General Trailer Maintenance

[C_M_25]

I had quite the year last year when it came to my trailer. Had multiple seal failures and issues with trailer overloading. The trailer problems are solved, but I noticed, when I was adding grease last year, I had a fair amount of water in the hub. I have those axles with the grease zerk where you can add grease and it pushes water/old grease back out the front.

My question is how often should I add grease to the hubs to "push" out any water that comes in? Once mid-way through the season? Every other trip? Any tips are welcome. Also, any tips on adding grease to these without blowing out the rear seal? Thanks!

[TDJ2591]

It's always been my understanding that one should not overfill the hubs with Bearing Buddie type grease caps. Their purpose is to maintain a constant internal pressure (I think about 3 psi) to keep the bearings lubricated and to maintain just enough pressure on the seal to keep out water. Too much pressure and you blow out the rear seal which will allow water to enter. If you are pumping them up to push out water, then your seal is either inverted or has failed and is allowing water to enter the hub.

I would inspect, clean and reback both bearings and replace the seal with a new one, with the seal facing the outside of the hub. Make sure the spindle is extremely clean and smooth as any rough spots can quickly wear down the new seal. I sometimes use 0000 steel wool, a scotchbrite pad or 400 grit sandpaper to smooth rough spots, then clean thoroughly with brake cleaner.

Then, only add more grease thru the zerk when it is needed. If the spring is depressed, it has enough grease.

[C_M_25]

I don't have the bearing buddy setup; rather, I have the axis saf-t-lube setup. It's a little different in that it is designed to be over filled. There is a method to it though else you can blow the seals. Not sure what that is though.

[MH Hawker]

With that type of system, it is designed to pump out the old grease, so it wont over fill or over pressure the seals, I have the same thing on mine, however if your finding water its time to replace the seals period.

[Bamaman]

Seals are just a very cheap $4 part.

I have a fifth wheel RV with Lippert axles that have the Bearing Buddy type of grease zerks. Our problem is that Lippert chose to use a thin grease and grease the hubs with a grease gun. The cheap $2 Chinese seals leak and the grease overflows into the brakes making them inoperable. Ever try to stop a 14K lb. trailer without working brakes?

Now, I've got to disassemble my hubs, clean out the thin grease and hand pack my bearings with thick, sticky bearing grease. Then I've got to install new seals. I'm just hopeful that not more than one of my 4 brakes is contaminated.

The same thing goes for marine trailers.