Help accessing SUP-R-LUBE grease port

[s freud]

I am doing spring maintenance and went to lube my wheels and found what you see below (one pic of each hub). The cover says they are SUP-R-LUBE systems by Tie Down Engineering. I feel certain there is a grease port in there somewhere, I just don't know how to access it and can't find directions online. Do I bend those needles straight and what looks like a cap just pulls off? Just need some help. There was a link on an old thread here (http://forums.iboats.com/trailers-towing/these-just-regular-hub-fittings-274306.html), but they look a little different. Thanks for your help!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Help accessing SUP-R-LUBE grease port

Here's a Tie Down pdf that shows the system. Your plugs are missing and I think you have the zerk fitting on the hub because I don't see the zerk on the spindle end. That's unless the hubs have been changed to conventional hubs, then it's grease the old fashioned way by packing the bearings.

SuperLube Wheel Hub/Spindles Owners Manual

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Help accessing SUP-R-LUBE grease port

If you look at the pdf that GA posted, you'll see there are 2 types of SUPERLUBE and since you don't have the zerk on the 'spindle' then yours should be on the back and be the 'hub' type. See if you find the zerk where shown in the picture.
(My Maxum was the spindle type).

I simply knocked the caps off to clean out all the old grease then when filling with new watch it cycle through then knocked the caps back on.

Mark

 

[jlh42581]

Re: Help accessing SUP-R-LUBE grease port

These lubing systems are the worst idea to ever hit the market. I have an ezlube trailer with the zerk spindles and one squeeze too much and your rear seal is leaking. Then if you dont fix it you will be sitting along the road, hopefully you carry a full spare hub cause when they go you dont know if the races went too and must replace them.

 

[s freud]

Re: Help accessing SUP-R-LUBE grease port

Thanks guys. Found the port on the back of the hub.

Jlh - I think you may have these confused with bearing buddies. These force the grease out so you don't have to worry about the old grease or over packing.

 

[BrianNJ]

Re: Help accessing SUP-R-LUBE grease port

These lubing systems are the worst idea to ever hit the market. I have an ezlube trailer with the zerk spindles and one squeeze too much and your rear seal is leaking. Then if you dont fix it you will be sitting along the road, hopefully you carry a full spare hub cause when they go you dont know if the races went too and must replace them.

Sup-r-lube is not a pressurized system. You will notice in the pictures at the beginning of this thread, the hub is open in front. When adding grease. The rubber plug should be removed to allow new grease to go into the back of the hub and old grease to exit the front. Afterward, the rubber plug is replaced to minimize water invasion from the front.

If you don't have the open hub, it would still be possible to remove the hub cap, insert grease from the fitting in the back, and then replace the hub cap.

If you have a closed hub cap and force grease into the hub, yes, it will create pressure and could blow the seal.

Bearing buddy is another system that is intended to create a little internal pressure with a spring. For that, you are right. Too much grease, the spring bottoms-out, and the pressure is forced throughout the back seal and into the brakes if you have them.

I submit neither is a bad system, they just need to be used properly.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Help accessing SUP-R-LUBE grease port

Thanks guys. Found the port on the back of the hub.

Thanks for following up, Sigmund. Do you have the plugs? Don't want the fresh grease getting contaminated.

 

[s freud]

Re: Help accessing SUP-R-LUBE grease port

Yeah, I don't know how I missed the diagram with the port (or "zerk" now that I know what that means) in the back. I have one good plug and one that had a hole in it. I am about to go get a new set at West Marine. Thanks for following up GA. Looking to take her out this afternoon! I should add that one of the units is a little crooked on the hub. Do I just knock it straight with a hammer and board, or should I knock it off and then put it back on? Or is it more complicated with this type of system?

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Help accessing SUP-R-LUBE grease port

From the diagram, it looks like a "normal" dust cap with the hole for the plug. I think knock it off and a re-seat will do it for you.

 

[s freud]

Re: Help accessing SUP-R-LUBE grease port

Well turns out there was a misunderstanding between me and the lady at West Marine and I spent a couple hours in jail. Okay, that's not true, they didn't have the part I needed and I graciously left, but that's not as good a story. At any rate, it worked out because they have the whole dust cap unit on Amazon for less than $2 more than just the little rubber end cap. In other news, caught a fish on my first outing of the year! He wasn't big at 12-14" and only 1.5 pounds, but it's better than a bust!

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Help accessing SUP-R-LUBE grease port

... I have one good plug and one that had a hole in it. I am about to go get a new set at West Marine.../QUOTE]

These are all Auto Parts Store items, Not Marine Store Items!

Zerk Fittings are Supposed to have a "Hole" in them!



Take your old Zerks/Plugs with you.
They come in half a dozen different threads.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Help accessing SUP-R-LUBE grease port

He's not looking for zerks.

iboats has the plugs, Sig $2.67 a pair

Rubber Grommets for Super Lube Dust Caps - Tie Down Engineering 81174 - iboats

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Help accessing SUP-R-LUBE grease port

He's not looking for zerks...

Sorry! Confused! :facepalm:
I thought he had blank Zerk Plugs still in the hubs.

Now it makes more sense!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Help accessing SUP-R-LUBE grease port

It happens, no prob, Unc.

 

[s freud]

Re: Help accessing SUP-R-LUBE grease port

iboats has the plugs, Sig $2.67 a pair

Rubber Grommets for Super Lube Dust Caps - Tie Down Engineering 81174 - iboats

Hey thanks! cancelled my other order and just went with these. Not as fast of shipping, but nice to be able to support the site a little.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Help accessing SUP-R-LUBE grease port

And my commission is free forum membership. :lol: It's good to support the host.

 

[jlh42581]

Re: Help accessing SUP-R-LUBE grease port

Sup-r-lube is not a pressurized system.

Nor are the easy lube axle/spindles. When you put a grease fitting on anything people tend to think it needs grease all the time. The reason these systems even came about was to fill the hub and keep water out for trailers that get sunken in water. With the ez lube the same thing happens, it comes out the front but if you think you cant blow a rear seal on either system by pumping grease into it to "flush" the bearings as they suggest you might wanna buy a boat usa tow membership.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Help accessing SUP-R-LUBE grease port

If the rear seal was worn so bad that flushing the grease out cause it to leak on a Dexter, safety-lube or a sup-r-lube, it was way past needing replaced any way. A FYI a boat tow is included in most insurance coverage, but then if you have insurance you would know that.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Help accessing SUP-R-LUBE grease port

Nor are the easy lube axle/spindles. When you put a grease fitting on anything people tend to think it needs grease all the time. The reason these systems even came about was to fill the hub and keep water out for trailers that get sunken in water. With the EZ lube the same thing happens, it comes out the front but if you think you cant blow a rear seal on either system by pumping grease into it to "flush" the bearings as they suggest you might wanna buy a boat USA tow membership.

I believe he was comparing the Super/EZ Lube Systems to the pressurized Bearing Buddy System (see posts #5,6)