E-Z Lube axles (I hate mine at the moment)

B

BillWilliams

Member
Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2000
RO Number
2904
Messages
279
The trailer that came with the boat we purchased last July has the E-Z Lube (also called Posi-Lube) system. These have the rubber plugs in the dust caps that you remove to get to the zerk fitting that is pressed into the end of the spindle. The grease exits the spindle in the back by the seal and then pushes the grease towards the open dust cap. Of course the theory is it pushes out the bad grease.

Before the end of last year, I noticed every time we used the boat, water was getting into the grease.

Our previous boat of 20 years had old bearing buddies on it and I never had an issue with those so I decided to put them on this trailer since I was wondering if the rubber plug was allowing the water in. I did deal with the zerk fittings so they did not contact the bearing buddy.

I repacked the hubs with the bearing buddies right before a trip to Florida late in September and made it there and back with no issues. That was the last time the boat was used until yesterday.

I put some grease into the bearing buddies so there was pressure against the piston. Since I just repacked them last fall, I did not do that this spring.

When we got home yesterday, the left rear wheel bearing was burned up, bearing buddy gone and lucky the wheel stayed on. This is the first wheel bearing hub I've ever burned up in over 20 years of owning trailered boats.

The spindle is pretty chewed up and the inner bearing race is stuck on the spindle. I'm probably just going to replace that axle because I don't want to worry about a buggered up spindle driving down the road.

The thing is all of the replacements I'm finding use the E-Z lube system as well.

Now after this long winded story, I was wondering if the other good folks around here have the water intrusion issues in their E-Z lube systems? Quite obviously the bearing buddies didn't help.

Thanks
 
I have a new LoadRite trailer with a Super Lube hub. This has a grease fitting in the inner side of the hub and it's claimed less likely to blow out the seal like one could possibly do with a Bearing Buddy.

You use a normal dust cap.
 
In the E-Z Lube axle what is the seal on the outside surface of the hub where the old grease is pushed towards. Is the rubber plug the seal to prevent water from getting in? How good a seal is the rubber plug?
 
The plug does fit tightly; however, you know the hub will be warm when you reach the boat ramp so I'm thinking the cool water causes everything to contract and allows water in.

I didn't know if you're suppose to total fill the entire hub cavity including the dust cap to the point where the zerk itself if buried under the grease.
 
I also came across an axle seal with an included SS sleeve that slides over the axle shaft and the seal is then from the rubber seal to SS sleeve. This can help with an axle shaft that has damage or rust or a groove in the area where the seal does the sealing.
 
When I repacked the bearings last year, the axle shaft seems fine with no pits or anything like that.

Since I'll be replacing the entire axle for the wheel that burned up, hopefully that won't be an issue:).
 
How about using a regular dust cap? How often do you need to grease the zerk?
 
I like to put fresh grease in the hubs throughout the season. Not like re-packing them but to give them a shot or two from the grease gun.
 
Last edited:
So maybe the initial problem was a defective seal or a damaged spindle sealing area.

The grease in the bearing should last for a long long time if water is kept out.

Carry a IR thermometer you can point at the hub and check the temp.
 
I do have the an IR thermometer and have it with me. I just didn't use it Saturday.
 
I've had the Super Lube hubs (also called Spindle Lube) for approx 15 years and have had no problems with them. I have changed the seals a few times when replacing the drum brake backing plates but the bearings are still original.
 
I had something like that when I had a trailered boat and they worked fine. I think it's way better than the older system.

But, installing "Bearing Buddies" was a bad idea and probably has something to do with your problems.
 
Yes bearing buddies do NOT belong on those, I have not had trouble with the rubber caps leaking in water, even if you did you could use the Fulton plastic/rubber hub covers for extra protection....

the problem with bearing buddies on this system is that if you greased it with them installed there is no way for the excess grease to escape and you'd be likely to blow the seal in the hub.
in this case I'd be looking at the seals you are using and the surface they ride on.
 
So when this axle lube system is working properly, is it the best one out there?
 
ddurand said:
So when this axle lube system is working properly, is it the best one out there?
Click to expand...
I think so. And it's hard to imagine it not working properly, It's basically a grease fitting and two holes drilled in the spindle.

To change the grease, all you have to do is connect a grease gun and pump until you see fresh grease coming out of the bearing. Wipe away the old grease, pop the cap back on and move to the next one.
 
Dexter E-Z-Lube hubs are awesome - but as you know now, you shouldn't put Bearing Buddies or any other pressurized devices on them. Grease is meant to "wash out" into the cavity.

Curious about the water intrusion you saw - was it in the hub itself, or emulsified in the grease, or just water in the cavity beading up on the grease that had already pushed through the hub?
 
I have come across one trailer (brand new Venture) where the Sure Lube ( same as easy lube, spindle lube etc) caps seemed to let in water. In this case the factory had not filled the grease caps with grease and also when I do mine I put a coat of marine grease in the recess of the rubber cap, that helps keep out water. Meaning, recess of the cap that fits into the edge of the metal dust cover. That's what I've done with mine and in 16 years of use, no leaks. I have never had to change the bearings even once and the only thing I've done is change the seals, once or twice because I saw some seepage.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top