Trailer axle question

E

Erickz

Well-known member
Has anyone used a Bearing Buddy product or EZ Lube product for keeping grease in the axle hubs? There seems to be mixed comments on only using those on boat trailers where the axle might be submerged. Any thoughts/experiences?
Thanks
EZ
 
This is coming from someone who works on and state inspects a lot of these trailers. The EZ lube is not a good thing for anything but a boat trailer. My experiance has been that EVERYONE will grease them too much and blow out the seals and put grease on the brakes. Also you should be pulling the wheels once a year and checking the breaks, bearings, adjusters so you will be checking the grease at that time anyway.
Think about it this way. If you are going to add more grease where did the grease go that you need to replace.
 
Charlie - Thank you. That was exactly what I was thinking.
Thank you for your quick response.
ez
 
I have what I think is the EZ lube system on my single axle trailer. It pumps the grease through the bearings and pushes the old grease back out the front. About once a year I add grease and just wipe away the excess old grease that comes out.

I have been using that system for at least 10 years without any problems. I like it because it is very easy to maintain. I just pop the rubber cap off, pump in grease, wipe off the excess, and reinstall the rubber cap. I see no negative aspects to this system.
 
Mine has the EZ-lube system too. I had the trailer for a year or so before I tore it down for inspection. turns out one of the rear seals had leaked (and someone pumped a shload of grease in it), and the drum assembly and brakes were completely coated in grease.
 
So Gary you have been doing this for 10 years and have never taken it apart to look at the bearings and brakes?
 
I will have to admit that is true. I do check the hub temperatures when I stop to make sure they are not getting over heated. I always check to make sure the bearings are not getting loose. I did adjust them once. :eh: :shock:

I do use the trailer brake only lever occasionally to make sure they are working properly.

I can assure you that if I ever get the slightest indication of a problem, I will take them apart for a thorough inspection, maybe even before that. :think:

I am still running the original wheel bearings and ball joints on my 2002 Ranger tow vehicle without re-lubing them (they are sealed), at 168K miles. I have done a couple brake jobs during that time though.
 
Doing better than most of us. Wife's Mini had all 4 sealed bearings fail at 46K. Had a student in an '06 Mini S full prep at 18K. Just don't make 'em like they used to...
 
I have bearing buds. Just pump enough grease to get the floater plate to move a little. Mobil one grease seems to work. It would make sense that at some point the grease must go some place. i add a little each Jan 1.
I also walk around at the gas pumps and feel the hubs and brakes for temp discrepancy.
 
Bob,

My MiniCooper S failed the front hub bearings as well.......but I always drove that car like I stole it. Couldn't help it.....like a big go kart.
 
Jay... Rear bearings on wife's car worse than fronts. Left sides worse than rights but that's probably from all the high speed right hand turns at Sebring when I'm using the car for the schools every year.. usually with two students that weigh more than the car. Student's S lost the fronts on Saturday and the harmonic balancer on Sunday. Looks like the Brits taught BMW a thing or two.

Bob
 
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