EZ lube hubs and cold water

[Mwitthuhn]

So my new boat trailer has the EZ lube system on it. Seems like a great idea until the other day I noticed I was leaking grease out of two hubs. Took into the shop and I had two blown out seals. The tech said I put too much grease in however I never touched them. The only thing I can think of is that I got water in them when I launched in ice cold water the other day. So my question to everyone is has anyone had problems with water getting in them when launching in cold water?

 

[Alumarine]

Welcome.
I've never had trouble.
Did the grease show signs of water penetration?
It would have looked milky if so.

 

[dingbat]

So my new boat trailer has the EZ lube system on it. Seems like a great idea until the other day I noticed I was leaking grease out of two hubs. Took into the shop and I had two blown out seals. The tech said I put too much grease in however I never touched them.

You must rotate the wheel while pumping grease in the hub. Failure to do so will blow the seals out every time.

Also check to make sure the right seal is installed. One size fits all isn’t the case here. Couples seals just 0.002” apart

 

[Lou C]

I have had these hubs over 20 years on 2 different axles & never had water in them. I’d look to see if the correct seals were used, yes you should rotate the wheel when greasing but there really isn’t much pressure on the seals when greasing because the excess grease can freely escape. I wonder if a power grease gun was used at the factory.

 

[airshot]

Mine have little pressure ports for excess grease to escape so over greasing should not be an issue, but...in regards to the original question....my hub mfgrs recomend letting the hubs cool down slightly before dunking in cold water. When I arrive at the ramp, I put a hand on my hubs right away, if overly warm, that means they need attention, being a little warm but not uncomfortable to touch is good. By the time I unhook and load everything up the hubs have cooled slightly and ready to dunk. If the hubs are hot enough to draw water, then they need attention asap. In my 60 yrs of boating, I have had numerous hub issues, most time the seals were worn or the axle was rough causing undo wear on the seal, cheap seals, or using hubs with no oressure relief.

 

[Mwitthuhn]

Welcome.
I've never had trouble.
Did the grease show signs of water penetration?
It would have looked milky if so.

No sign of water penetration.

 

[Mwitthuhn]

I forgot to mention that when I took the hub caps off the one dust cap was laying in the hub cap and the other one pulled right off in my hand. Unlike normally you need a rubber mallet to get them off.

 

[airshot]

Dust caps are different from EZ lube hubs.

 

[Mwitthuhn]

Dust caps are different from EZ lube hubs.

I know the dust cap covers the end and zerk fitting

 

[dingbat]

I know the dust cap covers the end and zerk fitting

The terminology is confusing.....

The covers on the submersible (EZ lube) axles with the rubber inserts are called "grease caps" by the manufacturer. Dust caps are typically used on non-submersible applications, i.e horse trailers

Lube Instructions
https://www.dexteraxle.com/user_area/content_media/raw/059-831-00_HubDrumBearingInstructionSheet.pdf

 

[Lou C]

to the OP post up a pic of what you've got
With the easy lube system it is possible for those rubber caps to leak. I usually coat the groove where it fits onto the tin cover with grease, that keeps out the water. Also recently I got a pair of bearing buddy bras to put over the tin covers & rubber cap. Coat on the inside with good old Lucas Marine grease, I pulled them off after I pulled the boat and no moisture at all got past em. So that is one more way to keep water out of these.
I have had great luck with this system. I never had to change the bearings that were in my original axle used from 2004-2021. I changed the seals a couple of times because I had the drums off to change the backing plates. That's it.

 

[stevedan]

The terminology is confusing.....

The covers on the submersible (EZ lube) axles with the rubber inserts are called "grease caps" by the manufacturer. Dust caps are typically used on non-submersible applications, i.e horse trailers

Lube Instructions
https://www.dexteraxle.com/user_area/content_media/raw/059-831-00_HubDrumBearingInstructionSheet.pdf

the only true Submersible wheel hub is made by Vault Wheel Hub (as per Dexter Axle engineer on 7/5/24 "now Dexter vault, who just bought vault wheel hubs I was told. They are pressurized wheel hub and use a specific grease / oil in the wheel hubs

 

[dingbat]

the only true Submersible wheel hub is made by Vault Wheel Hub (as per Dexter Axle engineer on 7/5/24 "now Dexter vault, who just bought vault wheel hubs I was told. They are pressurized wheel hub and use a specific grease / oil in the wheel hubs

Looked that them when I bought a new trailer last spring.

40+ years of bearing and seal design experience in a heavy industry. Liked the off the shelf design, but service restrictions really turned me off.

20+ years of experience with EZ lube hubs.
Installed wear sleeves and replaced the cheap, grease seals with live center oil seals in the hubs. Solved any intrusion issues at the rear seal.

Only problem I had was the rubber inserts in the caps would dry rot and fail every other season. Just started changing them with every grease change as PM.

 

[stevedan]

Looked that them when I bought a new trailer last spring.

40+ years of bearing and seal design experience in a heavy industry. Liked the off the shelf design, but service restrictions really turned me off.

20+ years of experience with EZ lube hubs.
Installed wear sleeves and replaced the cheap, grease seals with live center oil seals in the hubs. Solved any intrusion issues at the rear seal.

Only problem I had was the rubber inserts in the caps would dry rot and fail every other season. Just started changing them with every grease change as PM.

I have them on my 2009 Skeeter Bass boat (ZX180). Having serviced the wheel hubs I found the system to be a very good one. I purchased this boat with no insight into any maintenance, so started with lower unit an working my way around to everything so I know the condition. Wheel hubs were 2nd and found them in good shape. Added the Vault / Dexter UFP grease / Oil, (3 or 4 squirts) and wiped out cap and added back with new. Put the blue lock tite around cap and reinstalled. Will inspect again in 6 months just to be sure no water is getting in. Only cost is the time and the grease, thanks for reading. ! Happy Boating !!