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Old 02-06-2013, 05:39 AM   #1
randye
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Bearings

Hi We are close to leaving,Oregon for Arizona.I haven't had the wheel bearings Packed it a couple of years. I see grease zerts (spelling?),in the middle of the hubs. My question to the group is,if I pump two squirts into each will that be good enough. another question would be,should I just bite the bullet and have them packed, since I am having Les Schwab put on new tires the day we leave? Thanks for the advice you may give.
 
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Old 02-06-2013, 06:05 AM   #2
DonandJudy_12
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Bite the bullet? You've been lucky so far but you don't know the condition of the brake shoes and magnets or the condition of the bearings or how much grease is actually in place- We have our bearings manually repacked every other spring and personnally view the operation and can make a decision on any extra work needed- Good luck in your endeavor- JMHO- Don
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Old 02-06-2013, 06:07 AM   #3
pineranch
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In this case I would leave the grease packing to Les. Asking about using the zerts will probably cause your departure to be delayed since there are about 1000 different opinions on the subject.
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Old 02-06-2013, 07:58 AM   #4
BB_TX
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This has been discussed a number of times here. Two squirts will only get new grease to the rear bearing. Unless the hub is already completely full of grease none will reach the outer bearing. You can see a cutaway diagram on the Dexter web site.
If you read Dexter instructions for the EZ lube axles you will find you should pump grease in the zerk until it pushes the old grease out the front of the hub. And that takes about half of a tube of grease.
I am (apparently) one of the few who have used that feature and I have had no problems doing it. But the potential is there, if not done correctly, to push grease passed the seal and onto the brakes.
So, let Les do it since you are getting ready for a long trip. Unless you feel adventurous.
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Old 02-06-2013, 08:16 AM   #5
camper4
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I've done it both ways. Manual repack beats Zerks every day by me. Just make sure they pack each wheel properly. Using the zerks has cost me brakes.
My humble opinion.
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Old 02-06-2013, 12:36 PM   #6
randye
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Donandjudy12 I have had the bearings packed every other winter, we are not traveling often,We were in Washington for 10 months and have been here in Southern Oregon for almost 10 months. The trip from Washington was around 500 miles in 20 months. So the grease doesn't get much use. I will most likely have Les S. do them when they mount the tires. Thanks all
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Old 02-06-2013, 04:11 PM   #7
Tom S.
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by randye

Hi We are close to leaving,Oregon for Arizona.I haven't had the wheel bearings Packed it a couple of years. I see grease zerts (spelling?),in the middle of the hubs. My question to the group is,if I pump two squirts into each will that be good enough. another question would be,should I just bite the bullet and have them packed, since I am having Les Schwab put on new tires the day we leave? Thanks for the advice you may give.
You should do a search because this question has been discussed MANY times.
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Old 02-07-2013, 12:46 AM   #8
ols1932
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We have our bearings repacked by professionals annually as long as we're traveling.

Orv
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Old 02-07-2013, 01:18 AM   #9
1retired06
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Using the zerk fittings will not properly grease your bearings. Sales gimmick.
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Old 02-07-2013, 01:46 AM   #10
Tom S.
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quote:Originally posted by 1retired06

Using the zerk fittings will not properly grease your bearings. Sales gimmick.
Wow. It worked fine on our 2006, provided one used common sense and understand how the system worked. Did something change?
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Old 02-07-2013, 09:11 AM   #11
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We clean, inspect, and repack our bearings annually. We take trips every other week year round and prefer the added assurance of regular inspections of the bearings on these big rigs. I likely could go every other year, but I feel more comfortable doing it yearly. There has been A LOT of discussion on the Zerk fittings, I just like the opportunity to visually inspect for wear.
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Old 02-07-2013, 11:16 AM   #12
7.3Ford
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I use the fitting. It will take a lot more than a couple of shots. I believe the book says to spin the wheel while pumping grease in there, and it will come out the front bearing when you have put in the required amount. I pump tell it comes out clean grease, and I have a little tool (L shape piece of aluminium), to clean out all the old grease that comes threw the front bearing.

Check you axle book for instruction on how to grease.


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Old 02-07-2013, 03:08 PM   #13
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and the trick is to add the grease s_l_o_w_l_y so that the old grease eases through the outer 'vent' without over-pressuring and opening the inner seal.
The grease flow through the EZ Lube hub while turning the wheel is very effective.
Always make sure you use high speed, anti-flow bearing grease. it is very different from the multi-purpose grease that we normally keep in our grease guns
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Old 02-07-2013, 03:21 PM   #14
BB_TX
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This site shows Dexter approved grease choices.
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