I was looking at my trailer axls and noticed they are the easy lube dexters. I was going to take it in to grease the bearings, but since it is a easy lube and I have a grease gun I may do it myself. How much grease do you put in and does the excess/old grease have a way out? What else should I check.
And why is it some times there is the "attach a file to this thread after posting" button and other times there isn't?
Posted 2005-05-01 3:57 PM (#24556 - in reply to #24550) Subject: RE: lubing axls
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Posts: 333
Boy there was just a good thread on packing wheel bearings about a week ago... Kay from Indiana who owns a trailer dealership warned about putting grease into the axles and, as you have guessed, too much will blow out the back and do some damage to the breaks.
Posted 2005-05-01 5:45 PM (#24558 - in reply to #24556) Subject: RE: lubing axls
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Posts: 2689
Originally written by Jbsny on 2005-05-01 3:57 PM
Boy there was just a good thread on packing wheel bearings about a week ago... Kay from Indiana who owns a trailer dealership warned about putting grease into the axles and, as you have guessed, too much will blow out the back and do some damage to the breaks.
Jbsny
Too much PRESSURE could blow out a rear seal. You'd need a heck of a grip to pump enough grease at a high enough rate to get such a pressure, you'd probably also need a major blockage - or you'd be using a powered grease gun.
To the O/P; Yes, the old grease will make it's presence obvious(-:
It will squeeze out where you can see it, keep pumping until you see CLEAN grease - there is usually a distinct color change. Personally I remove the whole metal cap, not just the rubber plug. If you remove the cap and water comes out you probably already have a blown inner seal anyway. Take a bit of care when removing the rubber plugs, screwdrivers DO cut them, then water can get in.
Posted 2005-05-02 9:21 PM (#24607 - in reply to #24558) Subject: RE: lubing axls
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Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
Thanks. I already have one rubber plug torn so I have ordered new ones for all the axles. Is there anything else that should be greased while I do this? The local shop wants $100 for labour and then parts are more. They said they will replace all the seals and bearings and re pack it. I may have it done this year so I know it has been done recently, but for the next couple of years I could grease it myself.
Posted 2005-05-02 9:42 PM (#24609 - in reply to #24607) Subject: RE: lubing axls
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Originally written by Terri on 2005-05-02 9:21 PM
Thanks. I already have one rubber plug torn so I have ordered new ones for all the axles. Is there anything else that should be greased while I do this? The local shop wants $100 for labour and then parts are more. They said they will replace all the seals and bearings and re pack it. I may have it done this year so I know it has been done recently, but for the next couple of years I could grease it myself.
I have a few spare rubber plugs, they're the same as on most boat trailers and I get snagged for axle lubes at the club. Just about every boat trailer has at least one cup with water in it, it always seems to be the one that has a cut plug (-:
The tip is to NOT mind getting your hands dirty and just push the plug in, then you can grasp it and pull it out.
I doubt that they can replace ALL the bearings and seals for $100 including labor; well maybe, retail is about $12 per set so $50 for parts and $50 for 40 minutes work. Isn't this a new/new'ish trailer ?
I need to run DIY classes for this stuff, give talks at the local 4H...
Posted 2005-05-02 9:56 PM (#24610 - in reply to #24609) Subject: RE: lubing axls
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Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
It was $100 for labour, parts are extra. (checking breaks and inspecting/ repacking bearings, replacing seals) The trailer is a 98. I bought it last year. When I bought it, the dealer said they had just lubed the axle/bearings, but I don't know if they actually took it apart and checked the bearings. I guess I could call and ask.
lubing axls
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