Dexter EZ-Lube vs. Standard Trailer Hub — What's the Difference?
EZ-Lube hubs have a grease zerk fitting at the end of the spindle that lets you pump in fresh grease without removing the hub. Standard hubs have a plain grease cap — no zerk, no shortcut. Both types require annual inspection and full disassembly. EZ-Lube allows easier in-between lubrication, but does not eliminate the need for annual repack. The bearings themselves are identical.
How to Tell Which Type You Have
Remove the grease cap by tapping around the edge with a rubber mallet. Look at the end of the spindle:
- Grease zerk visible at the spindle end = EZ-Lube axle. You'll also see a rubber plug or removable cap over the zerk on the grease cap itself.
- Smooth spindle end, no zerk = Standard axle. Grease can only be added with the hub fully removed.
EZ-Lube axles also have a small channel drilled through the spindle so grease flows from the zerk through to the inner bearing. Standard axles have no such channel — pressing grease in would have nowhere to go.
Standard Hub
Plain grease cap — no zerk
- Grease added only during full hub removal
- Annual inspection requires full disassembly
- Lower cost — simpler design
- Preferred for dry-land use where immersion isn't an issue
- After water immersion: must repack immediately
- Same bearings as EZ-Lube (L68149 inner, L44649 outer on 3.5K)
EZ-Lube Hub
Zerk fitting at spindle end
- Fresh grease pumped in between annual repacks via grease gun
- Annual inspection still required — zerk doesn't replace repack
- Designed for water immersion (boat trailers)
- Slight premium in cost
- Critical: replace seal before greasing after hub removal — or grease contacts brake linings
- First fill takes a full tube of grease — factory fill is minimal
Using the EZ-Lube Grease Zerk Correctly
- Remove the rubber plug from the grease cap
The rubber plug covers the opening that accesses the zerk. Pry it out with a small screwdriver. Set it aside — it goes back in when you're done.
- Attach your grease gun to the zerk
Use NLGI #2 polyurea or lithium complex grease. Pump grease in slowly — about 3–5 pumps for a mid-season top-off. First time on a new hub or after a repack: pump until you see grease beginning to push out around the outer bearing or at the seal. On a new hub this can take a full tube.
- Stop when grease purges
When fresh grease appears at the outer bearing or dust seal, the cavity is full. Don't over-grease — excessive pressure can blow out the grease seal and contaminate the brake linings.
- Reinstall the rubber plug
Push the rubber plug firmly back into the cap opening to keep debris out of the zerk.
Per Dexter's official service manual: if you remove the hub from an EZ-Lube axle for any reason (inspection, bearing replacement, brake service), you must replace the grease seal before adding any grease through the zerk. The removal process deforms the seal. Greasing over a compromised seal forces grease past it and onto the brake shoes — destroying the brakes. New seal first, then grease.
Maintenance Schedule — Both Types
| Task | Standard Hub | EZ-Lube Hub |
|---|---|---|
| Full inspection/repack | Annually or every 12,000 miles | Annually or every 12,000 miles — grease zerk doesn't replace this |
| Mid-season grease top-off | Not possible without hub removal | Pump grease through zerk — 3 to 5 pumps |
| After water immersion | Repack immediately — standard hubs aren't sealed for immersion | Pump fresh grease through zerk to purge water — EZ-Lube is designed for this |
| Bearing replacement | Replace cone and cup together as a set | Same — replace cone and cup as a set, then replace seal before greasing |
The Bearings Are the Same
The bearing part numbers are identical between EZ-Lube and standard axles of the same capacity. For a 3,500 lb axle (#84 spindle): inner bearing is L68149, outer bearing is L44649. For 5,200–6,000 lb axles: inner bearing is 25580, outer bearing is 15123. When ordering a bearing kit, just confirm whether you need the EZ-Lube cap or the standard cap — the bearings themselves are the same.
