Identifying Bearings, Grease Seal, and Spindle on Trailer
Question:
I’m trying to discern the best option for maintaining my bearings and have 2 concerns. I’m due for a bearing and axel spindle inspection and grease replacement. Unsure if I have or should use the EZ lube system noting I have no zerks sticking out of the spindle end. Instead, there appears to be threaded holes female type on the flat face of each spindle. Do they make grease gun hose attachments with male threaded ends that screw into the female spindle holes? Might be able to get a photo after submitting I’m not really worried about the challenge/difficulty of repacking bearings and replacing seals. More challenging is planning ahead and understanding and finding and ordering the replacement parts sizes and numbers for the seals, grease, and cotter pins ahead of time. Sadly, My trailer/camper manuals came with none of this information and Lippert and Dexter websites are useless. Can you help?
asked by: Jared W
Expert Reply:
The hole in the end of your spindle is pretty standard. An EZ lube spindle would have the zerk fitting on the end, along with a hole on the spindle for the grease to come out and fill the hub like you can see on the # TRU74FR. There is nothing for a grease gun that would thread into that, and if it did the grease wouldn't have anywhere to go.
Unfortunately, most trailer manufacturers don't make bearing and seal information readily available. It would be nice if everything you needed was in the manual, but there are other ways to identify the parts you need. The first thing I would check is the axle tag. If this has the axle capacity or a serial number, that information can be used to identify the bearings in most cases. The best thing to do is take a picture of the entire tag. If it is a Dexter or Lippert axle they will be able to identify the capacity and the bearings and seals you need.
If the axle tag is worn or missing, the only way to find that information would be to pull off your hubs. It is possible that the part numbers are stamped into the sides of the bearings. If not, you will need to use a digital caliper like # PTW80157 to measure the inner diameter. You can also measure the spindle where the bearings and grease seal ride. See the diagram below.
For example, if you have # L68149 inner bearing with an ID of 1.378", and a # L44649 outer bearing with an ID of 1.063", you could use the # BK2-100 bearing kit. This is the standard bearing combination for a 3,500 lb axle. The grease seal that comes with the kit is a # 58846 (10-19) with an ID of 1.719" and OD of 2.565". The kit also includes a new cotter pin you can use to replace what you have now. If you need grease you can use the # L11390.
I have attached a link below with all of our bearings and seals which can be filtered by inner diameter. I also included a link to all of our bearing kits.
(click to enlarge)
Products Referenced in This Question
Cotter Pin - 1/8" Thick x 1-3/4" Long
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Suspension Parts
- Cotter Pin
- ABS Fasteners
more information >
Grease Seal - Double Lip - ID 1.719" / OD 2.565" - for 3,500-lb Axles
- Trailer Bearings Races Seals Caps
- Seals
- Grease Seals - Double Lip
- 1.719 Inch I.D.
- 2.565 Inch O.D.
- etrailer
more information >
Hub Bearing Kit for Lippert, Dexter, and AL-KO Axles - 3,500 lb with #84 Spindle
- Trailer Bearings Races Seals Caps
- Bearings
- Standard Bearings
- Bearing Kits
- Bearing L44649 and L68149
- Race L68111 and L44610
- 3500 lbs Axle
- etrailer
more information >
LubriMatic LMX Industrial Strength Grease - 14 oz. Cartridge
- Lubricants Sealants Adhesives
- Grease
- Brake and Bearing Grease
- Standard Lithium Grease
- Lithium Complex
- 14 oz
- LubriMatic
more information >
Replacement Trailer Hub Bearing - L44649
- Trailer Bearings Races Seals Caps
- Bearings
- Standard Bearings
- 1.063 Inch I.D.
- Bearing L44649
- Race L44610
- 3500 lbs Axle
- etrailer
more information >
Replacement Trailer Hub Bearing - L68149
- Trailer Bearings Races Seals Caps
- Bearings
- Standard Bearings
- 1.378 Inch I.D.
- Bearing L68149
- Race L68111
- 3500 lbs Axle
- etrailer
more information >
4" Carbon Fiber Digital Caliper
- Hand Tools
- Measuring and Layout Tools
- Digital Calipers
- Carbon Fiber
- Performance Tool
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
#84 E-Z Lube Spindle w/ Brake Flange for 3,500-lb Trailer Axle - 1-3/4" Diameter
- Trailer Spindles
- EZ Lube Spindle
- 1-3/4 Inch Diameter
- Round
- For 3500 lb Axle
- TruRyde
more information >
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