How many strokes??

[smithrjd]

2011 Jayco 321RLTS, greasing the hubs (bearing buddy style with zerks under the caps) Been way to long since I have done that. No time to go to the way to busy dealer before a trip. Stroke till grease flows?

[Cummins12V98]

Slownsy wrote:
Sorry but you to are just as bad, I had a new travel trailer som years ago with the Dexter setup, only greased them a few times and only maybe 5 strokes while spinning wheels, at end of trip removed wheels to adjust brakes as not stopping to great, and guess what grease on to brakes, so maybe the luck of the draw, or maybe som manufacturer use better seals than others.
Frank.

It was poor quality seals.

[Cummins12V98]

time2roll wrote:
Follow the instructions I believe would include disassembly and inspection.
afaik filling the hub is to prevent water intrusion when launching a boat.

Otherwise pump slowly while turning the wheel.

These are not bearing buddies.

[Ron3rd]

The center hub on the ez lube hubs is normally dry initially so it takes A LOT OF GREASE the first time. Easily half a tube. You pump the grease in until you see clean fresh grease come out the end. I use the red grease to see this easier. The next time you'll use much less grease because the center of the hub is now full. There is no set number of pumps. Plenty of YouTube videos to show you how.

Rotating the wheel while you're doing it is a must.

[BB_TX]

Some have reported having grease on the brakes without ever having used the zerks. Apparently the assembler didn’t follow instructions either.

[Slownsy]

Sorry but you to are just as bad, I had a new travel trailer som years ago with the Dexter setup, only greased them a few times and only maybe 5 strokes while spinning wheels, at end of trip removed wheels to adjust brakes as not stopping to great, and guess what grease on to brakes, so maybe the luck of the draw, or maybe som manufacturer use better seals than others.
Frank.

[time2roll]

Follow the instructions I believe would include disassembly and inspection.
afaik filling the hub is to prevent water intrusion when launching a boat.

Otherwise pump slowly while turning the wheel.

[TXiceman]

BB_TX wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
….

I have that system and have pumped many tubes of grease into them and NEVER had a bit of grease come out the back. I have disk brakes so it's easy to tell.
….
.

Every time EZ Lube comes up there are those who immediately say don’t do it or you will get grease on your brakes. Two or three of those I asked if they had actually done that. And they admitted they had not and were only repeating what they had heard. No doubt some have gotten grease on their brakes. And questionable if those followed Dexter guidelines exactly, either pumping to fast, not continuously turning the wheel, using a pneumatic gun, etc.

Yes, too many declare a product bad, just because they fail to follow the instructions. I had EZ Lube axles on two trailers and never an issue with blowing the seals, but I read and follow instructions.


Ken

[BB_TX]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
….

I have that system and have pumped many tubes of grease into them and NEVER had a bit of grease come out the back. I have disk brakes so it's easy to tell.
….
.

Every time EZ Lube comes up there are those who immediately say don’t do it or you will get grease on your brakes. Two or three of those I asked if they had actually done that. And they admitted they had not and were only repeating what they had heard. No doubt some have gotten grease on their brakes. And questionable if those followed Dexter guidelines exactly, either pumping to fast, not continuously turning the wheel, using a pneumatic gun, etc.

[laknox]

smithrjd wrote:
2011 Jayco 321RLTS, greasing the hubs (bearing buddy style with zerks under the caps) Been way to long since I have done that. No time to go to the way to busy dealer before a trip. Stroke till grease flows?

Are they actual Bearing Buddies or are they EZLube axles? If an EZLube, then jack each wheel up, grease until you hear air crackling out of the seal, then stop. Spin the wheel while doing so. I did that for 13 years on my old Komfort and never blew a seal or even leaked grease. When I did have the bearings and seals replaced (with USA Timkens) after about 10 years, the shop said the bearings were still tight, virtually unworn and could have been re-used. I opted to replace them all and continued my "normal" practice for the next 3 years, until I sold it, with no issues. YMMV...

Lyle

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

smithrjd wrote:
TX iceman, yep that is what I have, the Dexter axles. Going to need another tube or two of grease..

If you put even a half tube of grease into the four hubs, you will likely grease the brakes.

I have that system and have pumped many tubes of grease into them and NEVER had a bit of grease come out the back. I have disk brakes so it's easy to tell.

Use quality synthetic that will flow easily. DON'T use a pneumatic grease gun.

Have someone spin the tire and pump as fast as you like and the old grease will start coming out. Simply wipe off and when new grease appears you are done.

For this system to work properly you need QUALITY seals like National.

All sounds good ,until it doesn't . IMO nothing replaces hand packing those bearings. Where do you suppose all those tubes of grease go if that old grease does not come out, you failed to mention that ,then what. Stop pumping , maybe, maybe take a look behind the hub ??? Two things pack the bearings by hand ,and inspect ,and adjust brakes if necessary . No not all have disc brakes .

I bought my present fifth wheel from a friend , and the bearings were not due to be packed ,according to him. Well I got lucky ,I had a slow leak in a tire that needed to be fixed ,removed the tire ,not knowing the size of grease seals, thought it would be a good time to see for future bearing packing. I pulled the caliper, I do have disc brakes ,and the brake shoes were all but wore out, so close I would of most likely ruined some rotors on my summer trip. . If I did as purposed by many , pumping grease into those bearings I would have ruined some rotors. Plus the wheel bearings got packed properly, and new brake shoes ,good to go . Ya ,no fan of this pumping grease into those bearings, and would never recommend it .

[Cummins12V98]

rhagfo wrote:

smithrjd wrote:
TX iceman, yep that is what I have, the Dexter axles. Going to need another tube or two of grease..

If you put even a half tube of grease into the four hubs, you will likely grease the brakes.

I have that system and have pumped many tubes of grease into them and NEVER had a bit of grease come out the back. I have disk brakes so it's easy to tell.

Use quality synthetic that will flow easily. DON'T use a pneumatic grease gun.

Have someone spin the tire and pump as fast as you like and the old grease will start coming out. Simply wipe off and when new grease appears you are done.

For this system to work properly you need QUALITY seals like National.

[Lynnmor]

Didn't you grease the wheel bearings the last time you inspected the brakes?

[Nv_Guy]

Where did the grease go that was in the hub / bearings?
Why is there a need to "add" grease?
Trailer hubs do not used or consume grease.
Putting fresh grease into a failing bearing will not make it last longer. If the seal has failed and leaked grease into the brakes, your adding more won't improve things.
As you are pumping grease several things can happen- the grease you are pumping in may flow out of the outside bearing or if the seal is weak grease will go into your brakes or maybe both.

[rhagfo]

smithrjd wrote:
TX iceman, yep that is what I have, the Dexter axles. Going to need another tube or two of grease..

If you put even a half tube of grease into the four hubs, you will likely grease the brakes.

[BB_TX]

As TXiceman posted. Those are Dexter EZ Lube axles. And definitely takes a LOT of grease to properly grease the inner and outer bearings. Follow the video carefully. Many people say absolutely do not grease those zerks. But done correctly it works well.