Bearing Greasing Question

[timswi]

Have a tandem with zerks behind rubber caps. They aren't bearing buddies. I shot about 10 (air gun) blasts of grease into each assembly and there was no overflow..Is this normal? How do you know if there's too much or not enough?...I can see the locknut behind the zerk.

 

[Stimw]

That sounds like "Posi-Lub" spindle.
If it is and you are sure the grease is not coming out the back seal then you need to grease until it comes out the front.
The theory is that you can just grease and purge the old grease without taking hub off.
I don't believe in them because I have to know what condition the bearings and races are in.

 

[timswi]

That sounds like "Posi-Lub" spindle.
If it is and you are sure the grease is not coming out the back seal then you need to grease until it comes out the front.
The theory is that you can just grease and purge the old grease without taking hub off.
I don't believe in them because I have to know what condition the bearings and races are in.

Thanks..I feel the same way in terms of inspection..This is only one year old, so I'm hoping all is good at this point..I don't have time to tear it apart this week and I need it for a somewhat long haul coming up...Ergo my concern/question.

 

[Harry in Ky]

Personally, I would never use those grease fittings, especially if you have brakes. Most of the ones I've seen have a drilling through the spindle and a cross drilling between the seal and the inner bearing. I guess the theory is grease enters behind the bearing, flows through to the hub and outer bearing, eventually coming out the front. I've seen too many where the grease won't pass through the bearing - just pushes the seal out, runs all over and lubes up the brake shoes. Pull them down and pack the bearings. I would remove the zirk and toss it into the weeds.

 

[Diamondpilot]

We use these all the time in the marine world. The trick is using quality double lip seals. Grease till you see it coming out. It will probably take 2 tubes to do 4 hubs.

Chris

 

[timswi]

We use these all the time in the marine world. The trick is using quality double lip seals. Grease till you see it coming out. It will probably take 2 tubes to do 4 hubs.

Chris

Thanks...So I really can't overdo it then?

 

[Orange 08]

I think a hand grease gun may be a little more controlled. You don't want it to come out the back.

 

[deere5105]

Was just about to post this same question. I have a 22' tandem axle with 6K axles with brakes on each. My axles have the zero fittings. Have never greased in two to three years of owning and have never pulled it loaded over 20 miles each way.

Last night upon returning from a 10 mile trip with my 5303 with FEL mounted and my 8' 3pt disk I thought to feel of the hubs and they were warm to hot to the touch. I use JD Polyurea grease on everything. Would it be suitable for this application and when do you quit applying the grease? About two to three miles before arriving at my destination is a long hill. Is it possible/likely the brakes contributed to the heating?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Both brakes and bearings can cause heat. Just make sure the grease you usebis rated for brakes and if the trailer has Disc Brakes that requires a special grease.

Chris

 

[Stimw]

I stand by my post.
If I get a trailer that has the Posi-lub axles I will install regular dust caps and inspect and repack.
And on my boat trailers I will install Bearing Buddies and inspect and repack once a year because I only use them in saltwater.
Nothing like losing a wheel to spoil an offshore fishing trip!
If I take a trip to the Keys it's 1000 miles round trip, I always repack before leaving. I don't want to ruin a fishing/SCUBA Diving trip because of a wheel bearing!

 

[sld]

Wheel bearing grease is not consumed. I don't see how you can be adding so much, and not seeing the results, unless it was close to being dry.

Maybe on something new, they greased the bearing like you would on a car and now you are just filling the cavity between the inner and outer bearings until something visible happens.

Either way, I have bearing buddies on my boat and I will give them a few squirts a couple of times per year. Each time though I can see the old grease coming out right away.

 

[timswi]

Wheel bearing grease is not consumed. I don't see how you can be adding so much, and not seeing the results, unless it was close to being dry.

Maybe on something new, they greased the bearing like you would on a car and now you are just filling the cavity between the inner and outer bearings until something visible happens.

Either way, I have bearing buddies on my boat and I will give them a few squirts a couple of times per year. Each time though I can see the old grease coming out right away.

I think that's what is going on. When I had it inspected and they checked the brakes I don't remember gobs of grease coming out when the popped the outer bearing...But to be honest, the trailer was only 2 weeks old so I wasn't paying close attention...My bad there.

 

[hosspuller]

I never grease the Eze-lube axles. They depend on the rear seal to contain and direct the grease.

If the rear seal blows out the grease is pumped into the brake area of the wheel.

You don't want this ...

 

[Diamondpilot]

I never grease the Eze-lube axles. They depend on the rear seal to contain and direct the grease.

If the rear seal blows out the grease is pumped into the brake area of the wheel.

You don't want this ... <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=339386"/>

Like I said, a quality double lip seal.

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

I think that's what is going on. When I had it inspected and they checked the brakes I don't remember gobs of grease coming out when the popped the outer bearing...But to be honest, the trailer was only 2 weeks old so I wasn't paying close attention...My bad there.

there ws probably a cavity. installed may have just packed the bearings and installed.

when I get those grease thru axles like that. I usually jack up that side and spin the wheel while greasing it. it can help prevent that situation where grease has a hard time going thru the bearing, and instead travels out the rear seal.. even a cheap single lip oe seal ( like many places use ) should stand up to that practice..

 

[FTG-05]

there ws probably a cavity. installed may have just packed the bearings and installed.

when I get those grease thru axles like that. I usually jack up that side and spin the wheel while greasing it. it can help prevent that situation where grease has a hard time going thru the bearing, and instead travels out the rear seal.. even a cheap single lip oe seal ( like many places use ) should stand up to that practice..

That's what I do with my axles/wheel bearings as well. All my trailers have the EZ lube axles, never had a seal blow out - yet.

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. same here. -0- seal blow outs. even on the cheaper oe seals. now.. if i repalce a seal.. I upgrade it.. but not asingle blow out spinning and greasing it.

 

[deere5105]

Attached are pictures of both the outside of the wheel and behind the wheel. This is the first trailer I have owned with grease fittings on the axles. I believe these are the E Z Lube axles being mentioned??? with standard drum brakes. I have never attempted to add grease as it is fairly new and hardly used. From following other posts it would seem best to go ahead and grease. I have JD Polyurea in my gun now and would think it suitable for wheel bearing use but not certain.

 

[Soundguy]

i do all my wheel bearings with a stiff, hi temp grease specifically for wheel bearings. I normally clean em out the first time i service them so Iknow what's in there.. ie.. no base incompatibility issues. plus lets you pack them for sure..e tc... then you can fill up the spare cavity and know they will be good till next service. lets you inspect that seal too.

 

[timswi]

Today I called the dealer to ask about these "Easy Lube" hubs..Told him I put 10 shots in each assembly. He told me that's too much, and that I would end up with inner seal leakage if I didn't remove some of the grease. After work, I tore down all 4 hubs---He was full of it. I could see some grease being pushed through the inner bearing but not anywhere near enough to cause a pressure situation that could cause a seal leak...There's an hour and a half I'll never get back..Good grief!