Liqua-Lube System

[acp]

Has anyone installed the Liqua-Lube trailer bearing lubrication system on their EZ-Loader trailer?

I've installed the system and can't seem to get the thing to stop leaking the Liqua-Lube fluid. The leak is from the torsion suppension parts close to the wheel. It's leaking from both wheels.

Apparently EZ-Loader uses axle parts from Reliable. Checking the Reliable web site they use what's called their "Sure Lube" system. The description of the systems states "no springs" and easy exchange of grease without disassembly during routine maintenance. I just wonder if there is passage ways designed into the "Sure Lube" system that allow grease to be forced out the rear of the spindle/hub and this is where the Liqua-Lube liquid is going.

When I talk with Ken at Liqua-Lube, if he knows anything about this he doesn't admit it.

Any comments?

Later....

Al

[Cubby]

Al, I had a K-D trailer with liqua-lube system and it was a great system. It worked great! Now I have a warrior trail it uses the sure-lube system. It has a vent hole on the back of the spindle. I dont know if its the same but I have the phone number. Its made by Reliable Tool& Machine Co. Kendallville,Indiana 219-347-4000 fax 219-347-5552 mabe they can help to plug the vent with something. Both systems I had works great cubby

[Brad]

I've purchased two EZ Loader trailers since '94. In both cases, the spindles have a passage located between the inside bearing and the seal, and exiting out of the rear center of the spindle. This allows the grease that is pumped into the hub via a bearing buddy type grease cap, to pass through the outer bearing, on through the hub, through the inner bearing, then into and out of the passage. If you look behind the wheel as your pumping grease into the hub, you'll see the grease exit the spindle. If I'm not mistaken, the Liqua-Lube System your referring to uses an oil lubricant, as opposed to a grease, right? If so, I would think the oil would leak out through the passage in the spindle.

[Gone Again]

Al-You're right, your spindles are hollow. The hole is where the grease comes out when lubing them using the Reliable system. When installing the Liqu-Lube system this hole must be plugged. The hole on the inside is covered by the spindle sleeve that you installed, but that sleeve will not seal the hole well enough to prevent a leak. You must epoxy the hole shut before installing the sleeve. Make sure the hole is cleaned thoroughly before applying the epoxy. The instructions with the Liqua-Lube system gives you all this info. I've installed many sets on this type axle without a problem. If I can help more, just email me-Tom

[Brad]

Rather than epoxy, I'd tap (thread) the hole in the rear of the spindle then insert a bolt into the newly threaded hole and have yourself a nice drain plug for changing the oil in the hubs. Just a thought.

[Gone Again]

Brad-The outer cap on a Liqu-Lube system has a drain plug. Much easier than going thru all that work to tap that inner hole and laying on your back to change the oil. Also, the trailers with torsion axles sometimes make this hole unaccessable-Tom

[acp]

Tom,

Thanks for your very helpful replies to my post. I tried to email you as you suggested but I guess the message board email option is not working. I sent an email to myself as a test and I never received it. I have dropped a note to the webmaster.

Well, I did some homework on the Reliable Sure-Lube system. They have an excellent web site with a cutaway drawing of the inner workings. I should have done this first, I didn't even know I had the Sure-Lube system with a hole in the rear of the spindles. The skinny Ez-Loader manual describes bearing lubing as if there were Bearing Buddies or some other spring loaded design.

Here's my plan. I have ordered new sleeves and rear seals from Ez-Loader. I understand these new sleeves will not have a hole drilled to match up with the spindle hole. I will apply some of the adhesive from Liqua-Lube to the inside of the new sleeves and press them on (more on this later).

As for the seals do you think I should use NEW seals that come standard with the Reliable Sure-Lube system or the seals supplied with the Liqua-Lube kit? On the Reliable web site they describe the seals as special for the Sure-Lube design.

I'm kind of a novice when it comes to installing the new sleeves. I had one heck of a time installing the sleeves that came from Liqua-Lube. They supply a "driver" tool that has a inside diameter that is too large for the shoulder on the sleeve. I "squashed" the driver tool a bit making it oval with the shorter axis close to the outside diameter of the sleeve and tapped the sleeve in place over the spindle.

Would have any better suggestion for installing the new sleeves?

Does my plan sound workable to provide a "leakless" Liqua-Lube system? As tight as the new sleeve fits (that's the sleeves from Liqua-Lube without a hole)I'm still a little amazed that the oil leaks through the Sure-Lube relief hole in the spindle. I did NOT apply anything between the inside of the sleeve and the spindle surface it mates with and I did not plug the relief hole. I didn't even realize the hole was there. In this next round I will plug the hole. Any material you would recommend?

I really appreciate your help. If you ever get to Central Florida I'll have to take you bass fishing.

I apologize to all for the long post.

Later....

Al

[Gone Again]

Al-You're on the right track now! Use the seals that came with the Liqu-Lube system. They have an inner spring which is a better seal. Not sure about some of the others. Before you install the new sleeves, clean that hole in the spindle thoroughly with brake cleaner to get ALL the old grease and oil out. Dry with compressed air if you have it or just let air dry. The epoxy used to seal the hole is mentioned in the Liqua-Lube instruction sheet and can be purchased at any auto parts store. It is made by Lock-Tite. After this sets about 30 minutes, or whatever the instructions with it say, apply the sealer supplied with the kit to the inside of each sleeve and drive onto the spindle. The driver supplied with the kit is OK but a short piece of exhaust pipe approx. 8 inches long works better. Go to a shop that does exhaust work, take a sleeve along, and get a piece of scrap the correct diameter-works perfect! Because the lube used is synthetic it will leak around the sleeve and out the hole if the epoxy and/or sealer are not used. This should be all you need to do. You will really like this system. It is recommended that the lube be changed every year but I have gone 2 years without a problem. If you use yours in salt water you may want to stay with every year. Any problems-give a shout-Tom

[acp]

Tom,

Thanks again for all the tips and advice. When the new sleeves arrive and I get them installed I'll post the results here.

Thanks again.

Later....

Al