Greasing Wheel Bearings

[Jackson]

We are preparing for what will be a total 6000 mile run. I will guess we have put about 5000 miles on it already and I wanted to put some fresh grease in the wheel bearings.  Following the recommended procedure of jacking the trailer, removing the hub cap and rubber grommet I began pumping grease into the nipple while turning the wheel expecting to see old grease emerging. I saw none. Using a standard manual grease gun I placed about 1/3 of tube and stopped.  I had read that getting too much grease can cause other issues in the wheel itself. Also note on my single axle 16TBS the large decorative hubcap on the wheel also limits access for removing any excess grease. How much grease, using the typical tube of grease as a measure, would be required to do a proper job and can the decorative hubcap be removed?

[Merlin]

It's not possible to over-grease the Dexter EZ Lube hubs, if that's what you have. All you normally need to do is wipe up what oozes out. Maybe you should remove the wheel and hub cap and keep pumping grease until you have it come out?  I'm surprised it took that much without showing up somewhere. Good work taking care of the bearings.

http://www.dexteraxle.com/resources/videos/e-z-lube-system

[Jackson]

Many thanks, Your answer and the accompanying video have boosted both my understanding and confidence to get it right. This time the hub cap will come off and I will pump grease until I see dirty grease being replaced by clean.

[whitefish]

Merlin, on the Dexter Hubs, is it possible to push grease past the seals before it oozes out the front?

[Merlin]

Merlin, on the Dexter Hubs, is it possible to push grease past the seals before it oozes out the front?

On mine, the grease flows easily out the front, so it would push past the rear seal only if the seal were already worn/damaged/defective. In that case, time for a new seal anyway!

[whitefish]

Thanks for the clarification Merlin.  I overloaded the grease-able hubs on my boat trailer one time and pushed grease past the seals (and into the drums), but like you say, the seals were likely done.