Jet SKi Trailer - Grease Cap Leak?

[gibbywmu2000]

Hi All,

Wanted to try and get some feedback. I've got a 2018 jet ski/trailer, and at the end of last season, I pumped grease in the zerk until I saw the new grease come through. Did not dip the trailer in water after that, went to storage shortly afterwards. (FYI.....This trailer has the Super Lube hubs which I really like, which has the zerc fitting on the backside of the hub).

I brought my trailer/ski back from storage a few weeks ago. I started noticing drops of grease coming out of both hubs which I thought was strange. It looks like newer grease but is watery. Its not terrible, but I don't think anything should be coming out of the grease caps. I've double checked and both caps seem to be flush with the hub, so appears they are all the way on. I didn't notice any leakage last year either. I'd say this is coming out at the rate of maybe 1-2 drops per week, but still don't want this at all..............because if this is able to get out, I'm afraid water will be able to get inside the hub when I dip it in the water.

Should I take the caps back off and pump more grease in there? Maybe some water is still left inside the hub? Can't see any reason for this to be happening?

 

[Scott Danforth]

grease is a carrier and oil mixed. sometimes the oil comes out of the grease if the temperature is warmer. sometimes if you use brand A grease and switch to brand B, there is a reaction.

i wouldnt be concerned about A, however if you switched brands, you may want to pull the hubs and clean/repack

 

[gibbywmu2000]

Thanks Scott! Yes, I actually changed brands when I repacked. I'm sure they used the "Premium" grease at the dealer, but when I repacked I'm just using the Wal Mart Super Tech Marine Grease (Blue). So, that makes perfect sense if this is causing some sort of reaction.

I will pull the caps off again and possibly repack from the backside of the hub as before.

 

[GA_Boater]

There is only one way to replace grease. And your way is not the way. Just pumping grease in with a zerk will not purge the bearings of the incompatible grease and problems will continue.

Pull the hubs, remove the bearings, clean all the grease out of the hubs and bearings, pack the bearings by hand or with a packing tool, replace the rear seal with a new seal, reassemble, then use the zerk to fill the hub cavity.

Removing the rear bearing requires removing the seal. Chances are the old seal will be damaged during removal, so get a new seal.

 

[JimS123]

Are you sure you have a super lube axle? Those look like regular dust caps, not oem. You should have a rubber plug on the outside and thus you shouldn't need to remove the cap.

 

[Fed]

Are your wheel nuts on backwards?

 

[GA_Boater]

Are your wheel nuts on backwards?

Yes, they are. A good way to ruin a rim and get a bumpy ride.

Good catch, Fed.

 

[JimS123]

Yes, they are. A good way to ruin a rim and get a bumpy ride.

Good catch, Fed.

Yeah I never would have thought to look. (I can't stop laughing). Surely good catch, but would that really make the grease decompose?

 

[GA_Boater]

If a wheel isn't centered on the studs, it would be the same as an out of round tire. With the hub spinning at high speed and the tire going up and down, it's blender.

I really don't know if the grease would break down, but backwards lugs could assist a trailer tire beating the trailer to the ramp or passing the tow rig on the highway. No way to keep the lugs tight when the bevel is looking at you.

 

[MRS]

Are your wheel nuts on backwards?

yes sir they are

 

[gibbywmu2000]

Thanks for pointing out the lugs on backwards guys. Wouldn't be the first factory mistake! I've never even taken the wheels off . I snowmobile as well....have a 2016 Blizzard 800 where either the dealer or the factory put the shocks on upside down! You just can't trust anyone anymore. Seems like they are always rushing......

I'll fix this lug issue right away. As far a Super Lube Hubs, yes, I have them and verified that's what they are.

Guess I'm lucky I've had no issues. As I mentioned, I've had this since 2018 and have had no issues so far. Maybe it was only a matter of time if the wheel was not centered and lugs on backwards.