Difference Between EZ Lube Compatible Hubs and Regular Hubs

Updated 04/26/2016 | Published 04/22/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Trailer Idler Hub Assembly for 3,500-lb Axles - 5 on 4-1/2 - Pre-Greased

(1476)

$55.31

Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors - Model 1980A-SS w/ Auto Check - Stainless Steel (Pair)

(1603)

$42.94

Question:

Hi - What exactly is meant by Easy-Lube hubs, please? Do the wheel bearings have grease fittings? No grease? Thank you.

asked by: John

Expert Reply:

Some trailers are equipped with EZ Lube spindles, which have a grease fitting or zerk in the end of the spindle, and a small hole in the spindle that lets grease enter the interior of the hub and reach the bearings. This allows grease to be added to the trailer hubs, but the bearings would still need to be inspected and repacked before installation.

The only difference between an EZ Lube hub and a non-EZ Lube Hub would be the grease cap. For an EZ Lube hub, the grease cap would have a removable plug to make the grease fitting easy to access without needing to remove the grease cap.

Having EZ Lube spindles can be handy, but you'll want to avoid overfilling the hub with grease, as it can cause the grease seals in the back of the hub to blow out and allow grease to escape out the back of the hub, and get all over everything. This can also allow water to infiltrate the hub, which can make the remaining grease less effective over time. Using double-lip grease seals make blowing out the seal less likely, but it's still possible if the hub is aggressively overfilled.

If you have standard spindles without the grease fitting, you might be able to use a Bearing Buddy, such as part # BB1980A-SS. In order to provide the correct Bearing Buddy, I'd need to know the outer wheel bearing number of your hub and the hub bore inside diameter.

expert reply by: Mike L