Converting to Oil Fill Bearings????

Salmon Fisher · Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 11:57 am Post subject:

I've thought about converting over to oil bath on my C-Dory trailer. I just read several reviews on the amazon kodiak oil bath conversion and the same kit on etrailer and people are complaining about oil leaking from the inner seal.

I think the oil bath EZ loader kit is better. I ordered replacement seals for my Ranger Tug trailer and talked to a tech in the parts department. He talked me through the process.

The important thing to make sure no leaks, he said, was to use some red RTV sealant on the surface where the seal goes into the hub, on the threads of screw on cap and on threaded filler plug that screws into outer part of hub.

So far, so good on that trailer and a whole lot easier and cleaner to do periodic maintenance. I also really like the ability to see the oil. On one of the hubs, I noticed milky looking oil and that caused me to change it out.

colbysmith · Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 12:09 pm Post subject:

The pressed in hubs are a tight fit. I’ve never had one come off. And to remove it to remove a wheel or bearing you have to gently knock around it with a hammer while also prying on it. The only time I lost oil was in the parking lot at Bullfrog on Lake Powell when someone must have gotten their trailer to close to mine and broke the plastic cap off. I carried spares! Colby

drbridge · Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 12:37 pm Post subject:

colbysmith · Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 5:31 pm Post subject:

I’ve dinged a few, but just cosmetic. Using a rubber or wood mallet works better than a metal hammer. And being gentle with the screwdriver used for prying. I’ve also used a larger pliers with rag wrapped around the oil hub body. Colby

DayBreak · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2021 7:59 pm Post subject:

I have never had a trailer with oil bath hubs, until now, but have known about them for years.

We have been satisfied in using a previous boat trailer that had bearing buddies installed. The only problem in using bearing buddies is the constant grease splatter that builds up over time on the outside and inside of the trailer wheel.

Our two current boat trailers have oil bath hubs and we are very satisfied with the use of them. If you put a lot of miles on your trailer, consider going with oil bath hubs. The condition of and the level of the oil in the unit is easy to observe because of the sight glass window on the outside of the hub.

journey on · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2021 8:36 pm Post subject:

If you want to remove the pressed in oil bearing adapters, take the hub to a auto machine shop. They have (or should have) an expanding tool that will fit inside the pressed in adapter and will yank that sucker right out.

If one beats it off with a hammer, there's risk of damaging the aluminum: dings, gouges, flat spots, etc.

Boris

tsturm · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2021 9:38 pm Post subject:

tsturm · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2021 9:41 pm Post subject:

T.R. Bauer · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2021 10:19 pm Post subject:

colbysmith · Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2021 9:38 am Post subject:

Amazon. Two sizes. The smaller one fits 5 lug and the larger fits 6 lug. Generally. The included seal may or may not fit and that’s the most important part. I can look later at what size fit my Ez Loader under Midnight Flyer. But it’s the original rubber coated seal that came on the trailer. The kit seal is too big and that’s why some of the negative reviews. Colby

tsturm · Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2021 9:57 am Post subject:

I'm interested and sold! The only that has stopped me is changing out hubs. So, Amazon? 6 Robbers? Trailercraft? White Spruce?[/quote]

Six States / Robbers, I use permatex anaerobic sealer on the alu. cap to hub joint (just to make it harder to remove) Thumbs Up

You don't need the Kodiak oil the second time any 80-90 gear oil is fine. Take a set of dial calipers and measure YOUR spindles as there is 2 seal choices (same o.d. different i.d.) Thumbs Up

Go to your favorite Hyd. store and get a few extra cap "O" rings. Wink

journey on · Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2021 1:03 pm Post subject:

I did a Google search for the Kodiak hubs I needed, with part number. Picked the cheapest, some place on e-bay. Arrived from Florida in a couple of days. Free delivery, no state tax. Fit perfectly.

One might ask for an extra layer of wrap; mine arrived with no dings, but some holes in the wrap.

I also changed out the brake lines, since they were corroded. Used stainless steel tubes from a local tube shop. They replicated all the solid lines as well as the flexible hoses.

Boris