Dexter EZ Lube fitting question and answer from Dexter
Question: EZ Lube fitting with Spring loaded double lip seals?
Is it possible that there could be some grease slipping by the spring loaded
double lip seal to have a small amount of grease on the axle at the rear of
the hub
Will this pose any problem or do I just wipe it off and go on my way safe in
the knowledge that all is ok
Answer from Dexter:
Dear Steve
Thank you for visiting the Dexter Axle website and sending us your question.
It is possible to have forced some grease out the rear of the hub past the
seal in our E-Z Lube applications. This should not be of concern unless you
have brakes on the axle. Grease leaking out the seal will likely contaminate
the brake shoes and drums rendering the brakes non-functional. Once this
condition occurs, Dexter's recommendation would be to replace all the shoes,
and magnets if applicable, and thoroughly clean the drum surfaces. The brake
lining material if very absorbant and you can not sufficiently clean all the
grease from the material.
NOTE: The E-Z lube feature was intended to be used on boat trailer
applications. This allows the user to easily purge the water from the hubs
after every time the axle/hubs have been immersed under water.
Dexter still recommends that these hubs be removed every 12 months or 12,000
miles - which ever comes first - to visually inspect the bearings for any
signs of premature wear. It is imperative at this time to replace the seal
to help reduce the risk of the grease leaking past the seal as you are
experiencing.
The bearings do NOT require that the hub cavity be completely filled with
grease for proper lubrication. In fact, if your application is NOT a boat
trailer, simple hand packing the bearings would be sufficient and should
reduce or completely eliminate the leaking past the seal.
Christine Bachman
Application Engineer