E-Z-Lube axles

[cpaharley2008]

Has anyone converted their conventional axle to an easy lube. For ease of keeping the axles greased there are grease fittings. Can these be installed on any axle to allow lubrication. I have seen Bearing Buddies also, are they the same?

[Donna D.]

No Bearing Buddies are not the same. The EZ Lube grease the rear bearings too. Bearing Buddies do not. Bearing Buddies are just a zerk fitting.


VS

[cpaharley2008]

Can not E-Z-Lube axles be converted with a kit?

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Can not E-Z-Lube axles be converted with a kit?

Probably, if you're talking about the entire hub and figure a way to change the spindle (it has a hole cylinder in it). But it would be an expensive solution just to grease the bearings. I have the EZ lube system on my Scamp. But, I needed an axle too. Figured I'd get it all, including 10" brakes.

[Jared J]

Overrated, IMHO. I have one, and I doubt I will ever use it. Bearings come out every year to get cleaned and repacked before the first trip of the year. This setup isn't going to tell you if there's a problem coming, and it's a great way to blow out your dust seal and wreck your brakes.

I think it's a gimmick, again, IMHO.

[Thomas G.]

Just to state it one more time, Bearing Buddies are not intended to replace packing bearings with grease, by hand. Their purpose is to pressurize the hub so that when it is backed into the water, like on a boat trailer, water doesn't rush in.

EZ Lubes are more effective, but still not a replacement for inspection, cleaning and packing.

[cpaharley2008]

Dexter now offers "Nev-R-Lube" axles? according to their website?

[Kevin A]

UHaul has had these "never lube" hubs for years. Seems to work for them!

[floyd]

I have used the E-Z Lube feature on my 2004 Scamp for 9 years now.
I have repacked the bearings by hand exactly 3 times.
Once at 600 miles, upon arrival home from the factory.
Once at about 4 years and 27,000 miles when I inspected the brakes and changed tires and...
Once a couple of months ago, before the Sebring trip, at about 60,000 miles when servicing the brakes and installing new tires.
All is well, the grease is always fresh and the bearings run cool.


BTW; I have had my Ranger for 12 years now and have repacked the front wheel bearings exactly once, 50,000 miles ago (at 100,000 miles) when I serviced the brakes.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Dexter now offers "Nev-R-Lube" axles? according to their website?

Nev-R-Lube is only available on larger sized axles than those which are commonly used on small fiberglass trailers.

[Raz]

Dexter says to do the bearings once a year. I don't know enough not to. The first time I did them on the Trillium I found an interesting seal. Raz

[floyd]

They also say to repack them after the first 500 miles, just in case they didn't assemble/grease them right at the factory!

[Raz]

Originally Posted by floyd

I have used the E-Z Lube feature on my 2004 Scamp for 9 years now.
I have repacked the bearings by hand exactly 3 times.
Once at 600 miles, upon arrival home from the factory.
Once at about 4 years and 27,000 miles when I inspected the brakes and changed tires and...
Once a couple of months ago, before the Sebring trip, at about 60,000 miles when servicing the brakes and installing new tires.
All is well, the grease is always fresh and the bearings run cool.


BTW; I have had my Ranger for 12 years now and have repacked the front wheel bearings exactly once, 50,000 miles ago (at 100,000 miles) when I serviced the brakes.

How often do you use the EZ lube feature?

[floyd]

Originally Posted by P. Raz

How often do you use the EZ lube feature?

Once or twice a year , when the mood strikes. Usually after a longer period of storage, especially if it includes temperature swings. I push just enough through to check for water or discoloration.
Probably more often when I first got the trailer when I was just pushing fresh grease out.

[Jared J]

Each to their own, I guess. I would rather spend the fifteen minutes per wheel and know they were good.

[Raz]

Originally Posted by floyd

Once or twice a year , when the mood strikes. Usually after a longer period of storage, especially if it includes temperature swings. I push just enough through to check for water or discoloration.
Probably more often when I first got the trailer when I was just pushing fresh grease out.

I have heard of folks paying over $100/axle for having bearings greased. Sounds like a good route for those not doing it themselves. Raz

[Ray N]

I did a lot of research on the EZ lube feature and found that the main criticism was the fear of blowing grease out the rear, past the seal, and contaminating the brakes. I found a reasonable sounding explanation for this happening that says the rear grease opening (hole), is in one spot and you need to rotate the wheel while pumping in the grease. This distributes the grease evenly and will prevent, (hopefully prevent, that is), too much pressure building up in one spot.

[Ray N]

Originally Posted by floyd

Nev-R-Lube is only available on larger sized axles than those which are commonly used on small fiberglass trailers.

The Dexter website says the Nev-R-Lube feature is available with the 3500 lb Torflex Axle.

[Raz]

Originally Posted by Jared J

Each to their own, I guess. I would rather spend the fifteen minutes per wheel and know they were good.

While I have done a lot of "shade tree" mechanics over the years, I had never done bearings until 2004 when we bought our first trailer. I do it once a year and it takes me about an hour to an hour and a half from start to finish. That includes rereading the procedure in the Dexter manual and hitching the tow vehicle to the trailer. It costs less than $10 for the seals, grease, and a new cotter pin and fulfills that primal need to get grease under my finger nails for another year. Raz

[Jared J]

I don't even take the wheel off when I do mine, saves a lot of time.