Saf-T-Lube Axles

[C_M_25]

Hey guys. Quick question. My trailer came with Saf-T-Lube axles. The have a little rubber end cap on the end of the hubs. I'm assuming there is a grease point behind there? How am I supposed to maintain these axles?

The reason why I ask is that on the hub (the piece that sticks out away from the wheel that has the rubber cap on it), I have noticed a dark greasy line (where the arrow is pointing in the picture). The picture attached is not my wheel btw. I haven't noticed any slung grease around the wheel. It is only a small dark line maybe an eighth of an inch. Is this a sign of a seal failing?

[COTTS4x4]

Make sure the cap is pressed all the way in (tap with a hammer). If you take the silver part out you can clean the edge that seats into the black hub really good and run a bead of silicone RTV on it and it will stop it from leaking.

[C_M_25]

So that entire silver piece comes out? Does it screw out or is it pressed in there?

How do I lube this hub? Is it one of those that you just use the grease gun to flush the hub without taking the hub apart?

[HandymanHerb]

yep you just start pumping in the grease while holding a rag to catch the old stuff and repack your bearing in seconds

[TDJ2591]

I wouldn't remove the chrome piece unless it has failed and is leaking badly from the inside. They are friction fit and must be hammered in (using a block of wood between the hammer and the chrome piece). The more you remove them, the more likely they are to not fit tightly and leak or fit too loosely. I have seen them fall off.

There are several similar brands of these spring-loaded bearing protectors. Search YouTube for "Bearing Buddy" and you'll find videos showing how to install and how they work. Be care not to overfill them from the grease gun as you can blow out the rear seal. I always use a marine grease that is unaffected by water; however, certain grease types don't mix with each other and will separate.

Even with bearing buddys you should periodically (every few years) clean and repack your wheel bearings and install new seals as old grease can harden and seals can fail. My son learned this the hard way this month on the used boat & trailer he purchased. Despite my urging him to pull the hubs and check the bearings, he didn't and the bearings failed while on the highway. He's now shoppping for a new axle. (I made the same mistake years ago!)

Be sure to pack them with the same grease that you will be using in your grease gun.

[C_M_25]

From the sounds of it, you are supposed to "overfill" these so it pushes the old grease out, correct? I would think that if this is normal maintenance, I shouldn't have to worry about blowing out the rear seals?

I guess I'll take a block of wood and hammer to that piece and see if it slides in a bit. Can water getting in to the hubs cause the "leak" I described?

[lakerunner]

Pull rubber center, the grease comes out from back bearing pushing old out front. I take a paper towel after greasing and pull a wad of grease out the front before reinstalling plug. This keeps grease from seeping around rubber plug.

[C_M_25]

Well hell. I went out to the boat to get a picture for you guys, and, well it isn't good. I noticed grease slung on the inside of the wheel. Haven't noticed that before. This boat was bought brand new last year, serviced by the dealer last winter, and only towed one-way 7 miles once a week or so. How in the hell do I have a bad seal already??

Let me ask you this: Can an overloaded trailer cause premature seal failure on the bearings? I have a 20 ft toon and they put me on a single axle trailer with 2200 lb caring capacity. Dry weight for my boat is 1750 lbs, it has a 90 horse yamaha, and it holds 20 gallons of fuel. I've talked to them about this before and they assured me that they do this all the time and haven't had issues...

[ron nh]

That is very low capacity for a trailer large enough to put a 20'er on. Are you sure about capacity? not doubting you, just double checking. if I remember correctly my 18' single axle was 2,700lbs capacity. A" little" grease splash isnt unusual, happened all the time on my landscaping trailers & never had issues.

[C_M_25]

Yeah, the total weight the axle can carry is something around 2800 lbs, but when you take that less than the trailer weight, it comes out to actual carrying capacity of 2200 lbs. Pretty weak....

Anyway, here are the pictures I got. I'm thinking about taking it to the dealer this week. I wonder if it will make the 20 miles without crapping out on me.

[HandymanHerb]

The seal could have got damage when they built it, that would be a quick fix and don't know if I would wait the time at the dealer just for that, you could remove the wheel, go get a seal, replace it in the time it would take to get to a dealer.

But if you have grease in there you will be fine to tow it, if in doubt shoot some in before you go

[TDJ2591]

Blowing grease out like that can result from pumping too much grease into the hub, a bad or blown seal or an inverted seal. Sice it's slinging grease from the front and rear of the hub, i would say too much grease was pumped in. If it's under warranty, I'd take it to the dealer and ask him to have the bearings cleaned and repacked and the seal replaced. It's an easy do-it-yoursel repair but why hassle with it, especially if you've never repacked bearings or replaced a seal yourself.

[C_M_25]

I guess i don't understand how you can pack too much grease in this system since it is designed to come out the front. Am I correct in thinking that?

[lakerunner]

Thats what is nice about that set up, there is no pressure on seals. The Bearing Buddy with spring is bad at blowing rear seals. I would pull the wheel and replace seal myself.

[babock]

I have 2 trailers, one has Bearing Buddys and one is the system like you have which is the Zz lube system. The one that had the problems is the ez lube system because water got in through the rear seal.

I would be pulling all the hubs and inspect the bearings.