Are Dexter E-Z Flex Bearings really forever?

[CedarBrian]

I bought a one year old Forest River Cedar Creek 38' 5 wheel 4 years ago. Maximum travel about 4,000 km per year. Unit has the Dexter AXLE E-Z Flex suspension system. Is this system really zero maintenance? Are the bearings good for life? I don't want a highway disaster. At what point do I just replace the bearing systems as good preventative maintenance? Thank you.

[fj12ryder]

The Dexter EZ-Flex suspension system has to be greased periodically.

The rubber suspension plug problem seems to have been fixed. I got a bad set, but the second set is showing no signs of compression failure like the first set.

[Bob_Shaw]

IIRC, the Dexter Never Lube bearings are guaranteed for 5 years, with an annual inspection, and are to be replaced at 7 years. At least that was the case a number of years back. Dexter is a great company to deal with and stands behind year products IMHO. I had a never-lube bearing go bad at 4 1/2 years and Dexter paid for the repairs, including replacing both brakes on that axle. They even paid for the service company to come out to the campground to do the repair. I wish my new trailer had Dexter axles on it.

[jrs1871]

A word of caution. Those Nev-R-Lube bearings can fail and seize up. A member of the club had that happen on his Cedar Creek with considerably less than 100,000 miles. The pic he took of the failed bearing looked as if there was no grease in there.
I also believe there has been some problems with the EZ Flex due to bad rubber. When you crawl under there to grease the zerks on the wet bolts, it is easy to give them a once over.

[Old-Biscuit]

EZ Flex Suspension and axle wheel bearings are 2 different components


If you have the Dexter Axles with 'Nev-R-Lube' bearings.......yes they are completely maintenance free (as in no repacking/lubing needed).

They are sealed bearings and IIRC 100,000 mile service.

[okan-star]

I think he may be asking about the ez flex equalizer
You should have wet , greasable bolts on the three points on each equalizer , and grease them a few times a year ,along with the wet bolts on the ends of you leaf springs if you have wet bolts there also , also inspect the exposed rubber for deterioration or fatigue and replace the ez flex if the rubber is bad , not likely on a light rig

[kampinguru]

I would say as often as one would replace the wheel bearings in your car as PM. Since I would hope that you are not backing your trailer into water on a regular basis :-), I dont suspect you will have issues with the bearings on your trailer either. JMHO