grease on rim

[MRS]

trailer about seven months old have grease on the front of rim not back of rim why. Tandem trailer only one hub doing it I am going to check it out tomorrow, taken it out about 15 times and just started spraying grease on outside of rim.
I have a 200 mile tow trip coming up so need to fix it.

 

[MTboatguy]

Looks like you have a small amount of leakage around the bearing buddy, normally happens when you overfill them and the grease heats up, oil and grease will always find a way out, no matter how small it is and hot grease is just a bit thicker than oil. I would pull the wheel and check, clean and put back together with new seals.

 

[beerman2]

Your dust cap is not fitting tight enough in the hub. You can fix the problem by pulling the cap out and cleaning the outside edge of the cap and the inside edge of the hub with brake cleaner and applying a small amount of silicone on the cap and reinstalling it. Or you could try a new cap. When you reinstall the cap make sure it goes in strait or you will distort the cap and it will throw grease out again. Good luck and happy boating.

 

[ahicks]

I'm betting on an over filled hub and/or a cap needing replacement. The caps are really inexpensive.

 

[dingbat]

Loose or damaged grease cap.

While your at it, take a good look at the plastic caps. I get a couple of years max before they dry rot and crack. Had to replace all four of mine this Spring

 

[MRS]

Thanks for the replies on my way home from work now will check when home. Sounds like a easy fix trailer only seven months old thanks again. Taking pontoon out tomorrow so will update tomorrow.

 

[dingbat]

Thanks for the replies on my way home from work now will check when home. Sounds like a easy fix trailer only seven months old thanks

For some reason they have a tendency to walk out of the hub.

I walk around the trailer 2-3 times a year with a block of wood and a hammer reseat them

 

[JimS123]

Looks like you have sure lube axles, not bearing buddies. When they get lubed, you should clean all the grease off inside the outer hub. Maybe the mechanic that assembled them didn't do that on that one wheel. Or maybe he damaged the rubber cap..

Pull off the cap and clean out all the visible grease. Then put a new cap on whether it needs it or not.

 

[MRS]

Thanks guys dingbat I did do the wood hammer thing on all four hubs after I cleaned out the one that was leaking.
JimS, yes it is the sure lube axles cleaned the inside cap off was packed with grease and all looked good so put back on with the wood and hammer like dingbat said.
Took out today to the lake forty miles round trip no grease on rim or any of the rims so should be good to go for the 200 mile trip Thanks again for the replies cannot be to cautious on the road with the trailer.

 

[ahicks]

I agree with Jim, that those caps should not be full of grease. If they are, it's impossible to see when you have added enough through the grease fitting - AND - they are much more likely to start slinging grease in protest. Some is OK, but not full.

Each greasing session should start with removal of excess grease. Nothing exotic. I use a flat blade screwdriver kinda like a spatula, to scoop out the old grease and wipe it off on a paper towel. Only takes a minute. Then, you can see the grease emerging through the outer bearing as you add grease through the zerk, and you know you're good to go.

Take care of the tires and bearings, and they'll take care of you. Over 30 years of towing without an incident of any kind.....
-Al

 

[dingbat]

I agree with Jim, that those caps should not be full of grease. If they are, it's impossible to see when you have added enough through the grease fitting - AND - they are much more likely to start slinging grease in protest. Some is OK, but not full.
-Al

This contradicts the instructions given by the OEM.

I have maintained the bearing the way shown in the video for the past 18 years. The rubber caps will leak unless the caps are filled with grease as shown in the video.

Remove rubber cap and pump new grease in until all the old grease comes out the whole. Wipe and reinstall rubber cap

The caps on the axles have not been off in three years.



https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XT0RKDGgDm8

 

[ahicks]

I can only share my experience. Currently running a trailer w/10" tires from Michigan to Florida and back regularly (twice a year), all at normal X-way speeds, plus a lot of running around with it. This trailer is used so I don't have to own a pick up.

If I leave the hub full, it leaks, even with new caps. If I do as described above, leaving the CAP mostly empty, it does not leak. For what it's worth....

 

[JimS123]

Well I learned something. I thought "Sure Lube" was the one. Now I found out that "EZ Lube" and "Superlube" are 2 other manufacturers that make a similar product. What I don't know is whether the requirements differ.

 

[MRS]

Hey thanks to all that reply it did work for my trailer
so now I am good to go on my 200 mile trip with out worrying about my bearings Thanks again.