How Often Should Trailer Hubs Get Greased with EZ Lube Spindles

Updated 10/17/2017 | Published 10/16/2017

Question:

You guys were great helping provide part# for replacement bearing kits. I bought 2 sets to carry with me for just in case failures. I have zirk fitting on my axles, so greasing them is somewhat easy after pulling off the wheel. How often should I grease with zirk fitting? Any pitfalls to just adding new grease with zirk fitting? When is it time to completely disassemble bearing, races, etc, and clean out old grease and repack bearing with new grease? Thanks for your help!

asked by: Jeff C

Expert Reply:

Standard tapered trailer wheel bearings are recommended to be re-packed with fresh bearing grease about every year or every 12,000 miles under normal use. In certain conditions this interval could be shorter, such as if you routinely tow the trailer under conditions of extreme heat or near its maximum load capacity. This and other recommended trailer maintenance procedures are outlined in the linked article, which may interest you.

With the EZ lube zerk fitting you'll want to pump grease until you begin to see the outer bearing move or you see grease seeping through the outer bearing. If you pump the grease slowly and rotate the hub, you should not blow the grease seal. Once you see the grease seeping through, you can install the washer, spindle nut and nut retainer. Keep in mind, when threading on the castle nut, you will want to tighten the nut until it is hand tight and then slightly back it off.

expert reply by: Jameson C