Dexter axle ez- lube (greasing the bearings)

[Coles]

Hi everyone..
So I’ve looked thru numerous threads and can’t find the answer to what I need.
I recently purchased a very gently used 2015 forest river Mac pop up.
It needs almost all of the normal yearly maintenance stuff done. But this is my very first camper.
I googled and YouTubed the crap out of wheel bearing greasing.
I know I have a dexter axle system due to the owners manual. I thought it was the quick lube system.. but after removing the tire. I’m thinking it may be the sealed system. I’m gonna post pics. I tried to take off the cap and couldn’t. Have any of you had this? Do I need to pry it off and try to lube it??

 

[Anthony Hitchings]

looks like old time regular system to me - like on my first dexter axle in the 2003 Scout. Pop off the shiny bearing hub end cap and look inside. Or look at some old posts on this web site.

 

[BikeNFish]

I have the EZ-lube on my 2014 MAC and the I don't have a metal cap as shown in your pics. Mine has a rubber cap and came with the manual like the one below. Unless they completely redesigned it and put on a metal cap, I would guess you have the sealed system.

 

[Coles]

looks like old time regular system to me - like on my first dexter axle in the 2003 Scout. Pop off the shiny bearing hub end cap and look inside. Or look at some old posts on this web site.

Any suggestions on how to “pop it off?” I tried a flathead screwdriver and got ‘zero’ “budge”

 

[Coles]

I have the EZ-lube on my 2014 MAC and the I don't have a metal cap as shown in your pics. Mine has a rubber cap and came with the manual like the one below. Unless they completely redesigned it and put on a metal cap, I would guess you have the sealed system.
View attachment 74305

That’s what I was wondering. It’s a very small camper, so I assumed the sealed system would be reserved for the larger units. But I seriously was stumped when I took off the tire to find this.

 

[Raycfe]

No it is not a sealed unit. Tap and use a channel lock pliers to pull cap off. You will have 2 bearings and a seal in the center of the hub. The bearings if clean will just need to be repacked and the seal replace. When the hub/drum is off the 7 inch brakes can be inspected and check for free movement.

 

[Coles]

No it is not a sealed unit. Tap and use a channel lock pliers to pull cap off. You will have 2 bearings and a seal in the center of the hub. The bearings if clean will just need to be repacked and the seal replace. When the hub/drum is off the 7 inch brakes can be inspected and check for free movement.

 

[Coles]

If I grab it really hard and pry it off with pliers, and it bends, is it able to be replaced? I would think that if it’s supposed to be accessible, there would’ve been an obvious access spot?? Am I wrong?

 

[tombiasi]

Its just stuck. Tap with a hammer around the cap force going toward you until you see a gap at the base. Then insert a flat blade screwdriver and work it off. It can be replaced if you ruin it.

 

[generok]

Nope, that may be a Dexter hub, but it is NOT a EZ Lube hub (which is a type of hub made by Dexter, but not the only one). You have a standard, regular hub. The cap just needs to come off. Hit it, grip it, twist it... it just needs to come off and a castle nut with a cotter pin will be beneath it. My favorite method is a big prydriver at the seam and a hammer. You may dent it some, but it will come out. If the cosmetics of a dented cap is bothersome, they're pretty cheap.

Welcome and good luck!

 

[WrkrBee]

I thought it was the quick lube system.. I tried to take off the cap and couldn’t. Have any of you had this? Do I need to pry it off and try to lube it??

What you have is better than the EZ Lube setup. Take a small screwdriver and light hammer and tap between the hub and cap seat, all the way around. Once you have a small gap, move up to a larger screw driver and continue to work around the cap seat. Once you have a gap, then use a large screwdriver to work the cap off.
NOTE: If the hubs are not warm when towing, bearings are happy.

 

[Sjm9911]

You need to remove the cap first, then see if you have a grease fitting under it. If you do you have an ez lube type system. Some have easier acess hubs. Some dont.

 

[Fish N Farm]

If you don't have the zert fitting like Sjm9911 suggests to check for you can install a Bearing Buddy Kit. Boats have used them for decades. I like them better than an eazy lube system. Just a slight pump until you see the spring move then stop. If you pump the spring all the way out you could push the rear seal out. The vent holes in the cap will let the over flow grease out to it doesn't knock the seal out. I like it better but they both work.

 

[Coles]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Sjm9911]

Of you do have a fitting, and want to use it, you need to jack up the camper, and while adding the grease, spin the tire. It takes a bit of grease to do this way.

 

[Coles]

Ok so I got the cover off. I don’t see any nipple to attach a grease gun.

 

[Snow]

You have a regular axle.. not an EZ Lube..

 

[Econ]

Ok so I got the cover off. I don’t see any nipple to attach a grease gun.

I own a Dexter EZ Lube, 3500 pound axle built in 2014 and have rebuilt same. That Isnt one. But after seeing what the previous owner did I grease the bearings the old fashion way. No loss.

 

[rabird]

 

[WrkrBee]

I find it enlightening that Dexter does not use their EZ Lube system in the Dexter Bearing Maintenance video. Red flag anyone?