Wheel Bearing Maintenance

[Iowa Dave]

They put them in on the 2010 Escapes but by 2013 they quit. I salvaged the ones on the 2010 when I put new brakes on it and gave them to a friend. When we got the 13, there were no plugs so i bought some from my Dexter Dealer in Cedar Rapids. Part number DX 046-007-00 and is called “Plug for adjuster slot”. When I pull the drums to check my brake lining thickness and magnet surfaces before I start camping for the year I carefully with the applicator straw put a little shot of Tri Flow lubricant on the adjuster where it’s threaded together. The lubricant walks down the threads and makes it easier to adjust the brakes during the season if needed or once I get the drum back on and adjust them for our maiden voyage of the year. YMMV
Iowa Dave

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

And that's pretty cheap of them. Rubber plugs were standard on cars as long as I can remember. Would have been nice if they hadn't been so cheap because every bit of crud that you can keep out of the area of the brake shoes is good.

Ron

Always had rubber plugs on brake drums . Was disappointed first time I did brake adjustment and there wasn’t any rubber plugs . But my buddy on the forum sent me some so all is good . Pat

[padlin]

My 2014 has the plugs, might be cause it's leaf spring.

[McBride]

With a call to Dexter I found out that they no longer use the plugs. As of a few years ago, and a study showing that they made no difference, they are not using plugs anymore.

[Ron in BC]

Always nice to have a study that shows you can go cheap.

Ron

[Patandlinda]

Very convenient but our trailer has the plugs ! Pat
Another thought ,why are they still available if not necessary but you have to purchase the rubber plugs .

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by padlin

My 2014 has the plugs, might be cause it's leaf spring.

That shouldn't matter - the brakes (and bearings) are identical between beam axles (with leaf springs) and Torflex assemblies of the same capacity range.

[Kingbiscuit]

Would anyone know what size or part number wheel bearings a 2018 Escape 19 with the Dexter EZ Lube axel/hubs needs? I think I'd prefer to buy Timken if possible.

There's nothing wrong with the originals, I'm just going to buy a couple of sets to carry with me as we travel. That way if we lose a bearing somewhere, pretty much any shop should be able to replace it.

Thanks,

Dan

[Iowa Dave]

I’m not where I can reference those parts numbers right now but, I did notice at a farm store last week a package of three small tubes of Lucas Red and Tacky wheel bearing grease on a shelf by the full sized tubes and the tubs. A single small tube could easily do 4 or 5 bearings. Might be something to carry along with your spare bearing and seal sets. A belt and suspenders kit in a small plastic box with a tight latch lid would have:
1 hubcap
1 nut Retainer clip or Cotter key
1 Axle nut or Castle nut
1 “Thrust”washer
1 outer bearing
1 inner bearing
1 rear seal
Grease ( Wheel bearing grade)
A few Paper towels
Minimal, not necessarily the “correct” Tools
Screw driver flat blade, medium size.
Medium sized channel locks
Small ballpein hammer

Finally, and this is not intended to be snarky, the understanding and ability to make the repair at hand. In this case, try this at home and with someone who has done it before instead of trying to learn and execute in the field. There might not be you tube service where you need it. (Or friends)
YMMV
Iowa Dave

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Kingbiscuit

Would anyone know what size or part number wheel bearings a 2018 Escape 19 with the Dexter EZ Lube axel/hubs needs? I think I'd prefer to buy Timken if possible.

There's nothing wrong with the originals, I'm just going to buy a couple of sets to carry with me as we travel. That way if we lose a bearing somewhere, pretty much any shop should be able to replace it.

You can get a kit like this for cheaper but they aren’t Timken:
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Bea...r/BK2-100.html

Or see below for Timken’s. You might find inner and outer sets if you do a search.
Outer bearing:
https://www.amazon.com/Timken-L44649.../dp/B001542PZS

Outer race:
https://www.amazon.com/Timken-L44610.../dp/B00153ZENO

Inner bearing:
https://www.amazon.com/Timken-L68149.../dp/B00153ZEP2

Inner race:
https://www.amazon.com/Timken-L68111.../dp/B00153ZEO8

Seal:
https://www.amazon.com/Trailer-Greas.../dp/B006UH5TV2

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

You can get a kit like this for cheaper but they aren’t Timken:
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Bea...r/BK2-100.html

Or see below for Timken’s. You might find inner and outer sets if you do a search.
Outer bearing:
https://www.amazon.com/Timken-L44649.../dp/B001542PZS

Outer race:
https://www.amazon.com/Timken-L44610.../dp/B00153ZENO

Inner bearing:
https://www.amazon.com/Timken-L68149.../dp/B00153ZEP2

Inner race:
https://www.amazon.com/Timken-L68111.../dp/B00153ZEO8

Seal:
https://www.amazon.com/Trailer-Greas.../dp/B006UH5TV2

I can save you the trouble of searching for the bearing sets - here they are. It's better (and cheaper) to buy the bearings in matched sets:

Inner bearing L68149 / L68111 - Set 17
https://www.amazon.com/Timken-SET17-...5235491&sr=8-1

Outer bearing L44649 / L44610 - Set 4
https://www.amazon.com/Timken-SET4-B.../dp/B000X3EPWS


Here is the Dexter seal:
Seal Dexter 010-019-00 Double Lip - ID 1.719" / OD 2.565"
https://www.amazon.com/Dexter-010019...5234838&sr=8-1

I have used the Lippert seals with good success - 10 pack for less than $19.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1

[Oldtimer]

Tyvm TDF

[tacchino]

Started on servicing my bearings for the first time yesterday. Only through two wheels but interestingly I found that one wheel had grease in the brake assembly. 10,000 miles on the trailer and have never used the easy lube feature. I did notice though that there was a lot of grease around the grease zerk and in the grease cap. Makes me wonder if maybe Escape pumped in some grease that way or if it was just a seal failure without EasyLube to blame.

[Rossue]

Same thing happened with our Escape- I doubt ETI adds any grease. Just goes to show the importance of inspection. Also be checking for abnormal tire wear in the first few thousand miles as well as some axles(small percentage) are defective from Dexter's factory.

[Iowa Dave]

It’s been common over the years for me to see large semi trailer loads of trailer frames going down the Interstate. I always wondered where they were bound. After buying boat trailers, utility trailers and finally the Escape it became clear that completed trailer manufacturers were the destination of the raw trailer frames. I don’t believe that most manufacturers inspect the hubs, bearings and brake assemblies once they arrive other than a cursory inspection for damage or poor welds etc. Strictly an exterior inspection. Then the final trailer is produced. Again, the final inspection is cursory and out the door she goes. Seems unfair to a degree but I believe that once you get your trailer of any kind home, the first thing a new owner ought to do is pull the wheels, inspect for grease either too little or too much, adjust the brakes after they are burnished in, inspect the visible wiring and plumbing connections etc. Sometimes you have to do your own Quality Control. I don’t mind, but I have time and background. We used to re-brand the word “problem”
with “opportunity.” Kind of phony but an option and maybe makes some people feel better.
Iowa Dave

[Centex]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

... We used to re-brand the word “problem” with “opportunity.” ....

Still a good philosophy in many cases, IMO / IME (looking for, and finding, the positive in the apparent negative).

- says The Eternal Optimist

[tacchino]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Same thing happened with our Escape- I doubt ETI adds any grease. Just goes to show the importance of inspection. Also be checking for abnormal tire wear in the first few thousand miles as well as some axles(small percentage) are defective from Dexter's factory.

Yeah, wouldn't have expected it either but why so much grease in the grease cap / around the spindle nut and zerk? Surely during assembly they wouldn't use that.


Anyway, three out of four had grease past the seals and into the brake assembly.

[tacchino]

Pics of the last one.

[elongest]

I have replaced quite a few Dexter axles. The factory fresh axles appear to be lightly packed never have I seen full hubs or red grease. If your trailer was picked up, maybe the border transporter greased the axles. Years ago, a person picked up a Scamp and headed directly to Alaska. A bearing failed and ruined the spindle while in Canada. Scamp shipped them an axle to get back on the road. As stated earlier check your bearings and brakes as soon as you get your trailer or new axle.
Eddie

[MVA]

I had to replace an axle on our E19. The axle was shipped directly from Dexter. The grease cap looked very similar to the pic you posted.

I have greased the bearings using both the E-Z lube zerks and pulling the rear seal and packing the bearings. I have found either works well, but the E-Z lube zerks requires patience (go slow) and warmer grease (sunny day, not 40F) so that grease does not blow out the rear seal. YMMV.