Zerc lubing for trailer hubs

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  • fscwi

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 21, 2012
    1,537
    I have a small boat 14 footer that I trailer. Up to now I have been taking the trailer hub bearings out to give them a fresh load of grease. I've been looking at some of the quick lube types with the zerc fitting, EZ Lube and Bearing Buddy seem to be the most popular. Anybody out there use these and have a recommendation?
     

    MADad

    Member
    Sep 8, 2013
    88
    Charles County
    MADad

    I used the bearing buddy system for years and highly recommend them. When the trailer is put in the water after towing to the site and the bearings go under water, they suck water into the bearings because of the temperature difference. It’s so easy to just give the bearings a pump or two of grease.
     

    Mr. Ed

    This IS my Happy Face
    MDS Supporter
    Jun 8, 2009
    7,899
    Edgewater
    I used the bearing buddy system for years and highly recommend them. When the trailer is put in the water after towing to the site and the bearings go under water, they suck water into the bearings because of the temperature difference. It’s so easy to just give the bearings a pump or two of grease.

    ^^^ What he said. Pump some grease into them BEFORE you splash the trailer to cool them off as well as fill any air gaps that might have formed during transportation.
     

    44man

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 19, 2013
    10,129
    southern md
    bearing buddies have saved me several times from running low or out of grease because I can see exactly how much is in there, I love them!
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,733
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I used Bearing Buddies since they came out and had no problems. I do suggest you let your bearings cool a little and disconnect your lights before rolling the trailer into the water. These two actions can save you $ in the long run.
     

    Mack C-85

    R.I.P.
    Jan 22, 2014
    6,522
    Littlestown, PA
    Bearing Buddies and EZ lube axles are actually two different systems.

    Bearing Buddies use a spring loaded piston built into the axle cap that you fill with grease. The spring keeps positive pressure on the grease cavity to keep the water out.

    https://goo.gl/images/J3Rh6C

    EZ lube axles push grease under pressure from the greese gun against the inner seal, forcing the old grease out of the bearings to the axle cap.

    https://goo.gl/images/YRH3v1

    Basically, BBs keep water out. EZL allows you to easily flush the bearings with new grease.

    Pardon the multiple edits...Tapatalk is not cooperating tonight!!

    Sent from my SM-J320P using Tapatalk
     

    Jim12

    Let Freedom Ring
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 30, 2013
    33,861
    Wow, we used Bearing Buddies in the '70's on the family boat trailer, and they worked great. Nice to see some products have withstood the test of time.
     

    steves1911

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 2, 2011
    3,026
    On a hill in Wv
    Bearing buddies work good. I have oil bathed hubs on my equipment trailer that are awesome. Thinking of replacing boat trailer with that style hub as well.
     

    DCSCO

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 12, 2008
    1,547
    Frederick County
    I purchased a trailer with ez lube set up. During inspection the grease seal was found pushed out with grease in the breaks. Be careful!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     

    tony b

    Ultimate Member
    Jan 20, 2012
    1,512
    Joppa
    Bearing buddies have used them on multiple trailers without any problems. I would recommend
     

    Mack C-85

    R.I.P.
    Jan 22, 2014
    6,522
    Littlestown, PA
    I purchased a trailer with ez lube set up. During inspection the grease seal was found pushed out with grease in the breaks. Be careful!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Yes, you can over pressurize and blow out seals with either system. Although it is easier to do with the EZ lubes.

    With the EZ lubes on my travel trailer, I've found that if the hubs are slightly warm and you lift and slowly spin the tire while applying the grease works best.

    Sent from my SM-J320P using Tapatalk
     
    Last edited:

    Doco Overboard

    Ultimate Member
    I always just drilled a hole through the dust cap and threaded a grease zerk into it. A little here and there and never had a problem but never had to trailer a lot to get to a body of water.
    Key thing to remember about over greasing bearings is that too much grease will make them run hot.
     

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