Spindle Lube spindles

[dingbat]

I recently picked up a Load -rite tandem axle trailer that has Spindle Lube spindles on it. You know, the ones with the zerk fitting on the end of the shaft and where you supposedly pump grease into the zerk and the grease comes out between the rear seal and the bearing.

Well I stuck the grease gun on the fitting and started pumping way. Well, the only thing that happened was that the grease came out of the cotter pin hole and made a big mess of everything. There certainly wasn’t any grease getting to the back of the bearings with this happening. At this point I figured that the guy before me had modified the shaft by drilling a hole for the cotter pin but just to be sure I contacted my local trailer guy and asked him about it. He stated that shafts come that way and yes, the grease does come out the cotter pin hole so I stymied.

Supposedly you remove the rubber end cap and pump in new grease when needed but the only way I could get any grease to flow to the rear of the shaft was to remove the bearing cover and the castle nut and hold the cotter pin holes closed with my finger tips while I pumped in new grease. This is certainly not very practical to do on a regular basis and is darn right messy to boot.

I’m I missing something here? I’m half tempted to remove the zerk fittings and install bearing buddies

 

[all thumbs]

Re: Spindle Lube spindles

Dosen't sound right to me. I have the easy lube system with no cotter key holes. the spindle nut is held on by a washer with two prongs you pull down over the nut to hold in place. Talk to another trailer guy to be sure. I like this system and never had any problems, or big mess greasing.

 

[Bert1]

Re: Spindle Lube spindles

I have the same system and yes when you inject grease through the zerk fitting it is injected through the spindle to the back and as a result it flushes the old grease through the front. I use an old ice cream container to catch the grease that does come out. It is a bit messy, but it beats having to tear everything appart in order to repack.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Spindle Lube spindles

I have the same system and yes when you inject grease through the zerk fitting it is injected through the spindle to the back and as a result it flushes the old grease through the front. I use an old ice cream container to catch the grease that does come out. It is a bit messy, but it beats having to tear everything appart in order to repack.

it's suppoed to do but on mine the grease does not go to the back. I just squirts out the cotter pin hole and makes a mess.

 

[rottenray6402]

Re: Spindle Lube spindles

I am not familiar with those hubs but if it were me I would go on line and try to contact the manufacturer and get a straight answer on how they should work. My son has them on his traailer and loves them. He has never mentioned the cotter pin thing.

 

[maxxpower]

Re: Spindle Lube spindles

Make sure the cotter pin fits super tight. The trailers come with an oversized cotter pin that fits so tight you have to tap it in with a hammer. The previous owner may have used a smaller one not realizing its function. I have the same spindles and don't particularly care for them either as they are very hard to grease with a pistol grip grease gun.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Spindle Lube spindles

My father and I each have Karavan trailers with the Sure Lube hubs.

They come packed with Texaco Starplex 2 grease.
We were told to use this grease by the manufacturer.
It is expensive, and a little hard to find.

Texaco Starplex® 2
Our featured wheel bearing and chassis grease, Starplex® 2, is a mineral oil-based, multi-purpose lithium complex soap, extreme-pressure grease compounded with highly refined paraffinic base oils and a special additive package. Starplex® 2 offers:
Resistance to water washout and rustout and rusting
Protection against wear and shock loading
A high dropping point of 450 degrees for excellent high temperature service
Good pumpability

 

[4poco]

Re: Spindle Lube spindles

(Make sure the cotter pin fits super tight)

This is the system i have also, maxxpower has it right !
That is the secret.......................