Can Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors Be Used on EZ Lube Spindles

Question:

I just bought a CE Smith Multi-Sport Trailer with 8inch wheels model CE48870. After taking the dust cap off I find a zerk fitting on the axle. Is this an EZ Lube spindle ? If I put the Bearing Buddy on do I need to remove the zerk fitting on the trailer now. And will the Bearing Buddy perform as well as the current setup on the Multi Sport trailer now? I have attached a picture of the stock set up with the zerk. Thank you in advance.

asked by: Barnett B

Expert Reply:

What you show in the photo is indeed an EZ Lube spindle. You can install a Bearing Buddy on your hubs (the correct part number would be part # BB1980A-SS), but you'd need to remove the existing zerk fitting. It looks like the zerk on your spindles is threaded into the end of the spindle, so you'd need to unscrew it to remove it.

Both the EZ Lube and the Bearing Buddy have their advantages. Bearing Buddies apply pressure to the hub cavity which helps exclude water from the hub, but the EZ Lube spindles deliver the grease to the center of the hub, right where you need it rather than simply forcing it through the outer bearing like a Bearing Buddy does. The Bearing Buddy has an auto check feature, which will tell you at a glance if grease needs to be added. Either scenario will allow you to blow out the grease seal if the hub is over-filled.

I've used both systems in the past, and I honestly prefer the EZ Lube setup.

If you use the provided link, you can see a typical installation of the Bearing Buddy bearing protectors.

expert reply by: Mike L