Grease cargo trailer bearings with zirc fitting?

[GON]

I recently purchased a enclosed cargo trailer with Chinese made axles, the axles are Axletek-10-GG.

Google searched and can't find the answer. The axles have zirc fittings on the end. Does not look like a bearing buddy, but possible the zirc was installed at the factory.

Can I grease the bearings using the zirc? If so, any advantages and/ or disadvantages?

 

[ls1mike]

My travel trailer has them in the spindle. It flows into the bearing cavity. You lube until old stuff starts coming back out the front around bewteen the spindle and drum.
They work just ok. Pull them apart and pack them to make sure they are good and you can add some before trips. They should not be used to repack them. I will assume it is similar to this. My travel trailer is similar.

 

[CKN]

I recently purchased a enclosed cargo trailer with Chinese made axles, the axles are Axletek-10-GG.

Google searched and can't find the answer. The axles have zirc fittings on the end. Does not look like a bearing buddy, but possible the zirc was installed at the factory.

Can I grease the bearings using the zirc? If so, any advantages and/ or disadvantages?

Advantages-You don't have to pull the wheel off-it's a dirty job.
Disadvantages-If you are not careful you can blow the seal. You cannot do a visual inspection of the other parts.
Based on your cross country move-and would do a repack.

 

[D60]

I've never understood or trusted those systems. I fail to see how they actually force grease into the cage/rollers like a proper bearing packer.

As mentioned, you're supposed to have a single lip seal so it actually lets grease out, but then seems to me that grease winds up in your drum?

I'd repack the right way (which for me anymore is with a Lisle packer, not "by hand") and decide if you want to replace your seals with a DL (double lip) or single lip for the future.

 

[P10crew]

Op, Dexter is where I get my axles from and I specify the EZ -lube option. If what you have is a true EZ- lube they work as explained above. I’ve not had any problems ever with the system. Make sure to keep the rubber plug in the cap in good shape.
The correct procedure for greasing is to Jack the axle up till the tire is off the ground and get the tire spinning by hand while slowly gunning in the grease while the tire is spinning. If the tire is spinning I don’t think it’s possible to push a seal out. But who knows. I watch inside the cap till I see grease moving and stop pumping. Once you see grease moving that indicates that the grease has passed through both bearings.
The one thing that has happened to me is the grand kids were horsing around by one of my trailers and they pulled all 4 rubber plugs out and they were laying next to the trailer so keep an eye on those.

Like mentioned above since it’s a new to you trailer it might not hurt to pull them apart and go through them with new seals.
Personally I’d grease them as described above and take it out for a test spin and feel the hubs to see if they are similar temperatures. Keep in mind that one axle may have brakes so those hubs may be warmer than the axle without brakes.
Good luck!

 

[Donald]

I would do a little investigation into the bearing/lube system your axles have. When I purchased a boat trailer there were a few options on bearing/lube system.

Unless you take the bearings out and put a wad of grease in your palm and push the bearings into the grease you are missing out on one of fun activities of trailer ownership. Typically your Dad shows you how.

 

[ollie]

Op, Dexter is where I get my axles from and I specify the EZ -lube option.

Dexter axles is all I used for years when fabricating generator trailers in the 90's. Outstanding manufacturer.

 

[P10crew]

I would do a little investigation into the bearing/lube system your axles have. When I purchased a boat trailer there were a few options on bearing/lube system.

Unless you take the bearings out and put a wad of grease in your palm and push the bearings into the grease you are missing out on one of fun activities of trailer ownership. Typically your Dad shows you how.

Yeah and when you were really good you could hand pack them and not a pinch of grease left in your hand.

 

[Rob_Roy]

I am sure if you are careful you can get some fresh grease into the bearings via the zerk and not damage the seal. The part that bugs me is I have read old service manuals that detail how to repack wheel bearings and they mention not filling the hub cavity more than 50% full with grease. Timken says the same, and mentions too much grease causes churning and higher temperatures.

https://www.timken.com/pdf/10844_MDV20-Proper-Lubrication-Procedures-for-Wheel-Ends.pdf

 

[Mickey D]

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[64bawagon]

Dexter originally developed the EZ lube for boat trailers as a way to force any water from the hugs after being submerged. Unfortunately they RV industry has adopted these and many dealers now portray them as an alternative to a repack (which it is not)
Dexters manual states that the bearings should be cleaned, inspected and repack every year. https://www.dexteraxle.com/user_area/content_media/raw/600-8k_complete_service_manual.pdf
A repack involves more than just greasing the bearings. The brakes are inspected and the inner seal should be replaced. Along with that the proper torque to the axle nut. At the first service it is important to reset this because of the bearing breakin.
Obviously a different manufacturer may recommend a different plan but Dexter and also Lippert are this way.
This info is from the manual and straight from a seminar by Bill Snider from Dexter.
I avoid using the EZ lube. a properly packed bearing should not require any additional grease between servicing.
My last 3 trailers all had the brakes ruined by someone blowing the inner seal by power greasing before I took possession. Not sure who did it but its a lot of work to fix.

 

[tnt_motorsports]

@GON the recommended practice is to get the wheel off the ground and rotate the wheel while pumping fresh grease in the zerk. I do this until the grease coming out is the same bright red as the grease going in. I made a little sheet metal scooper that helps get the grease out of the cap. It can be a bit of a messy process.

I would also warn you that from the factory they bearings will have minimal grease. I’d grease them as soon as you get the trailer home. On my tandem axle travel trailer I usually go through 2 tubes of grease. The first time it was over 3.

It is recommended that you do pull the bearings apart occasionally to inspect for wear.

Just my $0.02

 

[64bawagon]

On a typical service/inspection and repack I use a little over 1/2 of a tube of grease on the entire tandem trailer. More grease isnt always better. Filling the entire hub can also reduce the hubs ability to shed heat.
https://www.machinerylubrication.co...elerated,elements and then component failure.
Note the amount of grease used on a traditional service.

This is straight from Dexter.