Can Spindle with Zerk Fitting be Used with Oil Bath Hub
Published 10/17/2024
Question:
I have Big Tex 16TL 20foot Tilt trailer with 8K Dexter axles. Apparently they are oil bath hubs as they have the plastic cap on them. WHile towing today, I noticed the hub was smoking. Cap had come off or melted off and the hub was smoking bad. Pulled over to side of Hwy and saw the plastic cap was now missing. Prior to departure a half hour earlier I saw the cap was backed off a bit and some minor oil on the wheel/rim. Tightened it up and drove off. Heres the deal. THe tip of the axle has a grease zerk on it so I thought it was an EZ lube hub. Is this normal to have an oil bath hub with a grease zerk on the end of the axle. Or could someone have installed the wrong hub on the trailer at some point. Putting an oil bath hub on an ez lube axle? Thanks for the help. Also, what type of oil is used on these Dexter oil bath 8K axles/hubs?
asked by: Hoby P
Expert Reply:
Hey Hoby, so there's really no reason you couldn't convert an EZ lube spindle axle to oil bath by just swapping the oil seal the cap. The zerk fitting being present wouldn't be an issue. Most likely what happened is just that the cap came off like you noticed and the oil all came out and burned up the bearings. That's one of the downsides to oil bath is that when they lose the seal by the time you find out the hub and bearings are basically destroyed.
I attached a link to a page that has all of our 8k trailer hubs.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes - 12" - Left/Right Hand - 8K AL-KO/Hayes Axles
- Trailer Brakes
- Electric Drum Brakes
- Standard Grade
- Self Adjust
- 12 x 3-3/8 Inch Drum
- 8000 lbs Axle
- 16 Inch Wheel
- 16-1/2 Inch Wheel
- 17 Inch Wheel
- 17-1/2 Inch Wheel
- Dexter
more information >
Featured Help Information
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Q&A: Working Running Lights, But No Turn Signals or Brake Lights On Trailer
- Q&A: Hub And Drum Replacement for 90865 Rockwell Hub and Drum
- Q&A: Replacement Brakes for an AL-KO Axle. Can I Use Heavier Brakes?
- Q&A: How to Find the Spindle Number on a Trailer Axle
- Q&A: Replacement ABS Hub and Drum Assembly for 2023 Grand Design Momentum 395MS
- Q&A: Is There a Plug-In Adapter for Brake Controller on 2019 Chevy Colorado with Factory 7-Way
- Q&A: Replacement Brake Assemblies For AL-KO Brake Assemblies K363301 and K363602
- Article: Testing Trailer Brake Magnets for Proper Function
- Article: Anti-Rattle Devices
- Article: Brake Controller Installation: Starting from Scratch
- Article: Parts Required to Add Electric Over Hydraulic Drum Brakes to a Trailer
- Article: Adding Electric Over Hydraulic Disc Brakes
- Article: The 5 Best Trailer Drop Hitches You Can Buy
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
Hoby P.
10/17/2024
Thank you Jameson. So, if my trailer currently has oil bath hubs and all axles also have grease zerks can I dump all the oil out and start using grease instead of oil by pumping through the zerk like an EZ Lube? Appreciate your answer. THanks.