Thanks to all of your replies in the last thread, I have decided to attempt repacking the bearings (by myself).I have watched many YouTube videos on how to repack bearings and it seems straightforward.But I couldn't find videos on repacking EZ Lube bearing...So now I have a few more questions:(please note: I DO NOT have brakes on my pop-up)1. Do I need to buy new seals if I attempt repacking the bearings? or the new seals are only necessary if I have brakes on the Pop-up?(Also, if I do need to buy the seals, where do you buy?)2. How will I know if the bearings need to be replaced?3. How do you clean the bearings from the old grease, is wiping it out with a clean cloth enough?4. Where and what type of grease should I buy?Thank you all, your replies and opinions are like gold to me.

First off, are you sure you have an EZ Lube axle ?There are several opinions of this type of lubricating system, some good, some not.Review your situation before proceeding. Check this video link.EZ Lube

You've pick a good project. When you get done you'll know exactly what your riding on. Which is better than after paying and wondering "I hope they did a good job".This is your first time doing them? I would jump back a couple steps first.Get a manual off your manufactures web site for your axle. Should have torque spec's and what type of grease. Axles usually have a label on them somewhere. My label is sort of hidden. Facing forward, right in the middle and on top. (They make you work for it.) ---If you haven't lifted your RV before, make sure your jacking up RV the right way. You don't want to do any damage.---After you get it apart, you should see tiny numbers on the bearing. Even if you don't have to buy new bearings pick up a spare bearing and cup and grease seal for the "just in case" situation. Bring in the bearing and the manual that you find on-line. I would buy at a place that axles and trailers are their business versus auto part store, usually more knowledge, if you have questions. ---Re-packing bearings are sort of like baking a cake. Everybody does it different way, but end result is about the same.

Thanks to all of your replies in the last thread, I have decided to attempt repacking the bearings (by myself). I have watched many YouTube videos on how to repack bearings and it seems straightforward. But I couldn't find videos on repacking EZ Lube bearing... So now I have a few more questions: (please note: I DO NOT have brakes on my pop-up) 1. Do I need to buy new seals if I attempt repacking the bearings? or the new seals are only necessary if I have brakes on the Pop-up? (Also, if I do need to buy the seals, where do you buy?)First figure out if you have Dexter or another manufacturer's EZ lube system. Then go to NAPA or on line from the manufactuer for seals. Yes, you need new seals when repacking. 2. How will I know if the bearings need to be replaced?Clean them thoroughly and look for pitting, broken parts, scoring, excessive wear on both the race and the bearings. They should be smooth and rotate easily. 3. How do you clean the bearings from the old grease, is wiping it out with a clean cloth enough?No, wiping them with a cloth will not get the job done. Use a solvent and make sure there is no dirt or grease remaining. Then inspect the bearings. 4. Where and what type of grease should I buy?If you have Dexter bearings that information is on line or should be in your manual for your axles that came with the coach. Thank you all, your replies and opinions are like gold to me.

I went to Napa with the old bearing. They sold me a kit with new bearings and two different seals. The instructions simply stated to use the seal with the tightest fit.The bearing itself has a stamping on it the auto parts store can match up, if you have a weird size.

Hopefully you have a EZ lube axle. The above video is all you need to do after you have checked that you only have a slight amount of sideways movement of your tire when jacked up... wheel bearings not loose. No need to take apart and clean with only 2000 miles and no need for new seals when you do not have brakes. Go to a auto parts store and buy a tube of grease like this... high temp Lithium. It really is this simple with the EZ lube and no brakes.

Repacking EZ Lube bearing | Good Sam Community

jfkmk
Explorer
Jun 08, 2015
Ryanincc wrote:
For the packing, I use, and recommend using a Bearing Packer Aid . I find its easier and a lot less messy with one. :B :W

I just bought one of these and couldn't agree with you more! Well worth $21!
Ryanincc
Explorer
Jun 07, 2015
For the packing, I use, and recommend using a Bearing Packer Aid . I find its easier and a lot less messy with one. :B :W
jmtandem
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2015
The 12mo/12000 mile "recommendation" is a CYOA statement, doesn't have anything to do with the mechanical interactions of the bearing, grease, axle, etc... Same as the old 3mo/3000 mile "recommendation" for engine oil.

It is interesting that Dexter also makes the Never Lube bearings that typically don't need annual repacking. And if you look at the internals there is not that much different between the EZ Lube and the Never Lube. My bearing repack schedule is every five years or so depending on how many miles I rack up.
GordonThree
Explorer
Jun 04, 2015
The 12mo/12000 mile "recommendation" is a CYOA statement, doesn't have anything to do with the mechanical interactions of the bearing, grease, axle, etc... Same as the old 3mo/3000 mile "recommendation" for engine oil.
jmtandem
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2015
I have Dexter axles (though not ez lube) but I do have the Dexter manual, so I looked up how to pack them. According to the manual, you remove the rubber plug, place a MANUAL grease gun onto the grease fitting, and while rotating the drum, pump grease into the fitting. The old grease will start to come out around the grease gun nozzle. Keep adding grease until CLEAN grease is observed coming out. When clean grease comes out, remove the grease gun, wipe off excess grease and replace the rubber plug.

This process is similar to using a bearing packing tool, but you don't have to remove the bearings from the trailer.

I would go to the Dexter web site to see what grease they recommend. There's a complete list in the manual, but I'm not going to enter it all here.

According to the Dexter manual, "if hubs are removed from an axle with the ez lube feature, it is imperative that the seals be replaced BEFORE lubrication".

This has nothing to do with having brakes or not, just removing the hub. So, if you have ez lube bearings, I wouldn't remove the hubs unless you suspect something is wrong. Just "repack" them using the method described in the manual.

Dexter recommends doing this service every 12 months or 12,000 miles

I have Dexter EZ Lube axles and the Dexter manual that came with my trailer recommends a cleaning and repack every year. So what is any benefit of the EZ Lube system? Most folks don't travel
enough miles a year to need to add grease more than every 12 months.
jfkmk
Explorer
Jun 03, 2015
I have Dexter axles (though not ez lube) but I do have the Dexter manual, so I looked up how to pack them. According to the manual, you remove the rubber plug, place a MANUAL grease gun onto the grease fitting, and while rotating the drum, pump grease into the fitting. The old grease will start to come out around the grease gun nozzle. Keep adding grease until CLEAN grease is observed coming out. When clean grease comes out, remove the grease gun, wipe off excess grease and replace the rubber plug.

This process is similar to using a bearing packing tool, but you don't have to remove the bearings from the trailer.

I would go to the Dexter web site to see what grease they recommend. There's a complete list in the manual, but I'm not going to enter it all here.

According to the Dexter manual, "if hubs are removed from an axle with the ez lube feature, it is imperative that the seals be replaced BEFORE lubrication".

This has nothing to do with having brakes or not, just removing the hub. So, if you have ez lube bearings, I wouldn't remove the hubs unless you suspect something is wrong. Just "repack" them using the method described in the manual.

Dexter recommends doing this service every 12 months or 12,000 miles
Ivylog
Explorer III
Jun 03, 2015
Hopefully you have a EZ lube axle. The above video is all you need to do after you have checked that you only have a slight amount of sideways movement of your tire when jacked up... wheel bearings not loose. No need to take apart and clean with only 2000 miles and no need for new seals when you do not have brakes. Go to a auto parts store and buy a tube of grease like this... high temp Lithium. It really is this simple with the EZ lube and no brakes.
GordonThree
Explorer
Jun 03, 2015
I went to Napa with the old bearing. They sold me a kit with new bearings and two different seals. The instructions simply stated to use the seal with the tightest fit.

The bearing itself has a stamping on it the auto parts store can match up, if you have a weird size.
jmtandem
Explorer II
Jun 03, 2015
Thanks to all of your replies in the last thread, I have decided to attempt repacking the bearings (by myself).

I have watched many YouTube videos on how to repack bearings and it seems straightforward.

But I couldn't find videos on repacking EZ Lube bearing...
So now I have a few more questions:
(please note: I DO NOT have brakes on my pop-up)

1. Do I need to buy new seals if I attempt repacking the bearings? or the new seals are only necessary if I have brakes on the Pop-up?
(Also, if I do need to buy the seals, where do you buy?)

First figure out if you have Dexter or another manufacturer's EZ lube system. Then go to NAPA or on line from the manufactuer for seals. Yes, you need new seals when repacking.

2. How will I know if the bearings need to be replaced?

Clean them thoroughly and look for pitting, broken parts, scoring, excessive wear on both the race and the bearings. They should be smooth and rotate easily.

3. How do you clean the bearings from the old grease, is wiping it out with a clean cloth enough?

No, wiping them with a cloth will not get the job done. Use a solvent and make sure there is no dirt or grease remaining. Then inspect the bearings.

4. Where and what type of grease should I buy?

If you have Dexter bearings that information is on line or should be in your manual for your axles that came with the coach.

Thank you all, your replies and opinions are like gold to me.
path1
Explorer
Jun 03, 2015
You've pick a good project. When you get done you'll know exactly what your riding on. Which is better than after paying and wondering "I hope they did a good job".

This is your first time doing them? I would jump back a couple steps first.

Get a manual off your manufactures web site for your axle. Should have torque spec's and what type of grease. Axles usually have a label on them somewhere. My label is sort of hidden. Facing forward, right in the middle and on top. (They make you work for it.)

---If you haven't lifted your RV before, make sure your jacking up RV the right way. You don't want to do any damage.

---After you get it apart, you should see tiny numbers on the bearing. Even if you don't have to buy new bearings pick up a spare bearing and cup and grease seal for the "just in case" situation. Bring in the bearing and the manual that you find on-line. I would buy at a place that axles and trailers are their business versus auto part store, usually more knowledge, if you have questions.

---Re-packing bearings are sort of like baking a cake. Everybody does it different way, but end result is about the same.

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Repacking EZ Lube bearing

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