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Old 01-30-2013, 01:29 AM   #1
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I am about to grease the zerk fittings on the end of the trailer axles. Any advice?
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Old 01-30-2013, 02:08 AM   #2
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My recommendation is, don't.
I pull mine apart and hand grease the bearings. That way you can, inspect them and the seals to see if they have been leaking. You will never know whats going on inside that brake drum any other way. Then you will be ready to adjust the brakes after you finish greasing and inspecting.

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Old 01-30-2013, 02:44 AM   #3
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If you are not inspecting the brakes etc, you just remove the rubber plug and pump grease in until you push out all of the old grease and see new fresh grease. Use wheel bearing grease.
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Old 01-30-2013, 03:23 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JKgrizzly
If you are not inspecting the brakes etc, you just remove the rubber plug and pump grease in until you push out all of the old grease and see new fresh grease. Use wheel bearing grease.
What do you think a procedure like this will do to the grease seals?
If you can see old grease coming out------you have blowed the seals, and probably will end up with grease on the brake shoes. If that happens, you will be doing a brake job also.
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Old 01-30-2013, 05:09 AM   #5
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Old farmer is right. Don't use that fitting.
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Old 01-30-2013, 05:14 AM   #6
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ok , who told people to pump grease till old grease comes out ?? Out of where ? Where are you looking ? It will come out inside the hub and contaminate the brakes. . Only use this fitting to pump in a few shots . at the beginning of the year . You should have the bearings vhecked by a dealer or someone that has knowledge of it . Better than having no brakes or blown bearings on the side of a busy highway in the middle of nowhere.

imo , but i may be wrong ....
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Old 01-30-2013, 08:51 AM   #7
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The zerk ONLY greases the inside bearing. The outside bearing must be done by hand.
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Old 01-30-2013, 09:06 AM   #8
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Google dexter ez lube axles.
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Old 01-30-2013, 10:44 AM   #9
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Easy Lube Axles<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /></span>

We purchased a new Cruiser
with Easy Lube Axles in 2010 and never lubed the bearings. I pulled the wheels
last spring and thanks to having Easy Lube Axles I spent a few days last spring
cleaning the grease out of all four brake drums. All of the rear seals were
shot and had allowed grease to blow by into the electric brake components.
Clean up was a pain. The brake shoes will have to be replaced this coming
spring; degreasing does NOT work.</span>

When the Easy Lube Hub
is filled with grease at the factory and then spun at 65 MPH the centrifugal
force has to be tremendous. I assume this is why the manual suggests a bearing
inspection every year.</span>

Here is a Dexter diagram
of how the Easy Lube Axle is supposed to work.</span>

http://www.floeintl.com/assets/pdf/e-z_lube_greasecap.pdf</span>

</span>

Here is information on
re-packing bearings:</span>

</span>

http://www.lippertcomponents.com/OwnersManuals/Trailer-Axle/8-30-10-TrailerAxle-Web.pdf</span>

</span>

http://www.rv-life-and-travel.com/wheel-bearings.html



If you
do take on this project, there have been some current posts concerning loose
suspension hardware and brake adjustment. </span>

</span>

(Thank
you Forum Members for your suggestions while I completed my bearing work)</span>

</span>

Kamper
Dave</span></span>

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Old 01-30-2013, 11:18 AM   #10
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I agree with the group, don't rely on the grease fittings to do a good job for you. Pull your wheels and do it properly. On occasion before a long trip I have used the grease fittings to add one more pump of grease but thats it. I pull the wheels at least every 2 years/5-7k miles and do a full inspection including the brakes. It might take a 1/2 day all the way around, but its worth it.

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Old 01-31-2013, 01:58 AM   #11
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All,
When I contacted Andi Miles she said my warranty would be void if I did not have my bearings checked when I have the annual inspection done. She says the Lippert manual calls for it. As I'm not mechanically inclined, nor do I have a house any longer, it will be easier to let them do it and have peace of mind, along with the knowledge my brakes are also safe. JMHO

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Old 01-31-2013, 05:36 AM   #12
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I can't believe it's legal to make you spend money to have a warrenty. Besidesthe warrenty isonly good for 1 year so why worry..
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Old 01-31-2013, 05:38 AM   #13
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Why is there an annual inspection if there is only a 1 year guarentee?
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Old 01-31-2013, 09:18 AM   #14
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X2 on CWIT's statements, however do the maintenance it is important.
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Old 01-31-2013, 12:39 PM   #15
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I have a 2 year warranty, mine runs through April 2014
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Old 02-01-2013, 10:36 PM   #16
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The ez lubeaxle spindlesare a great feature........on hubs without brakes!!!!!!! They are great in that if you properly follow instructions you can check your grease without pulling the hub. They can cause SIGNIFICANT ISSUES if they are on axles that have brakes. No exceptions!!!

Be sure you follow some of the websites in previous posts to understand how they work so you may understand why I say this. If you put a grease gun on the zerk and start slowly pumping until grease runs out the front WHILE YOU SPIN THE RAISED WHEEL and if the rear seal is very good you may get by ok. Don't always count on it. Even though you may see greese coming out the front this is no proof that the rear seal is not compromised and leaking some amount into the brake drum area!!!!!!! Over a period of a few "preventative maintenance" sessions like this and you may have contaminated your brakesand madethem useless!!!



If youdon't have brakes on the axle, it is possible to look from behind and see the condition of the rear seal and instantly be aware of any grease coming out. Then you know the seal is bad. No big deal since no brakes are contaminiated just wipe off the excess, put replacing seals on your "to do list" and be on your way. This is a great system for....BOAT TRAILERS that are constantly submerged, UTILITY TRAILERS and light campers without brakes. It can save you lots of time in maintenance.



Don't gamble with this system if you have brakes. Like others have said there is no other proper way to properly check your brakes and seals other than pulling the drum and doing it by hand. There are numerous videos on youtube that are helpful if you have never done it.Furthermore it is not necessary to pack wheel bearings often on campers.............boats yes........not campers.How often do you you see people packing their fronthubs on their cars and trucks??? What would be the difference?? Of course today many newer vehicles have sealed front bearingsbut in previous years nobody packed wheel bearings until they replaced the front brakes which was normally around 50K or 4 years possibly. It's not necessary to startsquirting grease all over everythingeverytimeyou leave the driveway!! On boats yes, not campers. Your boat will get submerged and be underwater for several minutes each time you launch.



Edited by: Pull Dog
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Old 02-01-2013, 11:34 PM   #17
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Pull Dog,
Great write up!! Thank you.

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Old 02-01-2013, 11:49 PM   #18
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Thanks Ken. Many of us do not have experience in all types of maintenace our units require. Some posts can cause us unnecessary concern. You have made clear informative points. Im sure lots of folks have pumped grease into thier hubs with the best of intentions. Great post!

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Old 02-02-2013, 12:36 AM   #19
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Ken,
Thanks, you have given me some peace of mind...I appreciate the time you took to put all this into writing...it's what makes this site so great.

Jim
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Old 02-02-2013, 03:32 AM   #20
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Thanks to all for posting. I will not use the zerk fitting. I will pull the hubs and inspect. I understand its an easy job,but having never done a bearing job,I want to make sure its done properly. The rig has about 12,000 miles on it, so i will see where I go after inspecting.
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