How to Determine if a Hub Was Originally Designed as an Oil Bath or Grease Hub

Updated 06/08/2012 | Published 06/07/2012

Question:

I have a 2002 Newmar trailer with dual tires and two axles fifth wheel. It has the Dexter 10000 axles with the 12X4 shoes. My question is that it has an outer plastic hub with a rubber inspection hole in the middle. It came with no oil in the hubs but is it made to put oil in it? It is just like semi trailers that have oil in. Or should I keep on just packing the bearings? Thanks

asked by: Larry C

Expert Reply:

An easy way to tell if your hubs were originally oil filled or packed with grease is to remove the cap of the hub. Typically, if it is a press-in cap it is a grease hub, and if it is a screw-in cap it is an oil bath hub.

Not only do semi trailers use oil bath hubs, there are many heavy duty trailers that will use them as well. If you have been putting grease in your hub so far and it has been working well for you, then I would just stay with the grease.

I attached an FAQ article on lubricating greases for you to check out.

expert reply by: Jameson C