View Full Version : Thru-Hub Grease Fitting?
Bobber Breath
03-27-2001, 12:14 AM
I was told 2 seasons ago when I bought my boat that the Trailmaster trailer had "thru-hub" grease fittings. When putting in more grease thru the zerk fitting I am actually pushing out the old grease which makes the bearings almost maintenance free?? Don't think so!! #1) Has anyone heard of this? #2) How often should I take the bearings out and repack them?? (I figured I should do it this year for sure!!) Thanks folks!
SVaerst
03-27-2001, 04:40 AM
No matter how much I use my trailer, I always repack yearly to get rid of all the old grease, any water that has seeped into the hub from submersion, and check races and bearings for pits and/or burning. Last thing I want to have happen is a blown bearing going down the road. I have bearing buddies (came on the trailer), so I can still give the bearings a squirt here and there as needed, but if the bearings are packed correctly, they should be fine. for the $10 or so a year (depending on how much seals cost) I feel it is definitely worth it...
Steve
My trailer has that type of hub -- the system works as advertised.
I didn't trust it either, so last year (trailer is 3 years old) I pulled the wheels to repack the bearings and found them to be in absolutely clean grease with no contaminants. I give mine a shot of grease about once a month -- more often if they've been submerged often.
Hans
Bobber Breath
03-28-2001, 03:32 AM
Hey Hans... Did you still end up taking them out and repacking or did you put it all back together without repacking? I'll be "messing" with my Crestliner today. Just wanted to know.
Nofish
03-28-2001, 04:40 AM
Hey Bobber Breath,
Ranger has this, or a very similar system on some of their trailers now. This was standard until the C.O.O.L. hubs became available.
Anyway, on my 692, you had to remove the wheel, pry off the dust cap, and use a needle type fitting for the zerk on the hub.
The system works by continually pushing grease through the hub, over the bearings and out the back. When you pump em up as the manual says, you should be pumping grease in until only clean grease comes out the back end.
The guy who bought my 692, went to his dealer to have the bearings repacked and the dealer found the same thing. Bearings and races in perfect conditon.
The system does work. As long as there is no damage to the bearings and seals, why wouldn't you expect over 100,000 miles on the original bearings? Cars routinely get this service from wheel bearings.
Granted, cars are not subjected to driving a long way then getting the axle bearings dunked in water, but they dont have a similar system to guard against this either.
Have fun.........R
I didn't repack them -- both hubs were full of perfectly clean grease.
Hans
--
"I long for the dear old lakeshore, where I dreamed my youth away;
for a dreamer lives forever, and a toiler dies in a day.
From the sleepless thoughts endeavor, I would go where the children play;
For a dreamer lives forever, And a thinker dies in a day."