ultra-lube or EZ lube axles

[SRehberg]

Has anyone had any experience with the Ultra-lube axles by Hayes, or the EZ Lube axles by Dexter? They appear to be the answere to the yearly lube jobe, but the local RV supplier advised against them. He stated usually to much grease is applied, goes beyond the rear seal, and contaminates the brake linings. The down side of not pulling the hubs yearly, is the fact you may miss worn, or broken brake parts/linings that would need replacement. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Dieselnerd]

I've got the Dexter EZ Lube. They came stock on my HitchHiker fifth wheel. You can't put too much grease in because it comes right out again. To lube the bearings you pump in grease until fresh grease comes out. The grease actually enters the bearing right back at the seal and works its way out to the front bringing fresh grease through the whole hub. The problem arises when you put the rubber plug back in the center WITHOUT cleaning out all the extra grease that you pumped out. As the bearings heat during towing, the grease expands and has no place to go so some gets by the seal and on to the brakes. It doesn't tell you that in the Dexter manual that comes with the EZ Lube axles. Once you learn the trick (maybe your dealer hasn't) they work like a dream. You do need to pull the hubs periodically to check the linings and magnets. I check mine every couple of years and there is still no sign of wear. I adjust and check the brakes every year for proper operation as I grease the hubs.

 

[DocStressor]

I've looked into both of these products for my EZloader boat trailer. The trailer manufacture advised against both products with a "we haven't tested them" sort of approach. They had a problem with the Ultra-lube using oil rather than grease in a submersible boat trailer application, although they noted that the system works great on big rigs. The concern is that water would be drawn into the bearings when a hot axle is submerged in cold water. They felt that the oil would not provide as good a seal as NL-2 grease. But they had no instance where this had actually occurred. I think that if water was to get into the bearing, you could see this easily through the clear end cap. As far as the Dexter product, they had the same concern that Dieselnerd just explained. People would overfill the system. But the same problem exists with standard "bearing buddies", which they do recommend.



I'm going to go with the Dexter EZ lube for the boat trailer since it can use standard marine grease. If I had a travel trailer where submersion is not a problem, I'd go with the Ultra-lube system.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Lee, I would be somewhat concerned about submerging the Dexter EZ Lube axles. I don't believe they were designed for marine use. Unlike the Bearing Buddies which maintain a positive internal pressure with a spring, the EZ Lubes do not. The only pressure that occurs is from heat expansion. As long as there is plenty of air in the outside hub cover there isn't enough pressure built up to force grease into the brakes. If you cooled it suddenly by backing into the water I think you may get water drawn into the hub. When the Bearing Buddy cools, the spring maintains the internal pressure as long as you had enough grease (but not too much) inside. Just my opinion, but, I have had my EZ Lubes totally apart and knowing how the 2 piece rotating seal works, I think there is a good chance of getting water in your bearings.

 

[SRehberg]

The axles sound great. I can see where the pressure would act like a bearing buddy, forcing the grease past the seal, causing major problems. I appreciate the tip about keeping the rubber plug open to let the pressure escape. I think I'll go for it and put this yearly packing behind me.

 

[DocStressor]

Dieselnerd - Thanks a lot! You saved me from making a BIG mistake. Looking at a diagram of the E-Z lubes, I though there was a pressure spring similar to the bearing buddy setup. Boats US sells these things but they sound like a dry land solution only. Looks like I'm going to have to keep re-packing mine each year and stick with the bearing buddies.

 

[Paul Somers]

I have dexter ez lub and do not use this feature. First time I pulled wheels, three had grease soaked brake shoes. Replaced all brake shoes and pack bearings the old fashion way ( hand with grease ). I know dexter says lub every year but do you do front wheels on your car every year? Same taper roller bearings, same grease cap and same seal. I think it is more of an inspections than a re-pack. Dexter now has never lub axels. Have roller bearings instead of taper bearings.

 

[Terry]

I have a EZ Loader trailer for my Whaler. It has Sure Lube hubs on it as it came from the manufacturer. They work great, as you pump grease into the cap it forces the old stuff out a hole drilled thru the axel. There made by a company named Reliable.

 

[DocStressor]

Terry -- Do the Sure Lube axles pressurize the grease?

 

[Terry]

Lee, the Sure Lube's as they come from the factory have a zerk fitting on what looks like a regular dust cap. You know, the metal dust cap that covers the nut to adjust the bearing. I changed mine out to a Bearing Buddy cap so I can tell buy looking if I need to add grease before I put it in the water. I wanted to be able to be sure that the hubs are pressurized before submerging them. Try a search at http://www.northerntool.com/