Is There a Risk of Adding Too Much Grease to an EZ-Lube Spindle

Published 07/08/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Bearing Packer - Plastic

(181)

$8.90

Powerbuilt Deluxe Bearing Packer

(62)

$45.95

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

(1603)

$42.94

Question:

Thank you Jon for that response! I read the page, and it was helpful. Just so then I'm clear, if my TT is constructed with EZ Lube axle and has no Bearing Protector on it, that means yes I can use the EZ Lube feature with a grease gun with no risk of breaking a seal? And furthermore, which product of Grease would you (etrailer) recommend going forward with a grease gun? Thanks again for your help!

asked by: Aaron

Expert Reply:

When you are replacing bearings you do want to pack them prior to installing the new ones into your hub. This ensures that the grease actually gets pushed completely into the bearings so that they work properly and don't overheat. You can use a bearing packer like part # PTW1218 or # ALL647646 to accomplish this. The grease zerk fittings on your EZ-Lube spindles you are talking about are more for adding grease between changing out bearings/seals/hubs.

I believe the section of our linked bearing FAQ you are talking about is where we mention pumping grease into the hub when using bearing protectors. We are actually talking about something like the Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors # BB1980A-SS which put more pressure on the grease to help keep water out of the hub. Since these put pressure on the grease you can experience a blowout as the grease seal will be the weakest section. For EZ-Lube spindles they are designed to allow the grease to seep out around the washer so you can't actually put that pressure on the grease seal. If you just have EZ-Lube spindles then what you initially read is correct. If you have bearing protectors then you do need to be cautious about overfilling your hubs with grease.

expert reply by: Jon G

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Aaron

7/8/2019

Jon G.

7/8/2019

That is correct, you don't have to worry about breaking your seal if you only have the EZ-Lube spindles. The only time people see blowouts with EZ-Lube spindles is when they are poorly maintained so there is really old, gunked up grease inside the hub. We recommend repacking your hubs at least once a year so if you do that you don't have anything to worry about. For a grease gun I recommend the LubriMatic Professional Pistol Grease Gun # L30416 because it comes with a flexible hose to help make the process easier. Please be sure to use a grease that is compatible with the current grease in your hubs. Otherwise some grease types won't mix well and will either cause the grease to become too wet or dry and ineffective. I have attached a chart that shows which grease types are compatible with each other.