Here we go, another EZ lube debate!

js6343js6343 wrote:
Just as an FYI. In my case, I have never pulled these hubs prior to yesterday. My state does not require inspections. Or if they do, I am not aware of it.

Thanks for clarifying and about jacking up the camper. The setup is limited.

Even the double seal used on the trailer axles are inexpensive and not the best out there. There are seals built that will hold the grease pressure, but the cost is orders of magnitude higher. Even the generic ones might be $50 ea. while the top of the line brands can be $100 to $150 each. Hydraulics holds thousands of PSI every day and live in dirt on an excavator or back hoe etc. We most likely would probably have a hard time paying, $200 plus for 4 grease seals. So we get what they give us, an inexpensive seal that gets us by for the most part. And the axle manuals tell us to check annually.

Since I do the hand pack myself I know what I have. I go 2 to 3 years before the next repack and change out the seals. Since doing this practice I have not had a double seal failure and my state does not require annual trailer inspections. The self adjusting brakes help too and when I pull the drums I measure the lining thickness and track mileage to help know when to buy new brake plate assemblies. In my case, I have kept my camper long enough to track this. For folks changing campers every 5 to 7 years, well they may only have 2 wheel bearing repacks in the life they had the camper.

It seems from your observations, 5 years may be the limit on the seal life and that is too long. The seals do wear, just look at the wiper point from new to old. From your post, we at least a one data point to not go beyond.

Thanks

John