Dexter EZ lube - recent experience |
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Ben Herman
Senior Member Joined: 26 Apr 2018 Location: Gr Junction, CO Online Status: Offline Posts: 355 |
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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.
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seafans
Senior Member Joined: 24 Nov 2017 Online Status: Offline Posts: 155 |
Post Options Quote Reply 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.
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gpokluda
Senior Member Joined: 11 Nov 2018 Location: NM Online Status: Offline Posts: 275 |
Post Options Quote Reply 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.
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Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023) 2022 Escape 5.0TA 2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB Triumph T120 |
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Ben Herman
Senior Member Joined: 26 Apr 2018 Location: Gr Junction, CO Online Status: Offline Posts: 355 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 27 Jun 2023 at 9:33pm |
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.
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