A tip for those that DO USE the EZ-Lube feature on their axles

[TitanMike]

For those that do use the EZ-Lube feature here's a little tip that is not included in Dexter's instructions.

You can actually see if any grease has leaked past the seal when you pumped in (by hand of course) fresh grease. The backing plate has two places that look somewhat like air scoops, one a the front and one at the rear. If you place a flashlight at the top of the "scoop" and look into the bottom of the opening you can see the rear seal as you rotate the hub. I discovered this somewhat by accident while adding some fresh lube this afternoon. The seals were perfectly free of grease when I finished.

This may make those who do grease through the EZ-Lube fittings more comfortable by knowing no grease got past the rear seal.

[babock]

It would be a great trick if you could also inspect your brakes and bearings that way! It's the reason Dexter suggests pulling your hubs yearly or 12k miles.

Just looked at the backing plate of my dexter brakes. The only hole is a 1/2" diameter hole that you could only look if you used an endoscope.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by babock

It would be a great trick if you could also inspect your brakes and bearings that way! It's the reason Dexter suggests pulling your hubs yearly or 12k miles.

Just looked at the backing plate of my dexter brakes. The only hole is a 1/2" diameter hole that you could only look if you used an endoscope.

My TT is a year newer so maybe they added the openings since your model.

I still pull my hubs, check brakes and bearings, but I use a different schedule than Dexter recommends.

[babock]

I think I know what you are talking about now. Mine have those scoops but shining a light in on one side didn't allow me to see anything from the opposite. Drum was in the way. Maybe my drums sit closer to the backing plate.

[5picker]

I think Mike's statement was to shine the light in the top of the scoop and look into the bottom of the same scoop.

[babock]

Originally Posted by 5picker

I think Mike's statement was to shine the light in the top of the scoop and look into the bottom of the same scoop.

I tried that too...no go. Drum is in the way.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by babock

I think I know what you are talking about now. Mine have those scoops but shining a light in on one side didn't allow me to see anything from the opposite. Drum was in the way. Maybe my drums sit closer to the backing plate.

When I first noticed that the seal was visible it was in ambient light. When I tried to use a flashlight it took a while to find the sweet spot as a lot of light was reflected, obscuring the seal and about 1/4" of the spindle.

A "penlight" like a lot of mechanics use to inspect hard to see parts would be better.

Granted, it's hard to see and I found it easier when I rotated the wheel (I had it up already) so the moving seal was more noticeable.

[GlowPlug]

Great tip for sure, I'll be looking at my trailer to see if I have those air scoop cutouts.
Thanks for the 411

[prairiecamper]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

For those that do use the EZ-Lube feature here's a little tip that is not included in Dexter's instructions.
************************************************** ************************************************** ******************************
This may make those who do grease through the EZ-Lube fittings more comfortable by knowing no grease got past the rear seal.

Great tip! Reading this got me thinking, the backing plates are mostly stamped steel I believe. Therefore if Dexter put in little scoops a few more holes wouldn’t matter. I think I might try to remove the the drums (in the spring) and see where the scoops are located from the inside. Then selecting a spot from the inside without interfering with the brake magnets or hardware and yet expose the seal from the outside drill a couple of pilot holes one fore one aft. Then from the outside open up the pilot holes to 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch for better viewing when assembled.
Now cover those holes from the outside with electrical knock out plugs used in residential wiring or similar type plug to keep out dirt! Remove to inspect. Would be easy peasy. Any reason for it not being doable?? Comments!


.

[DavidBo]

As luck would have it, I was in the middle of doing the annual repack of my wheel bearings when I saw this post. I'm glad I found it because I wanted to be sure the new seal held when I pumped in more grease after reinstalling the drum. Shining a flashlight through one of the scallops while looking through the one above or below gives a good view of the installed seal, I was pleased to find that all the new grease had stayed where it belonged.
The least I could do was return the favor by posting a picture before putting the wheel back on. I did my damnedest to get a shot of the view inside the hub, but I could never get the focus correct. For what it's worth, this is what the OP was talking about.
Thanks again for the post!

[Jay2504]

I have to pack my bearings this year. I am having trouble figuring out where you look at the seal at. DavidBo are you talking about looking through the flat part of the backing plate? Sorry I just can’t understand. Jay

[babock]

Originally Posted by Jay2504

I have to pack my bearings this year. I am having trouble figuring out where you look at the seal at. DavidBo are you talking about looking through the flat part of the backing plate? Sorry I just can’t understand. Jay

If you are going to pack your bearings, you are going to be taking the hub off anyway right?

[Rockinh]

Good to know Mike. I spent a lot of time, in another life, as a mechanic and brake specialist. We repacked wheel bearings all the time and we also had some large trucks. The rear axles bearings were lubed by the oil in the differential but the front axles were tapered roller bearings. These bearings should be repacked anytime you pull a drum. Not so much because they lack lube, but more likely because they may have been contaminated by pulling the drum. Actually, I have never seen a properly packed wheel bearing running out of lube. They dont spin very fast and unless they are removed, they are not likely to get contaminated unless the seal is bad. To late to make this a short one but the takeaway is, if you pull the drum, the bearings need to be repacked.

[DavidBo]

Originally Posted by Jay2504

I have to pack my bearings this year. I am having trouble figuring out where you look at the seal at. DavidBo are you talking about looking through the flat part of the backing plate? Sorry I just can’t understand. Jay

Just shine a flashlight through the lower gap while looking through the top. Get the right angle and you can clearly see where the spindle enters the seal. If the seal is leaking you'll see grease everywhere, not a good thing with the brake shoes only inches away.

[DavidBo]

Originally Posted by babock

If you are going to pack your bearings, you are going to be taking the hub off anyway right?

After reinstalling the drum I pumped some fresh grease into the axle to fill up the hub, getting a peek inside ensures that the new seal wasn't damaged during installation.

[Jay2504]

Thank you very much for explaining it to me. In the spring, when I check things out I will try it. The tire must be removed to do this or a person has to be very good with a mirror! If we keep the unit we have I’m getting new tires anyway. 4 seasons and about 18,000 miles is far enough to push OEM tires. Jay

[BOO-BOO-IS-IN-CAMP]

STUPID QUESTION
we have a 2014 2608ws forest river UL
iv never owned a dexter axel trailer ..

My Question
How did or do you get the trailer high enough off the ground.
iv read you cant just jack it up ...

most of mine iv put wheel bearing buddies ...

2000 dodge ram 3500 dully 5.9 cummins
2014 forest river UL 2608ws
2007 puma 249rbs 5th wheel for sale
2002 keystone 259rb TT
1990 Class A P30 Allegro red bay Alabama 28'

[Bama Rambler]

Originally Posted by BOO-BOO-IS-IN-CAMP

STUPID QUESTION
we have a 2014 Rockwood 2608ws
I've never owned a Dexter axle trailer ..

My Question
How did or do you get the trailer high enough off the ground.
I'vev read you cant just jack it up ...

most of mine I've put wheel bearing buddies ...

You can jack it up, you just shouldn't jack on the axle tube. As long as you jack on the frame you'll be fine. I try to jack between the wheels on the frame, but if I can't get there, jacking just in front of, or just behind the axles is fine.

[jimmarako]

I'm not sure why people are so afraid of the Ez-Lube axles. Yes I've read the various posts. Most of which seem to be " a buddy of mine had a friend who blew a rear seal using this and (and not with a air gun)".

When I was in high school in the 70's/80's We use to tune up our cars every month. Tweak the dwell (remember that?), the timing, adjust the carbs a bit. Anything to get an extra 0.5 HP out of the monster 250ci inline 6 in my Nova. That bad boy had to put out 125HP at least.

Fast forward to today with a wife, full time job, house, dogs, horse, trailers, property to maintain,..... I still like tinkering with things, but unfortunately 98% of the jobs I do I now consider work (not fun) and need to be done as quickly and as infrequently as possible. 100K tune ups.... nice. Hoses that last the 12 year life of the car... wonderful. Mobile one for extended oil changes. Worth the $$

So while I appreciate the OP pointing out how to monitor the rear seals, if your going to bother pulling the tires off, just pull the hubs and be done with it. Otherwise I'll be leaving the tires one and be slowly spinning them.

To be fair the time I did it, it wasn't quite as easy as I hoped. My grease didn't come out all nice and smooth along the gun as shown in the video. Made a bit more of a mess. But still easier than pulling everything off.

Jim M.

[Mike223]

I have a 2018 FR 23bhxl Wildwood. I purchased it last year around August from a dealer and it was used. I greased the Dexter ez wheel bearings with no problems. Only went about 500 miles since. Should I grease them again the spring when I get it out of storage or should they be good to go another year??
Mike