EZ Lube Axles

[1l243]

I have a 2011 Work and Play 30WR. Each wheel hub has a grease fitting. I read about EZ lube Axles. What are EZ Lube Axles and how do you know if you have them? I am thinking some axles are made for grease fittings and some just have buddy bearing on it?

[Herk7769]

Here is a graphic that shows how an EZ lube works.

AL-KO Kober - Brakes, Hubs & Drums

Here is where to order parts:

etrailer.com - Al-Ko

[1l243]

That is really great information thanks. I printed some of it out to keep in my folder. From what I can see I do have EZ Lube Axles. And it looks like I got to keep pumping in grease till I see it come back out?

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by 1l243

That is really great information thanks. I printed some of it out to keep in my folder. From what I can see I do have EZ Lube Axles. And it looks like I got to keep pumping in grease till I see it come back out?

Yes. It seems to save a few cents per camper the hubs are not filled at the factory; nor do the dealers fill them when they repack them.

They justify this travesty by telling you that since they need to be inspected annually anyway, filling the hubs is a waste of money.

What rubbish. Why put EZ lubes on in that case?

One warning. NEVER, NEVER, use an air or electric powered grease gun to lube your hubs. ONLY use a manual grease gun. It is VERY easy to blow the rear "lip" seal and get grease on your brake drums.

[1l243]

Thanks I will remember that..

[TexasBBQ]

Lou - How do I figure out what axles I have. I'm certian they are the original. Is the load rating stamped somewhere? I've been looking at the etrailer.com site but not knowing what I have doesn't help in buying parts.

Not trying to hijack the thread - similar subject so I'm asking here.

[caper]

Be vary careful filling the ezhubs. I did mine last fall with a hand gun. Rear seal did not hold. I pumped grease into the break area. Did not know till going down first large hill in northern Ont. had so much grease on brakes had to replace inner plate and breaks at a cost of $85 each. Will never use grease gun on bearings again. Will pull and pack bearing the old fashion way.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by TexasBBQ

Lou - How do I figure out what axles I have. I'm certian they are the original. Is the load rating stamped somewhere? I've been looking at the etrailer.com site but not knowing what I have doesn't help in buying parts.

My info packet had the Al-Ko axle warranty info in it, but nothing else. The build sheet said it was a Dexter but the warranty card was Al-Ko.
I crawled under the camper to verify the serial numbers since somthing was obviously wrong.

The axles each had a manufacturer's plate with model and serial number located about in the center of the axle on my 5th wheel.

As to seal blow out with a hand pump, unless you are King Kong with the pump handle it is hard to push grease past a good rear seal. In my case one of my OEM Zerks was so clogged with dirt and dry grease I needed to replace it.

The mechanic who last inspected your brakes may not have put a new seal on when he pulled your hub, or he might have scratched the surface of the seal on the spindle threads sliding the hub back on. Both cases could have caused your leaker when using a hand pump to flush your hubs.


My guess is the are mechanics who service these things try to save a few bucks by not putting new rear seals on if they look OK when they do repacks and inspections.

[amxpress]

Good information.
One more tip, they recommend rotating the tire by hand when pumping the grease into the hub. Very good ides, distributes the grease more evenly thoughout the hub & bearing.

[TexasBBQ]

Originally Posted by herk7769

My info packet had the Al-Ko axle warranty info in it, but nothing else. The build sheet said it was a Dexter but the warranty card was Al-Ko.
I crawled under the camper to verify the serial numbers since somthing was obviously wrong.

The axles each had a manufacturer's plate with model and serial number located about in the center of the axle on my 5th wheel.

I'll get under there this weekend and take a look.

[TexasBBQ]

Lou - As you said there was a metal tag on each axle with the info. What is SLR?

[sherdep]

my guess is single load rating

I tried to do a search on that but didnt find anything referencing what SLR stood for

[Herk7769]

My guess is "Shock Load Rating" but a call to their tech suppport should answer it. Post here if you do contact them.

[sherdep]

Originally Posted by herk7769

My guess is "Shock Load Rating" but a call to their tech suppport should answer it. Post here if you do contact them.

after looking at what you posted Lou - I would have to bet you are right on the money with Shock Load Rating -

[BioMan]

I was told by a tech at the dealer this weekend to only put 2-3 pumps into the bearing annually as the seal is pretty easy to overfill and blow out.

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by BioMan

I was told by a tech at the dealer this weekend to only put 2-3 pumps into the bearing annually as the seal is pretty easy to overfill and blow out.

Interesting. I occasionally pump until I see the new grease coming out so that I know all of the old grease has been replaced.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by acadianbob

Interesting. I occasionally pump until I see the new grease coming out so that I know all of the old grease has been replaced.

Same here. Wipe out excess grease, pump, wipe out black grease, continue that process until it turns red....or whatever color the new grease is.

[BioMan]

Just passing along what I was told. I've always done the pump-till-clean method mentioned above as well.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by BioMan

Just passing along what I was told. I've always done the pump-till-clean method mentioned above as well.

It is good information, BioMan. I will do further research before doing my bearings this spring.

Thanks for posting.

[SaskCampers]

I pump ours out till I see clean grease as well. I do this very slllllooooly as well.