This is for those that may want to check their wheel bearings for the amount of grease in/on the wheel bearings applied at the factory, or to check if TOO MUCH grease has been applied using the EZ-Lube system. You should be at least comfortable with mechanical tools and willing to get your hands dirty.
DISCLAIMERS
I offer this picture tutorial to help you become familiar with the LIGHT DUTY EZ-Lube axle from Dexter and DO NOT consider this to be a
TOTAL PACKAGE for bearing greasing and grease seal replacment. I am not a trained mechanic. I picked up this knowledge as many of us old guys have done, by watching others do it then doing it ourselves for many years.
This is NOT a tutorial on how to repack bearings as this is covered in some great YOUtube videos which you should have watched before you look at this.
This tutorial is DESIGNED to familiarize yourself with the inner parts of the EZ-Lube axle (AT LEAST AS THEY WERE IN 2013), which is just a wee bit different from many other axles.
This post should allow you to be able to do a quick check on the condition of your wheel bearings and the condition of your brakes.
ALSO
This was photographed using my 2014 Shamrock 183 with the Dexter 2,300 - 4,000 lb dual axles (I believe). MY GVW for this trailer is about 4800# and I have two axles. Heavier duty axles MAY BE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT.
LET'S GET TO IT
I have broken this down into 15 Steps... please comment about a particular Step if you believe you can add to this tutorial.
Make sure your wheel is jacked off the ground and your trailer is stabilized so you can remove one wheel and tire.
Here are some things that you need to accomplish this...
TOOLS
very thin flat blade screwdriver
larger flat blade screwdriver
hammer... medium size... any kind will do
large crescent wrench or large pliers
shallow plastic dish
PLUS...
a can or TUBE of your favorite wheel bearing grease
PLUS these pictured items or equivalent
Gloves are not absolutely necessary but it is smart that you have them. Paper towels or LOTS of old small rags will do also.
START
Step 1
Take your fine bladed screwdriver and hammer and gently but firmly pound at the edge of the cap where shown until the cap begins to pull away from the brake drum. Work your way around the drum tapping and twisting your screwdriver until the bearing cap begins to and finally pulls away from the brake drum. You may also use the larger screwdriver to finally get the bearing cap off.
I found this part to be much more difficult to accomplish than other NON-EZ-lube axles.
You will finally expose the spindle nut (covered in grease). Set aside the removed cover in a clean area. Use a towel to wipe away some grease.
Step 2
You now have the nut retainer, which keeps the spindle nut from spinning off the axle while driving. Work your small screwdriver between the retainer and the nut until you can pry off the retainer.
Use a shallow plastic dish filled with a little BBQ lighter fluid ( or gasoline if you feel like PLAYING WITH FIRE... NO not a good idea and be sure to have gloves on) and drop in the retainer. My pan shows the large flat washer, the spindle nut and the outer bearing in the pan. I had already cleaned the retainer and it was NOT in the pan.
Step 3
Next you will unscrew the large spindle nut from the axle.
NOTE before starting about how tight/loose the nut is applied and how much force it takes to screw ON then OFF this nut. This will be important to know when we re-assemble.
This may or may not require the crescent wrench or pliers to get it started. Once started it should come off smoothly. Unscrew the nut, wipe it off and drop into the pan.
Step 4
Now, probe with your finger and small screwdriver as there is a large flat washer next to the outer bearing that will easily pull off the spindle. Toss that into the pan.
Step 5
Finally grab hold of the brake drum and start pulling and wiggling it toward you until the bearing is visible. Push the drum back on a bit and the outer bearing is then easy to grab. Pull off the outer bearing , wipe off the excess grease and throw it into the pan.
At this point if you do not have any gloves on you will wish that you did.
Step 6
Dampen a rag in the solvent of your choice and proceed to clean off the old grease from the parts in the pan. Be careful not to contaminate those parts with dirt or old grease. This is where plenty of rags comes in handy.
Continued on next post...