Oil bath bearing oil change.

M

mgarr682

New member
I'm getting ready to change the oil in my oil bath bearings (EZ Loader trailer). The manual says to use "SAE 50W or 90W gear oil." Does that mean hypoid gear oil like I use in my motorcycle transmission and final drive or some other type of "gear oil?" And, does the 3/16" allen screw fill need any type of sealer or anti-seize when replaced after adding the new oil?

Thanks for any help!
 
I used 90W, and now I have a lifetime supply. Just pulled the Allen screw and replaced. No treatment on the threads. Simpler than servicing greased bearings.
 
Whatever gear oil you have should work, this is not a critical application. Much easier to find than straight 50 wt engine oil.
BTW engine and gear oils have different viscosity scales. 50 wt engine oil is close to 90 wt gear oil.
 
How often should it be changed? I have two seasons on this 2012 trailer and tow it about 20 miles R/T about 3 or 4 times a month from May through Oct.
 
To get a more complete change, I raised the wheels on one side of the trailer onto 4" blocks. then I unscrewed the caps that contain the plastic inspection window to drain the hubs on the side opposite the blocks. Reinstall after fully drained and refill through the small hole, about 5/8-3/4 full.

Marty, After a trip to the ramp, check the window in the hubs to see if there's any milky look to the oil. If so, change it immediately. If not, they can go a long time without maintenance IMHO.
 
Just a few comments.

If you remove the hub caps to drain the oil, there's some left in the hub center, since the inboard bearing is larger than the outboard one. To get it all, pull the plugs. If you see any shiny particles, pull the hub and check the bearings.

The EZ factory recommends 80-90 gear oil. Reliable (hub mfg.) says to fill until the oil is at the top of the horizontal emblem. I use a small pump can (from NAPA, if I remember,) to put the oil in. Don't add to much at once and let it sit, since the oil has to seep out through the outer bearing into the hub cap to show a level. Take a couple of minutes between pumps.

The oil turns black due to the rubber wearing down in the lip seals. As to how often, how often do we change the grease in the hubs? Every couple of years sounds fine, unless you see milk in there.

Boris

Boris
 
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