Question about Eazy lube axles

[Biggyniner]

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

[bid_time]

LarryJM wrote:

bid_time wrote:

Did I sum that up correctly?

NO, NO, NO ... you are so far off it's hopeless. But, I also bet you believe what every trailer and car saleman tells you too and since a HUGE number of OEMs use GY Marathon ST tires you believe those are the best tire going since they wouldn't put something on that isn't the "cat's meow" on a trailer would they. :R

Larry

No they put GY Marathons on because they are cheaper, quit the opposite of what I said.

[LarryJM]

bid_time wrote:

Did I sum that up correctly?

NO, NO, NO ... you are so far off it's hopeless. But, I also bet you believe what every trailer and car saleman tells you too and since a HUGE number of OEMs use GY Marathon ST tires you believe those are the best tire going since they wouldn't put something on that isn't the "cat's meow" on a trailer would they. :R

Larry

[hddecker]

djsamuel wrote:
Is a new rear seal required every time the bearings in the EZ Lube hub are removed and hand packed?

Yes, unless you have some way of getting the old seal out without it becoming misshapen.

Also the seal is going through untold numbers of heat cycles that take their toll on the rubber. It gets hard and becomes much easier to damage when putting the drum back on.

[Huntindog]

djsamuel wrote:
Is a new rear seal required every time the bearings in the EZ Lube hub are removed and hand packed?

I would. It also is supposed to be a special double lip seal... A regular one will fit, and that may be the cause of some of the failures that occur.

[bid_time]

oops -d-d-d-double post

[bid_time]

So let me see if I got this right. A manufacturer goes through all the extra expense of machining holes, adding threads and installing grease zerks; and in the end a lot of people are sitting along side the road with frozen wheel bearing and expensive repairs. And what does the manufacturere do, he keeps on putting the extra time and effort in to manufacture e-z lube for at least 15 years and counting.

And now you want me to believe the manufacturer either doesn't know about all these failures; or they just want to continue to spend all that extra money on something that doesn't work and is causing a lot of problems.

Did I sum that up correctly?

And I must say, I just haven't seen the bearing failures sitting alongside the road in my travels. And secondly I haven't any first hand knowledge of any.

I pull my drums and check my brake shoes when I think it's time. But these people that think e-z lube has no useful purpose, well real life doesn't seem to be supporting your views.

[djsamuel]

Is a new rear seal required every time the bearings in the EZ Lube hub are removed and hand packed?

[westend]

Larry wrote:
In any event any minor mistakes still doesn't change the bottom line that this feature is not worth the effort or HUGE amount of grease and is frought with potential downsides, blowing out the grease seal only being one.

The truth!
I'm now old enough to barely remember packing a lot of axle bearings. Back in the day, all cars and light trucks had serviceable front axle bearings. There were no Bearing Buddies or EZ Lube axles (well maybe I just didn't see any). Some trucks had a zerk on the dust cap.

The overheating-from-hub-filled thing I've never seen. I've seen many hubs packed with different layers of gnarly grease and water trapped among them but most have the bearings working alright if the bearing was properly packed. This tool takes all of the guess work out of packing bearings. If done on a reasonable schedule and using today's modern greases, there is little need for adding grease into the bearing, IMO.

[AH64ID]

BB_TX wrote:
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.

There isn't a way to check the bearing temp with everything installed. With an overfilled hub the hub will be cooler than the bearing and it's the bearing temp we are concerned with. It would be very easy to get a false sense of security if the heat cannot leave the bearing as fast.

LarryJM wrote:

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

DOH :B

Like I said, in the end do what you are comfortable with.

One thing that may help over-greased bearings is their size.A 5,200lb Al-Ko uses the same bearings as the 7K unit, and the inner is also the same as the 8K. So while a 5,200lb axle may be at it's limit the bearings are far from it so less heat is generated in the first place.

[NanciL]

I am on my second trailer with the EZ lube, and that is all I use.
I have never had a problem.
As soon as I see the new grease coming back out I stop.

I think it is imperative that no matter which method you use, you should do a walk around at every gas stop or pit stop and feel each hub for overheating

The EZ lube bearings are put there to make life easier and a lot less messier and that is why I use them

Jack L

[LarryJM]

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]

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]

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]

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