EZ lube spindle and bearing repack question

soren wrote:

BB_TX wrote:
When done correctly the EZ Lube system works fine. I have used mine multiple times and no grease past the seals. Pump slow while continuously turning the wheel until new grease starts coming out the front of the hub exactly as Dexter says and the videos show and it works.

Some people have said they bought a new rig that came with EZ Lube and grease on the brakes showing even the manufacturing person used it incorrectly, probably using a pneumatic grease gun, or pumping a manual gun hard and fast. But often they are paid bonuses for making daily quota numbers and speed is money.

Many who criticize the system have never actually used it themselves.

Many years ago, when these things first came out, they were a sales lizard's dream. I can't count home many times one of those lying belly crawlers looked me in the eye and said, "The axles are now nearly maintenance free. Every spring you give them a few pumps with a grease gun and you are good to go!" Really? How does that manage to visually inspect the drums for cracks, the shoes for even wear, thickness and contamination, the star adjusters for proper tension, the magnets for even wear and function, and the bearings and races for wear and proper lubrication? This list, BTW is what every competent mechanic is doing while repacking bearings.

I have had a new TT with ez-scam axles and grease blown all over a brake drum, right from the factory. I can't even begin to imagine how many trailers are out there with wildly misadjusted brakes and/or grease saturated shoes, since the marketing of ez-scam hubs began..........

Those juvenile "sales lizards", "lying belly crawlers", and "ez-scam" terms really enhance your arguments and make them more believable. :S

It would not be surprising that improper technique with EZ lube would cause problems. When re-assembling hand packed bearings, try snugging the hub's castle nut, then tightening it two more flats and see what happens.

I do not think anyone is saying that EZ lubes are as good as disassembly, inspection, and proper re-assembly. All that is stated is when used properly the EZ lube feature does what it is supposed to do.

BB_TX wrote:
When done correctly the EZ Lube system works fine. I have used mine multiple times and no grease past the seals. Pump slow while continuously turning the wheel until new grease starts coming out the front of the hub exactly as Dexter says and the videos show and it works.

Some people have said they bought a new rig that came with EZ Lube and grease on the brakes showing even the manufacturing person used it incorrectly, probably using a pneumatic grease gun, or pumping a manual gun hard and fast. But often they are paid bonuses for making daily quota numbers and speed is money.

Many who criticize the system have never actually used it themselves.

Many years ago, when these things first came out, they were a sales lizard's dream. I can't count home many times one of those lying belly crawlers looked me in the eye and said, "The axles are now nearly maintenance free. Every spring you give them a few pumps with a grease gun and you are good to go!" Really? How does that manage to visually inspect the drums for cracks, the shoes for even wear, thickness and contamination, the star adjusters for proper tension, the magnets for even wear and function, and the bearings and races for wear and proper lubrication? This list, BTW is what every competent mechanic is doing while repacking bearings.

I have had a new TT with ez-scam axles and grease blown all over a brake drum, right from the factory. I can't even begin to imagine how many trailers are out there with wildly misadjusted brakes and/or grease saturated shoes, since the marketing of ez-scam hubs began?

As for your claim of criticism by the uninformed, I'll offer the opposite. I was asking the owner/chief mechanic of a highly regarded, family run RV dealership why I couldn't find double lip seals in on the shelf at his store. He asked if I did my own work on the trailer? He then told me to buy the regular seals for 1/4 the price, do the job properly, and never pump grease in them. In his experience they are a scam. He does mandated state inspections involving pulling drums, and most regular ez-scam users eventually end up with greasy, compromised brakes.

No, I will concede that this situation exists since 90% of all users fail to follow instructions, and just pump away, on cold bearings, with cold grease, while failing to rotate the rim, but it doesn't really matter. If you are marketing a technique that typically results in greasy brakes and encourages a lack of proper maintenance, IMHO, there is a problem.

Dexter originally said that the EZ Lube was for axles/hubs that were submerged to be easily purged of contaminated grease. They has since lightened up and say it is a general purpose re-pack feature. I have had and used them for years, and find them to be an easy way to give a grease flush between repack/inspections. Patience and turning the wheel are both important to successful flushing.

I do pull the hubs and have the bearings cleaned, inspected and repacked every other year on average.

Hand packing is generally better, if you know or are willing to learn how to do it. You actually are holding the bearings in your hand and can inspect them along with the brakes shoes, magnets and drums.

You are removing the brake drum, bearings, bearing washer, nut, cotter pin and often replacing the rear bearing seal, so it is important to know how they go back together properly.

EZ lube works also, it is far easier and a lot less work. However, the condition of the internal components remains unknown.

We have averaged 10,000 towing miles a year for the last three years so I like to open things up to take a look.

Others who tow seem less concerned or simply do not know how the tackle mechanical problems.

My whole idea of my post was to point out Badger clearly didn't know how easy lube system works . As with anything on the internet you need to do your own research. I applaud Badger for taking the time to research how the easy grease system works . Myself I plan to tear down every 10,000 miles and check things out and put in a new seal then. As for my experience I own and operate a large farm and have done my own maintenance for over 40 year
Thanks Jeff

plasticmaster wrote:

Sandia Man wrote:
Although we have the same option on our axles I still do them the old fashion way, I feel better that I had a chance to see the wear and tear for myself. Good news is that if they are properly done, wheel bearing service will last several years before a full cleaning and repacking is required. Nothing wrong with doing it yearly but with top notch, high-temp grease I find it isn't required annually for our heavily used TT. They are rarely exposed to harsh elements where we RV most.

Every Spring after de-winterizing our rig I take all wheels off and inspect brakes and bearings, I'm on our 4th camping season since the last wheel bearing service and all still looks great. Although I never tried, I would believe the Easy lube option works for many but there have been a plethora of reports where seals were blown out allowing grease to reach brakes. It's good that your are checking bearings as sometimes they leave factory improperly greased.

Is it possible to inspect bearings without having to clean and repack them? Wouldn't you have to clean them to inspect them and thus have to repack them anyway?

Without creating another long post, Yes you can tear them down, look at them, and re-install. But, you are only going to be able to do a very cursory inspection. You can see the roller bearing part, the cage, and the bearing race surface, but you cannot see the inner part of the bearing for wear or pits.

Also, with the grease still on the bearing, you will be hit and miss at inspecting all the rollers.

It can be done...But I wouldn't waste the time to tear it all apart to and not do a thorough clean and re-grease. Take your time, do it right (which ever system you use) and hopefully, all will end well.

To Badger:

"Also, as for that rubber stopper...I worked on big rig trailers before I joined the military. The trailers that we worked on mostly use an oil bath bearing lube system. The outer rubber cap comes off, you pour oil in, and replace the cap. In the 18 months I worked on those trailers I had at least 15 or more trailers come in missing rubber caps and bearings going bad because of contamination. While no system is perfect, I would rather trust the metal cap that I knock on with a mallet versus a rubber stopper that can pop off when the bearing grease (or oil in the case of the big trailers) heats up and creates a pressure inside the hub/bearing area."

That "rubber stopper" is not to keep any grease or as you call it "oil" in. It is just a dust cap to keep road scum, etc from getting on the grease fitting.

I like the rubber cap for it's purpose

Jack L

Sandia Man wrote:
Although we have the same option on our axles I still do them the old fashion way, I feel better that I had a chance to see the wear and tear for myself. Good news is that if they are properly done, wheel bearing service will last several years before a full cleaning and repacking is required. Nothing wrong with doing it yearly but with top notch, high-temp grease I find it isn't required annually for our heavily used TT. They are rarely exposed to harsh elements where we RV most.

Every Spring after de-winterizing our rig I take all wheels off and inspect brakes and bearings, I'm on our 4th camping season since the last wheel bearing service and all still looks great. Although I never tried, I would believe the Easy lube option works for many but there have been a plethora of reports where seals were blown out allowing grease to reach brakes. It's good that your are checking bearings as sometimes they leave factory improperly greased.

Is it possible to inspect bearings without having to clean and repack them? Wouldn't you have to clean them to inspect them and thus have to repack them anyway?

When done correctly the EZ Lube system works fine. I have used mine multiple times and no grease past the seals. Pump slow while continuously turning the wheel until new grease starts coming out the front of the hub exactly as Dexter says and the videos show and it works.

Some people have said they bought a new rig that came with EZ Lube and grease on the brakes showing even the manufacturing person used it incorrectly, probably using a pneumatic grease gun, or pumping a manual gun hard and fast. But often they are paid bonuses for making daily quota numbers and speed is money.

Many who criticize the system have never actually used it themselves.