Greasing EZ Lube Spindles When Grease Comes Out Cotter Pin Hole

Updated 05/02/2020 | Published 10/19/2017

Products Featured in This Question

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

(1609)

$38.45

4" Carbon Fiber Digital Caliper

(26)

$11.93

Question:

when i purchased my boat trailer it came with aluminum L-shaped pins to secure the wheel nut. these pins fit the hole in the spindle snuggly, allowing me to pump grease through the spindle to the inner bearing, forcing the old grease out around the outer bearing. i cannot find these pins anywhere and am told to use a standard cotter pin but i cannot find one that fits snuggly in the hole, so now when i pump grease into the grease nipple, it squirts out around the cotter pin and likely very little grease gets to the inner bearing. am i doing something wrong? do i need to remove the cotter pin and wheel nut each time i grease to cover the holes with my fingers when i pump grease into the spindle?

asked by: Kevin R

Expert Reply:

For your EZ Lube spindles, the replacement cotter pin is just a standard pin as you stated. When you apply grease to the grease zerk on your spindle, you will be forcing grease around that pin. Removing the pin as you stated and backing that castle nut over it will work as will plugging that by hand. Your other option is to remove the grease zerk and add a bearing buddy like # BB1980A-SS that will give you a spring assisted pressure to keep the grease packed. For a Bearing Buddy, you will need to measure the inner diameter of your hub when the grease cap fits using a digital caliper like # PTW80157.

expert reply by: Jason S

Dave

5/2/2020

Dont use cotter pins. Had this problem. Solved it using a tig welding rod: 5/32. Perfect tight fit. One 36 inch rod will last longer than the trailer.