R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Dexter EZ lube - recent experience
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Dexter EZ lube - recent experience

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
Ben Herman View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 26 Apr 2018
Location: Gr Junction, CO
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 355
Post Options Post Options   Quote Ben Herman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Dexter EZ lube - recent experience
    Posted: 26 Jun 2023 at 6:47pm
Hi Folks - thought I'd pass along some information from a recent service on my 2016 179. The brakes were acting up a bit, so I asked my local shop (The Spring Works - an outstanding trailer and off-road shop) to check things over, including the bearings while they had things torn down. 

I know that the EZ Lube vs conventional bearing repack is an oft-contenious topic here; I don't want to weigh in on that, but do want to pass along information garnered from the business owner. They've been at it for 30 yrs and are highly regarded in the region.

He found that both brakes were contaminated with grease, and while the bearings were ok, they went ahead a manually repacked them. I should add that until now, I had been  changing the grease by  forcing out the old, dirty grease using the EZ fitting and very carefully cleaning as I went along. 

As I was checking out, I asked him for his take on this topic, and what he recommended that I do from this point forward. His view is that the only effective way to keep your bearings properly greased was the traditional way, and that he would be happy to debate a Dexter rep on the subject. Apparently they see this all the time - that no matter how careful you are with the EZ lube process, over time some of the grease is going to find its way onto surfaces where it doesnt belong, because more grease than is needed is introduced into the system. They are a very busy shop - it took me almost a month to get an appointment - so they don't need to business, I just got the impression that he'd much rather not see this problem on trailers coming in for service. 

So his advice? Once every other year, unless you are logging lots of miles on your trailer have the bearings properly repacked. In my case, it cost me around $150, but I know that many of you can do your own. 

Just thougt that pass this along, in the FWIW category. They also found a loose wire inside one of the brakes, which would only be found by pulling and visually inspecting, which would not have been found otherwise. 
Back to Top
seafans View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 24 Nov 2017
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 155
Post Options Post Options   Quote seafans Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 2023 at 10:47pm
The EZ lube system is the same on the Lippert hubs also.  My fires R-Pod,180 had both sides brakes shoes soaked with grease and my current 190 was the same way.  I only repack the bearings by hand.  Fun to play in the grease.  With gloves of course.
Back to Top
gpokluda View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 11 Nov 2018
Location: NM
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 275
Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jun 2023 at 9:10pm
I have trust issues, so I only repack bearings by hand or a quality bearing packer. I have heard way too many stories like this so I have never trusted EZ Lube.
Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Triumph T120
Back to Top
Ben Herman View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 26 Apr 2018
Location: Gr Junction, CO
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 355
Post Options Post Options   Quote Ben Herman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jun 2023 at 9:33pm
Originally posted by gpokluda

I have trust issues, so I only repack bearings by hand or a quality bearing packer. I have heard way too many stories like this so I have never trusted EZ Lube.

Agree, I learned my lesson from this experience. If I had a mechanic friend I'm sure that I could get them to show me how to do it myself. But honestly its not expensive to pay a pro, cheap insurance if you will.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz