Solution for Zerk Fitting of EZ Lube Spindle Wearing Out Rubber Cover

Updated 12/10/2025 | Published 08/12/2021

Question:

I have Dexter EZ Lube 3500 lb axles on my 2018 Karavan boat trailer, serial number 5KTBS1816JF516538. The trailer hauls a 17 foot Lowes roughneck Jon boat and OB motor. I am the original owner, and obsessive about keeping the wheel bearing assys clean, dry, and greased. My problem is the rubber caps. After a few hundred miles the zerks have cut or rubbed a circle from the rubber caps, see picture. To eliminate this problem I was hoping to install shorter zerks since I cannot find taller dust caps. I am getting real weary of replacing those rubber caps. The zerks have no hexagon shape. There are no flat sides to accommodate a wrench or socket. They are round, see picture. In a previous question, this forum stated that Dexter EZ Lube zerks are threaded. If this is true, how do I remove zerks that are round and have no flat sides?

asked by: DENNIS P

Helpful Expert Reply:

Your zerk fittings are probably press-in ones. Before you try to remove them you might see if you can find ones that are shorter than what you have. From there I would maybe try finding someone with access to a press or a welder with trailer spindle experience who could remove yours without damaging them and press in new ones.

One thing I'd like to add is that we generally don't like the EZ lube or Bearing Buddy types of ways to add grease to a hub as they often allow people to over fill the hub and blow out the seal. The best way to add grease is the old fashioned way by hand. And in doing this you wouldn't need the zerk fitting so you could cut it off and spare your rubber caps from wearing through.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Chad H.

12/10/2025

Is there really no such thing as a taller metal cap that moves the rubber cap farther away from the zerk? It seems that this would be such a simple solution. I am having the same problem with my boat trailer.