Greasing those wheel bearings.....

[GWPeck]

I have a 2006 Fleetwood Timberlake, and it is time for its first wheel-bearing re-lubrication.  Since I'm fundamentally lazy, I thought I'd ask a simple question in case there is an easy answer to be had...

Since my manuals for the trailer are not specific on the axle-type I have--I'm wondering if anyone knows (off the top of their head) if this model carries the "E-Z Lube" feature? (The set-up that allows grease to be pumped through a "zerk" fitting to push out the old, and pump-in new lube.)  

If there is a quick way to ID the axle-type before I pull the wheels, that is also helpful.

I know I'll discover the answer when I pull the wheels to get the job done--but it would be good to know before I start so I'll have the right tools and lube-device handy once I start--especially if I have to do it the old-fashioned way.

Also, if anyone has a suggestion for a synthetic-grease alternative to the standard petroleum-based stuff, I'd love to hear it--I'm trying to go all-synthetics in my lubricant choices, since they seem to last longer and lube better.

And besides, any time I can cheat the dinosaur, it's a good deal (because, usually, the dinosaur always wins).

Thanks in advance for the assist.

[tlhdoc]

You should have received an axel book with the papers that came with your PU.

Even if you have the EZ-Lube axle you should still pull the wheels and check the bearings to see if there are any problems with them.  Have fun doing the job.

[flyfisherman]

Oh, yes ... the grease ...


//www.dexteraxle.com

[dthurk]

The Easy-Lube axle will have a rubber-ish cap in the center of the axle hub on the outside.  Pull the rubber cap and you will find the fitting.  You can use it to add grease, and it does that quite effectively, but that still does not replace regular re-packing maintenance.

[GWPeck]

The Easy-Lube axle will have a rubber-ish cap in the center of the axle hub on the outside.  Pull the rubber cap and you will find the fitting.  You can use it to add grease, and it does that quite effectively, but that still does not replace regular re-packing maintenance.

This trailer is EZ-Lube-equipped.  I performed the EZ-lube re-grease with a Mobil 1 synthetic grease-gun cartridge product, per the instructions in the Dexter axle manual.  Valvoline has a similar product, but my experience with Mobil 1 products in my TV has been very good, so I went with their stuff.

It was an easy job, and having the opportunity to replace the bearing grease whenever I want is a nice option--a clean bearing is a happy bearing, I suspect.

It appears that the strip-down to do a full-service job is not complicated, but does require a service kit.  Since this trailer has less than 2,000 miles on it (we have lots of good camping really close), I may postpone a full bearing inspection for a few more miles yet.  In the meantime, I'll get the service-kit, and be prepared for a nice Saturday project.

Thanks to everyone for the good counsel.

BTW--I get an average 18+ mpg towing this unit behind a 2005 Toyota 4Runner with their  24-valve 4 liter V-6.  This is without engaging the overdrive gear in the auto transmission (per Toyota advice).  Frankly, I find this amazing.

[brainpause]

BTW--I get an average 18+ mpg towing this unit behind a 2005 Toyota 4Runner with their  24-valve 4 liter V-6.  This is without engaging the overdrive gear in the auto transmission (per Toyota advice).  Frankly, I find this amazing.

On the surface, at first, it does seem amazing.

However, keeping the engine in or close to its "sweet spot" of the RPM (and thus HP/torque) range under load keeps you from having to put your foot into it more. At lower RPM (and lower HP/torque), you have to put your foot into the accelerator, giving it more fuel, but not a lot of HP/torque. It also "costs" some fuel to downshift from OD to your next gear.

The temptation to keep a vehicle under load (as in towing) in OD comes from the idea that lower engine RPM's=lower gas consumption=higher gas mileage. That is really only true for an engine not under load. Even a Toyota Prius needs to downshift under load, as in a hill.

Larry