Question Is there a specific type of grease gun needed for Dexter EZ Lube axles?

[kkaos]

Hi. I have a 2020 Gulfstream Vintage Cruiser, which I have owned and used for about 3 years now. I have never greased the axle/bearings/wheels and am trying to do so now. I have watched a couple videos on YouTube about how to use the Dexter EZ Lube system for removing the old grease and inserting the new grease.
I bought a Lumax LX-1153 grease gun from Auto Zone. Unfortunately, if I try to push the end of the grease gun connector onto the "zerk" (?) on the wheel, it feels like it goes on, but if I let off pressure with my hand, I can feel the connector get pushed off.
Is there a grease gun with a specific size connection that I should be using? If not, what might I be doing wrong? Thank you.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Push harder!!!
I repack bearings. Having a little extra grease won't hurt, but filling the hub up with grease only serves to add friction...

 

[sanda]

You should be able to adjust the nozzle end to fit tighter on the zerk.

 

[kkaos]

The coupler that comes with the grease gun will not push further on so it's not a matter of pushing harder unfortunately.

Twisting the coupler end onto the fitting also makes no difference.

I went to Auto Zone earlier and got a smaller coupler that does screw onto the Lumax gun. It connects onto the fitting of the wheel and does not pop off, but it moves around while connected. Not sure if that is right. Also, the new grease appears to be coming out in between the two pieces of the coupler, and those pieces cannot be screwed in anymore against each other.

Is this a problem?

 

[TheLooks]

I think you need to tighten up the fitting maybe. The end of the gun fitting turns and allows the end to go on over the zerk, then rotating it will tighten it on the zerk. However, grease guns produce so much pressure they can crack things when the pressure does not go where it is supposed to. The correct way to use an ez lube system is jack up the tire and rotate it while applying grease. It helps that the temps be warm as it would appear that you are building pressure. Old grease can harden and be difficult to move. I bet yours is.

 

[Rich W.]

Also the tiny spring-loaded ball in your zerk could be stuck with old, dried grease, and not permitting the new grease to flow past it. Use an awl or something silimar to push on the ball and free it up, and if that doesnt work (the zerk being full of solidified, old, dry grease) remove the zerk and clean it out or replace it. Then all will be fine in bearing-buddy land and grease will flow freely. However as Kevin pointed out, it may be best to re-pack the wheel bearings by hand at this point if it has not been done in a few years (your ownership plus the previous owner’s use).

 

[kkaos]

I did read somewhere that the zerk could be stopped up, and I bet that is the case since I haven't ever changed the grease. I'll repack the bearings by hand at this point. Maybe I'll try the EZ Lube system again next year, but if repacking isn't really difficult, I might just keep doing that.

Thank yall for the advice.

 

[team bradfield]

manually pack your bearings, those ez lubes are a joke, they tend to blow out the back seal and grease your brakes, plus you need to inspect the bearings and seals.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

I agree with team bradfield. Although this was not on our previous trailer, it seems someone overpacked the Ez-Lube system. See below.

I always pull wheels and pack bearings by hand. That way I can inspect the races and seals and replace them if necessary.

.

 

[Rich W.]

I agree with team bradfield. Although this was not on our previous trailer, it seems someone overpacked the Ez-Lube system. See below.

I always pull wheels and pack bearings by hand. That way I can inspect the races and seals and replace them if necessary.

. View attachment 17920

That’s one for the record books!