Will Bearing Buddies Fit on EZ Lube Trailer Axles

Question:

I have the EZ Lube spindles with the zerk fitting on the end, and ordered these new caps. Had a lot of trouble getting them on, and ended up cleaning the old metal caps and installing them with the new rubber plugs. They look identical but I could not get the cup to drive in straight, as if its outer diameter was manufactured a bit too large. I tried using a rubber mallet, and also a wood block to hold the caps straight on the hub as I hit the block. The old cups can be started by hand pushed in slightly and finished with mallet. Is there a trick to this other than buying the cap ion tool? Perhaps the pair I got were not made quite to spec?

asked by: Peter I

Expert Reply:

Bearing protectors such as Bearing Buddies # BB2047 cannot be used with EZ Lube axles. The issue is the zerk fittings at the ends of the spindles prohibit installation. The Bearing Buddies are not deep enough to account for the zerk fitting. Since you have EZ Lube axles you would not need this type of cap.

I can recommend other options if you can tell me the hub bore diameter where the caps fit. The measurement has to be as accurate as possible so use calipers that can measure to the nearest thousandth of an inch.

expert reply by: Michael H