Repacking Bearings on Dexter Travel Trailer Axles.

Today Barry repacks his 2021 Grand Design 2600RB bearings that have 15k miles on them. We demonstrate how to do it and how the dexter easy lube system works. This system can be used to put grease in for those who don’t want to change grease without removing the bearings. We noticed the seals were allowing old grease to slip by just a little. So replacing seals and repacking bearings may be the better option over using the easy lube system only.
See how the Dexter Easy Lube system works at the 12:20 mark.

[@tracymeskel2839]

The old style nuts, had cotter pins holding it all together. Cotter pins are also used on helicopter main rotor. They call that cotter pin, the Jesus pin. Cause if they ever loose that pin, or it breaks,the pilot yells “Oh Jesus, We’re Dead”

[@denniswalker9738]

If you haven’t checked your Dexter manual, you might want to. I don’t think you got the bearings properly seated. Usually you need to torque the nut with a wrench, then back it off prior to installing the keeper. There is a good chance your bearings are too loose.

[@mmurphy2368]

I second Dennis's comment. Please check the Dexter manual.

[@Oldtech51]

You just packed the bearings. Why are you pumping more grease in through the Lazy Lube system?

[@brucetifer]

I haven’t repacked the bearing of my trailer yet but way back when when I need to remove the grease seal, I would set the drum on two pieces of 2 x 4 and use a brass drift to push the bearings in the seal out at the same time, you just have to catch it on a piece of paper napkin. Just saying.

[@bmfilmnut]

You made one serious mistake. You didn't adjust the bearings correctly. After installing the outer bearing, you should smg down the nut moderately tight with a wrench because finger tight won't do for this step. Then you spin the drum, or better yet, mount the wheel and spin it.That forced out extra grease. Then loosen the nut and then tighten it finger tight and put on the cage nut and cotter pin. With the wheel and tire mounted you can check for end play. That's why it's better to adjust the bearings with the wheel mounted. The way you did it, you're virtually guaranteed for the adjustment to be too loose causing end play and premature bearing failure when the excess grease it forced out. You need to force the excess grease out BEFORE adjusting the nut. If I were you, I would jack up each wheel, spin it a few times if the trailer hasn't been used and re-adjust the bearing nut. Simple and fast. If you've pulled the trailer, just jack each wheel up and re-adjust the nut. Squeezing out excess grease by tightening the nut a bit and spinning the wheel is a critical step that you missed. I can guarantee that you have end play the way you did it. That can destroy bearings very fast. And don't install lug nuts with an impact wrench!

[@DSGB2199]

Still looked good, adding grease to fully packed bearings does nothing but push it out the rear seal. The grease doesnt go anywhere idk why they even put ez lube fittings on them

[@Tigerwilson88]

At the 6:40 mark, we addressed this. The seal is extremely strong and the rubber part is pressed up against a thicker portion of the spindle. I would be very surprised to see the pressure of grease going through the bearings to be stronger than the pressure required to blow past that really strong seal that is also buttressed by the spindle.