Hey all,I'll be picking up my Passport 2400BH on Monday. i have a question about the Ez-lube axles, which I am assuming are just like bearing buddies. How does the grease reach the inner bearing when you lube it?Chris

EZ Lubes are different than bearing buddies. The grease flows to the rear bearing first.I'm sure someone will post a diagram for you.

coolbreeze01 wrote:EZ Lubes are different than bearing buddies. The grease flows to the rear bearing first.I'm sure someone will post a diagram for you.Wow, well that sure is "Ez" ;)

As stated the grease goes to the inner bearing, and then the outer bearing thru heat and hub design. Ez lube axles make it too easy to over grease the bearings, which can be as bad as under greased. Many recommend ignoring the zerk fitting and just doing proper packing annually. Even my axle manual states that the ez lube fitting does nothing to extend the standard packing service interval.

AH64ID wrote:As stated the grease goes to the inner bearing, and then the outer bearing thru heat and hub design. Ez lube axles make it too easy to over grease the bearings, which can be as bad as under greased. Many recommend ignoring the zerk fitting and just doing proper packing annually. Even my axle manual states that the ez lube fitting does nothing to extend the standard packing service interval.That is funny, what is the point then. According to this video from Dexter, it is a "Complete repack".Click here

Dexter EZ LubeGrease goes thru the port to the rear bearing, thru the rear bearing to the center of the hub, fills that area and then goes thru the outer bearing, and out the front. Takes a lot of grease (half a tube per wheel?), but that is the only way the outer bearing gets new grease to it. A few pumps does nothing for the outer bearing.Word of caution. Some who have used it have pushed grease thru the inner grease seal and on to their brakes.If you do it, use a manual grease gun, pump the grease very slowly while constantly turning the wheel (that makes the grease flow thru the inner bearing better and lessens the chance of over pressure on the seal), pump until you see new grease come out the front. I use a hi-temp red grease recommended by Dexter. The red makes it easier to see when new grease is coming out the front, indicating that most all the old grease has been pushed out. Check Dexter service manual for recommended greases.

Question about Eazy lube axles | Good Sam Community

36 Replies

LarryJM
Explorer II
Aug 22, 2014
mosseater wrote:
Larry,
You remember last time all the trouble you got in by speaking the truth? Better be careful, some folks don't like the truth.

I realize that, but for the benefit of those that might be misled I sometimes think the effort is worth the trouble.

OH, and another note, if you don't chamfer the hole where the grease comes out at the seal in the rear, you stand a good chance of nicking the seal lip when you put the drum back on. Ask me how I know. A little fine emery cloth goes a long way.

WOW never considered that and THANKS I'll try and remember that for the next service. I just did my bearings and I broke one adjusting spring and ruined a set of shoes and drum and for only $60/wheel I upgraded to the self adjusting brakes by buying the complete assembly ... backing plate, shoes, magnet, all new hardware at my local RV Dealer.

Larry
mosseater
Explorer II
Aug 22, 2014
Larry,
You remember last time all the trouble you got in by speaking the truth? Better be careful, some folks don't like the truth.

OH, and another note, if you don't chamfer the hole where the grease comes out at the seal in the rear, you stand a good chance of nicking the seal lip when you put the drum back on. Ask me how I know. A little fine emery cloth goes a long way.
Huntindog
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
AH64ID wrote:
Check out the Timken website on over greasing. I'll take Timken's word as not being a myth, they do know a thing or two about bearings.

If you look at the inside of a removed hub it pretty easy to see how it slings outward. If you have ever pulled a partially full hub, i.e. properly servied, it's also aparant.

Boat trailer bearing buddies work differently, and have a habit of slinging extra grease.
Boat trailer bearings are tapered roller bearings. Just like our TT bearings.. I bet some of them are even the same part numbers.
Bearing buddys are just a way of keeping the water out of the bearings. Other than that, they are the same.
MFL
Nomad II
Aug 22, 2014
I have had 3 trailers with EZ-lubes, and have never been afraid to use them, nor have I had problems arise from using them.

If you have the proper seals installed, use the right grease, and follow the instructions, they can serve you well. I also like to grease the EZs when the bearings are warm.

You will most certainly use more grease, than a hand pack. The price of good grease is pretty small, when taking into account the cost of RVing.

I have pulled a hub to check for other possible issues, and cleaned/checked bearings. In this case, I use my bearing packer before reassembly. I have checked the bearing temps, on the same side, one set hand packed, the other EZ-lubed. The hand packed seem to run 15-20 degrees cooler.

It just makes sense that a hub filled with grease, will dissipate heat slower than an empty hub, with well greased bearings. However, 15-20 degrees, is just a little warmer, not overheated bearings. JMO

Jerry
seaeagle2
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
As a newbie tt owner, but a 20 year trailer boat owner launching almost exclusively in saltwater, I can tell you my personal experience was that spindle lube axles worked better than the bearing buddies for me. I actually filled that void between the bearings with a big gob of grease after I had manually packed the bearings, that way when I shot some grease into the zerk, the old nasty grease would come out the front, keeping in mind these are bearing that get submerged everytime the boat is launched. In 10 years with that trailer I never had a bearing failure.....
SprinklerMan
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
My trailer has them ,I bought it uses , the bearings were greased extreemely well , as were the brakes and brake drums , I wont use them I just do it the old fashion way .
LarryJM
Explorer II
Aug 22, 2014
AH64ID wrote:
Check out the Timken website on over greasing. I'll take Timken's word as not being a myth, they do know a thing or two about bearings.

If you look at the inside of a removed hub it pretty easy to see how it slings outward. If you have ever pulled a partially full hub, i.e. properly servied, it's also aparant.

Boat trailer bearing buddies work differently, and have a habit of slinging extra grease.

Unfortunately the Timken website in their FAQs Timken FAQs specifically state:

Always follow original equipment manufacturers’ recommendations regarding grease purging and correct replenishment amounts

so Dexter's information and directions trump anything Timken might say to the contrary.

CHECKMATE:p:B

Larry
4aSong
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
Huntindog wrote:
BB_TX wrote:
AH64ID wrote:
.....
Where did you find info stating to rotate? My manual says no rotation needed.

Also, why do you think the cavity must be 100% full? That is considered overpacked and NOT what you want. There has to be a way for heat to dissipate.
.....

Look at Dexter web site EZ Lube instruction manual and the above link to the Dexter video for EZ Lube greasing instructions and you will clearly see it says to rotate the wheel while pumping grease.

And the cavity must be filled for grease to be pushed out the front bearing. Watch the Dexter video of the process. As far as overheating due to being full, it does not happen. I have towed mine thru Texas/NM summer heat of 105+ and the hubs do not get hot. Myth.
X2 on the myth. If it were true, then how come all the boat trailers with bearing Buddys don't have the over heating issue?

Agree that it uses a lot of grease.

X3

Excellent point, why do boat trailers with bearing buddy's don't have the over heating issue?
coolbreeze01
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
Over 20 years, 4 trailers with ez lubes, zero bearing or brake replacement. Not an expert, just my experience.
AH64ID
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
Check out the Timken website on over greasing. I'll take Timken's word as not being a myth, they do know a thing or two about bearings.

If you look at the inside of a removed hub it pretty easy to see how it slings outward. If you have ever pulled a partially full hub, i.e. properly servied, it's also aparant.

Boat trailer bearing buddies work differently, and have a habit of slinging extra grease.

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Question about Eazy lube axles

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