Some trailers now have an integrated ‘zerk’ on the backside of the hub. For the customer it means
they can do periodic grease “freshenings” without disassembly of the hubs.
Procedure for hub with integrated zerk fitting:
i.
Prepare a disposable container for the old grease to fall into.
ii.
Remove the wheel and dust cap.
iii. Attach grease gun to the grease fitting.
iv.
Pump fresh grease in until fresh clean grease is visible oozing out the front bearing.
(about 1/3 of a tube)
1. If the old grease is just dark the condition of the hub should be fine for another
season.
2. If there is any water or if the grease is a white milky color then the grease seal has
likely failed.
a. The hub must be disassembled, the grease seal replaced, bearings likely will
need to be replaced too.
3. If there are shiny metal fragment in the old grease then the bearings are failing and
must be replaced.
4. Wipe excess from front and re-install the dust cap.
Procedure for hubs with-out a zerk fitting:
i.
Prepare a disposable container for the old grease to fall into.
ii.
Remove dust cap, cotter pin, crown nut, washer. Pull hub off spindle.
iii. Inspect inside the hub where the cups seat and the spindle for scoring, pitting,
bending, dents, thread or other damage.
iv.
With the hub removed, hand-pack fresh grease in until fresh clean grease is visible
oozing out the front bearing. (about 1/3 of a tube)
1. If the old grease is just dark the condition of the hub should be fine for another
season.
2. If there is any water or if the grease is a white milky color then the grease seal has
likely failed.
a. The hub must be disassembled, the grease seal replaced, bearings likely will
need to be replaced too.
3. If there are shiny metal fragment in the old grease then the bearings are failing and
must be replaced.
4. Wipe excess from front and re-install the hub and dust cap.
Integrated zerk fitting on
the backside of the hub
