't have brake drums on them.
Thanks for sharing, Crowman! Sounds like you are on the right track. 👍
Have a great weekend!