Would Too Much Grease in a Trailer Hub Cause the Grease Caps to Fall Off

Updated 06/26/2020 | Published 05/27/2014

Question:

Hello, I recently replaced my brake assemblies for my pop up camper and took it out this weekend since replacing all the races and bearings. I lost both grease caps after just a short trip around the city. I think i packed too much grease in the hub of the drums. Is there a certain amount of grease you should use? Should i use any on the inside of the hub or just the bearings themselves? How about in the grease cap itself? Any advice would be great.

asked by: Scott R

Expert Reply:

You just need to pack the bearings on hub and drum assembly # 8-276-5. There's no such thing as too much grease for bearings! If it is an EZ lube hub with a grease zerk fitting at the end of the spindle you will know there is enough grease once it starts oozing out.

You would not pack grease in the hub otherwise and not in the drum since the brakes would not be able to grab with grease in the hub.

Grease caps, dust caps, and bearing protectors have to be installed right to avoid losing them. Some you can drive in with a tool but a block of wood and a hammer will also disperse the force equally. It should be a tight fit to where you would have to use a tool or block of wood to get the grease cap in place.

If one side is in further in the hub than the other side of the same cap then eventually it will work itself free. I have linked a video and help article on packing trailer bearings for you.

expert reply by: Michael H