Greasing Bearings

[bennettommyd]

Couldn't find any threads for greasing the wheel bearings. I know about the wet bolts, but I have read in other forums different advice for greasing the wheel bearings. Some say pump till grease comes out the weep hole and some say just 4 or 5 pumps only. What's the correct way? Don't want to blow out a seal in the back.

[hankpage]

I may take some heat for this one but the correct way is to pull the hub and hand pack the bearings while inspecting the brake components. If you are going to use the ez-lube just a few pumps should be good providing the bearings were properly greased to begin with ..... This we have no way of knowing without pulling the hub so it's kind of "Catch 22". Also there is no replacement for physical inspection of bearing and races and seals. JM2¢, Hank

[Javi]

Originally Posted by hankpage

I may take some heat for this one but the correct way is to pull the hub and hand pack the bearings while inspecting the brake components. If you are going to use the ez-lube just a few pumps should be good providing the bearings were properly greased to begin with ..... This we have no way of knowing without pulling the hub so it's kind of "Catch 22". Also there is no replacement for physical inspection of bearing and races and seals. JM2¢, Hank

X2....

[Mighty Ming]

Originally Posted by hankpage

I may take some heat for this one but the correct way is to pull the hub and hand pack the bearings while inspecting the brake components. If you are going to use the ez-lube just a few pumps should be good providing the bearings were properly greased to begin with ..... This we have no way of knowing without pulling the hub so it's kind of "Catch 22". Also there is no replacement for physical inspection of bearing and races and seals. JM2¢, Hank

X-3...... Hank why would you say that you may take some heat for this one? My understanding that is the proper way!! My unit has the bearing buddy type however I put custom wheels on and the center cap covers the zerk fitting rendering it useless unless I remove the wheel. No problem cuz I don't rely on it to grease my bearings properly ... Keyword ' properly'.


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[SteveC7010]

Originally Posted by hankpage

I may take some heat for this one but the correct way is to pull the hub and hand pack the bearings while inspecting the brake components. If you are going to use the ez-lube just a few pumps should be good providing the bearings were properly greased to begin with ..... This we have no way of knowing without pulling the hub so it's kind of "Catch 22". Also there is no replacement for physical inspection of bearing and races and seals. JM2¢, Hank

No heat from here, either. I want to see those bearings at least once a year.

For the OP, the issue with just pumping grease in via the zerk fitting is that you don't know where it's going. There is at least one other thread here about this problem where one of our members ended up with grease all over the inside of the brakes. Once the grease got on the shoes, the brake was effectively useless and a possible fire hazard to boot.

So an added benefit to hand packing the bearings yearly (or more for high mileage RV'ers) is that you get to look over the brakes up close and personal. I always take that opportunity to lube the points in the brake area that should be lubed, too. Once everything is buttoned back up, while the thing is still on the jack, it's a perfect time to adjust up the brakes.

There's a "but" to all this, however. If you have E-Z Lube or similar axles, double check the maintenance manual for them to make sure there is not a need to pump some grease in via the zerks. The manufacturer's recommendations should be considered, too.

So the final point here is that each of us should have, read, and understand the complete maintenance manual for our axle/brake systems. Dexter's is readily available at http://www.dexteraxle.com/literature1 - on the right hand side of the page, pick the second group Service Manuals, and the select the drop down for 600-8K capacities. The complete manual is first choice in the list. (I don't believe any of us have the larger capacity axles, but if you do, there's a choice for that, too.) Al-Ko's is available on their website, too.

[SAABDOCTOR]

ok light the heater!! not for the post it's frickin cold out in the shop. i am with hank and steve. nothing beats a good eyeball inspection of the bearings, brakes, hardware and magnets. plus with a little effort you can drag the job out and the dw will think your working hard and bring you refreshments ps bang on the fame with a hammer and yell, that works too

[hankpage]

Originally Posted by SAABDOCTOR

ok light the heater!! not for the post it's frickin cold out in the shop. i am with hank and steve. nothing beats a good eyeball inspection of the bearings, brakes, hardware and magnets. plus with a little effort you can drag the job out and the dw will think your working hard and bring you refreshments ps bang on the fame with a hammer and yell, that works too

If that's the case, this could take a couple of weekends. And perhaps another day to torque the wheels!!! ( Nice thought but after 42 years I don't think the DW will fall for that one.)

[SAABDOCTOR]

OH GOOD I GOT 21 MORE YEARS TO KEEP PULLING THIS OFF!

[Jay D]

X2 SAABDOCTOR, rub some grease on face as well

[zuley]

And also make sure when greasing the bearings, whether by hand or by pumping grease into the EZ lube, you are using bearing grease rather than chasis grease. Chasis grease breaks down at a much lower temperature.

[SteveC7010]

Originally Posted by zuley

And also make sure when greasing the bearings, whether by hand or by pumping grease into the EZ lube, you are using bearing grease rather than chasis grease. Chasis grease breaks down at a much lower temperature.

The Dexter website offers a list of recommended hi-temp greases for this application.

[jsmith948]

My son lost a wheel bearing on his new TT 900 miles into a trip. He had, understandably, relied on the factory and his dealer's prep. The bearing that failed had been under greased. (He and I had discussed whether or not it was a good idea to add a little grease via the E-Z lube)
Based on his experience, my distrust of this E-Z lube feature, and having some time on my hands while recovering from hip surgery, I pulled the bearings apart on our 5er. With only 3500 miles on the rig, I found an ABUNDANCE of grease. The grease had been forced through the seal on two of the hubs. Luckily, the brakes had not been contaminated. Several hours and four cans of Brake-Clean and our 5er is good to go. New seals, new grease and I know they were packed correctly - piece of mind - FWIW

[bennettommyd]

Thanks for all the input. Looks like a next spring chore since my "shop" is the street in front of the house. I'll crawl under and look at everything, greasing all the wet bolts anyway.