Trailer Hub Bearing Adjustment and Grease, Step by Step

Along with bearing adjustment, proper lubrication is essential to the function and reliability of your trailer axle. Dexter's tapered roller bearings need a minimal amount of end play to last. Skipped maintenance can damage the wheel bearings, and damaged bearings can cause the wheel end to come off the axle. If that happens while the trailer is moving, you can lose control.

This guide walks through Dexter's procedure for standard grease, oil and E-Z Lube hubs on 2,000 to 8,000 lb. axles. It covers how to remove the hub, inspect and repack the bearings, adjust the spindle nut and put the wheel back on. Nev-R-Lube hubs use sealed bearings and a different procedure, covered at the end. On a Dexter axle, always follow Dexter's instructions. On another brand of axle, follow that maker's own manual.

Key takeaway

• How often: Lubricate the bearings every 12 months or 12,000 miles.
• Grease: Lithium complex, NLGI No. 2, with a dropping point of at least 215 C (419 F). Do not mix grease types.
• Adjustment: Rotate the hub while tightening the spindle nut to about 50 ft. lbs. Loosen the nut, finger tighten it until just snug, then lock it with the cotter pin or retainer.
• The goal: The hub turns freely with a small amount of end play. The nut should be free to move, held only by the cotter pin or retainer.
• Wheels: Torque the wheel nuts in stages after every wheel removal. Check them again at 10, 25 and 50 miles.

Terms you need

• Spindle: The machined end of the axle that the bearings ride on.
• Bearing cone and cup: A tapered roller bearing has two parts. The cone holds the rollers. The cup is pressed into the hub. Dexter uses an inner and an outer bearing in each hub.
• End play: A small amount of in-and-out movement of the hub on the spindle. Tapered roller bearings need a minimal amount of it.
• Spindle nut: The nut on the end of the spindle that holds the hub on and sets the bearing adjustment.
• Cotter pin or retainer: What locks the spindle nut in place. Standard grease and oil hubs use a cotter pin. E-Z Lube axles built after February 2002 use a nut retainer. Dexter's newer D-Flat spindles add a cotter pin hole and a castellated nut retainer.
• Seal: Pressed into the back of the hub behind the inner bearing. It keeps grease in and dirt and water out.
• Grease cap: The cap on the front of the hub. An E-Z Lube cap has a rubber plug in the end. An oil cap is clear and shows the oil level.

Which procedure fits your hub

Before you start

Elevate and support the trailer per the trailer manufacturer's instructions. Do not lift or support the trailer on any part of the axle or suspension. Never go under a trailer unless it is on jack stands rated for the load.

New hubs sold for a bare Dexter beam ship without grease or oil. The bearings must be packed or filled before use.

Step 1: Remove the hub

1. Remove the wheel.
2. Remove the grease cap by carefully prying around the flange of the cap. On an oil hub, unscrew the cap counterclockwise while you hold the hub still.
3. Remove the cotter pin from the spindle nut. On an E-Z Lube axle made after February 2002, gently pry the retainer off the nut and set it aside.
4. Unscrew the spindle nut (counterclockwise) and remove the spindle washer.
5. Pull the hub off the spindle. Do not let the outer bearing cone fall out. The seal holds the inner bearing cone in the hub.

Step 2: Clean and inspect the bearings

1. Wash all the grease and oil off the bearing cone with a suitable solvent.
2. Dry the bearing with a clean, lint-free cloth. Never spin a bearing with compressed air, because it can damage the bearing.
3. Inspect each roller. If you see any pitting, spalling or corrosion, replace the bearing.
4. Inspect the bearing cup inside the hub.

Bearings must always be replaced in sets of a cone and a cup. Keep the bearing bores in the hub clean. Metal chips or dirt left in the bearing cavity will cause early bearing failure. On a 5,200 lb. axle, check the outer bearing number before you order. Dexter Product Bulletin 479 moved 5,200 lb. axles built since 2023 to the 6,000 lb. hub, which uses a 15245 cup and 15123 cone. Older 5,200 lb. hubs use the LM67010 cup and LM67048 cone. The two do not interchange, so replace the outer bearing with the same size that came out.

Step 3: Check the seal

Whenever the hub is off, inspect the seal. If it is nicked or torn, or you are not sure it will still seal, replace it. On an E-Z Lube axle, always replace the seals before you grease the bearings. Otherwise grease is more likely to get on the brake linings.

• Pry the old seal out with a seal removal tool or a screwdriver. Never drive the seal out with the inner bearing, because you can damage the bearing.
• Clean the seal journal on the spindle and check it for nicks or roughness. Remove burrs with a file and clean the area with very fine emery cloth.
• Drive the new seal in evenly and straight with a seal driver, or a clean block of wood if you have no driver. Never hammer directly on the seal.
• On 600 to 8,000 lb. axles, the seal is pressed flush with the back of the hub. Do not drive it in deeper. A seal driven too deep can touch the inner bearing and keep it from turning freely.

Step 4: Grease or oil the bearings

Grease spec

Do not mix lithium, calcium, sodium or barium complex greases, because they may not be compatible. If you change from one type of grease to another, remove all the old grease first.

Grease we carry

Dexter sells its own bearing grease: Dexter #2 Lithium Complex Trailer Grease, 1 lb. tub (088-071-00). Dexter's grease also comes in a 14 oz. tube. Call us at 1-800-866-3336 for the tube. Dexter's grease on the approved list in the service manual is Lithoplex Red MP #2.

We also carry Timken Automotive Wheel Bearing Grease in a 14 oz. cartridge (GR224C) and a 1 lb. tub (GR224T). Its product pages list it as a red lithium complex grease, NLGI No. 2, with extreme pressure and corrosion protection. Whatever grease you use, check that it meets the full Dexter spec above, including the dropping point. See all Trailer Grease, including grease guns.

How to pack a bearing

1. Put some grease in the palm of your hand.
2. Press the widest end of the bearing into the outer edge of the grease pile, closest to your thumb, to force grease into the bearing.
3. Repeat while you rotate the bearing from roller to roller.
4. Keep going until the whole bearing is filled with grease.
5. Before you reinstall it, put a light coat of grease on the bearing cup.

Oil hubs

If your hubs are oil lubricated, check them periodically and refill as needed with a high quality hypoid gear oil, SAE 90, SAE 80W-90 or SAE 75W-90. Fill to the level marked on the clear plastic oil cap. You can fill through the oil fill hole in the hub, if there is one, or through the rubber plug hole in the cap.

Step 5: Reinstall the hub and adjust the bearings

Put the hub, bearings, washer and spindle nut back on the spindle in the reverse order you removed them. Then adjust the bearings with the steps for your nut lock.

On a Dexter axle, always follow Dexter's instructions. The steps below are from the Dexter service manual. If your Dexter part or kit comes with its own instruction sheet, follow that sheet for that part.

Standard grease or oil hubs (cotter pin)

1. Rotate the hub slowly while you tighten the spindle nut to about 50 ft. lbs. That is about full hand force on a 12" wrench or pliers.
2. Loosen the spindle nut to remove the torque. Do not rotate the hub.
3. Finger tighten the spindle nut until it is just snug.
4. Back the nut out slightly until the first castellation lines up with the cotter pin hole. Insert the cotter pin.
5. Bend over the cotter pin legs to secure the nut.
6. Check the nut. It should be free to move, held only by the cotter pin.

E-Z Lube hubs (nut retainer)

1. Rotate the hub slowly while you tighten the spindle nut to about 50 ft. lbs.
2. Loosen the spindle nut to remove the torque. Do not rotate the hub.
3. Finger tighten the nut until it is just snug. Line the retainer up with the machined flat on the spindle and press it onto the nut until it snaps into place. The retainer and nut should be free to move slightly.
4. If the nut is too tight, remove the retainer, back the nut off about one twelfth of a turn and reinstall the retainer. The nut should now be free to move slightly.
5. Reinstall the grease cap.

New castellated spindle nut retainer (D-Flat spindle with cotter pin)

Dexter Product Bulletin 474 (February 2, 2023) announced a new light-duty spindle nut attachment system for Sprung and Torflex axles rated 2,000 to 8,000 lbs. It uses the existing D-Flat spindle with an added cotter pin hole, a castellated spindle nut retainer and a cotter pin, for more precise bearing adjustment. It is a running change that starts with #8 and #9 Torflex axles and will eventually include all Sprung and Torflex axles up to 8,000 lbs.

• Axles built with the existing D-Flat spindle and cage system (no cotter pin hole) cannot use the new cotter pin system. Use the cage system replacement parts.
• Both versions of the D-Flat service parts can be used on a D-Flat spindle that has the cotter pin hole.
• Dexter is adding the new hardware to its service kits, so a kit may include both sets of parts.
• Use only the Dexter 006-191-00 spindle nut. Dexter warns not to use a standard SAE jam nut in its place.

Bulletin 474 does not list adjustment steps, and the service manual cited below does not cover this retainer yet. Dexter's 2021 hub, drum and bearing instruction sheet gives these steps for axles using a nut retainer and cotter pin:

1. With the hub, bearings, washers and spindle nut back on the spindle, rotate the hub slowly while you tighten the spindle nut to about 30 ft. lbs. That is about full hand force on a 12" wrench or pliers. The bearings should bind, but not lock up. If they lock up, find and repair the cause.
2. Leave the hub still and slowly loosen the wrench just until the torque on the nut goes to zero. Be alert. The torque will usually go to zero suddenly. Do not loosen past that point.
3. While you rotate the hub, finger tighten the spindle nut. This is the critical final adjustment step.
4. Install the spindle nut retainer and cotter pin. If you need to move the nut to fit the pin or retainer, loosen it only as much as needed. Never tighten the nut beyond finger tight.
5. On an E-Z Lube or similar spindle, grease the hub as shown in Step 6.
6. If the axle has a pressurized bearing protector, such as a Trailer Buddy, install it with a block of wood and a mallet. Add grease through the fitting until the piston just rocks or is in the middle of its travel.

Dexter revised this procedure in 2022. Dexter's 2022 and 2023 pre-greased hub kit instruction sheets seat the nut at about 50 ft. lbs. instead of 30. With the hub still, you loosen the nut until the torque goes to zero, then turn it clockwise until it is finger tight. Then install the retainer and cotter pin, moving the nut slightly until the first castellation lines up with the cotter pin hole. These sheets also say to make sure all replacement spindle nut hardware matches the hardware from the retention system already on the axle. Follow the instruction sheet that comes with your Dexter part.

Step 6: Grease an E-Z Lube hub

On an E-Z Lube axle, you can grease the bearings without removing the hub. Grease pumped into the fitting in the end of the spindle goes to the inner bearing, flows back to the outer bearing and comes out the grease cap hole.

1. Remove the rubber plug from the end of the grease cap.
2. Put a standard manual grease gun on the grease fitting in the end of the spindle. Make sure the nozzle is fully engaged.
3. Rotate the hub and pump grease slowly into the fitting. The old grease will start to flow out of the cap around the nozzle.
4. When clean new grease shows, remove the gun, wipe off the extra grease and put the rubber plug back in the cap.

Dexter strongly recommends not using a pneumatic grease gun. It can inject grease too fast and force grease past the seal. E-Z Lube is designed to allow immersion in water. Bearings on axles without E-Z Lube are not designed for immersion and should be repacked after each immersion. E-Z Lube and oil lubrication do not replace periodic inspection of the bearings.

Step 7: Put the wheel back on

Start every nut by hand, then snug them to about 10 ft. lbs. to seat the wheel. Torque the wheel nuts in three stages, following the crisscross sequence for your bolt pattern. Torque them before the first road use and after each wheel removal. Check and re-torque them after the first 10 miles, 25 miles and again at 50 miles, then check them periodically. When you are done, about three stud threads should show past the end of each nut (Dexter Product Bulletin 409).

BC is the bolt circle: 440 is 4 on 4", 545 is 5 on 4.5", 655 is 6 on 5.5" and 865 is 8 on 6.5". Follow the torque sequence for your 4, 5, 6 or 8 bolt pattern shown with the chart in the service manual. Dexter lists the maximum fastener torque as 120 ft. lbs. for 1/2"-20, 170 ft. lbs. for 9/16"-18 and 325 ft. lbs. for 5/8"-18.

Nev-R-Lube hubs

Nev-R-Lube bearings are opposed tapered roller bearing cones sealed inside a one piece double cup. They are lubricated, assembled and sealed at the factory, and no further lubrication is ever needed. To remove the hub, take off the snap ring and the torque instruction washer on the end of the spindle before you unscrew the spindle nut. The bearing cartridge stays in the hub. Do not remove it unless you are replacing it, because removal takes special tools. A replacement cartridge comes as a complete kit with the bearing, snap ring, spindle hardware and instructions. Per Dexter Product Bulletin 458, these parts are no longer sold separately.

Inspect Nev-R-Lube bearings every year or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Pull the tire toward you and push it away. Slight end play is acceptable. Rotate the tire slowly both ways. It should turn freely and smoothly. Replace the bearing unit if you find excessive end play, a tight spot, noise or bumpy rotation. Nev-R-Lube is not designed for immersion in water, such as boat trailer use.

Other axle brands

Everything above is Dexter's procedure for Dexter axles. Other brands follow their own manual. For a Lippert 2,000 to 7,000 lb. axle, the Lippert owner's manual sets the spindle nut this way:

1. Install the hub on the spindle, then the outer bearing.
2. Install the spindle washer, if equipped, and thread on the spindle nut with the slots facing out.
3. Tighten the spindle nut to about 50 ft. lbs. with slip joint pliers.
4. Back off the torque, usually 1/4 turn, so you can finger tighten the nut.
5. Finger tighten the nut and drop the cotter pin through the slot and the hole in the spindle. If no slot lines up with a hole, back the nut off until one does. Never tighten past finger tight. Use the cotter pin hole that gives the least end play.
6. Bend the legs over the end of the spindle so they do not hit the cap.

Lippert treats the cotter pin as a one-time-use part, so discard the old one. Lippert's grease spec is also lithium complex, NLGI No. 2, but with a dropping point of at least 230 C (446 F). Use Lippert's own wheel torque chart on a Lippert axle and Dexter's chart on a Dexter axle.

Bearing service checklist

1. Trailer supported on rated jack stands, not on the axle or suspension
2. Bearings washed, dried and inspected. Replace any with pitting, spalling or corrosion, cone and cup together.
3. Seal inspected, or replaced (always on E-Z Lube after hub removal)
4. Grease is lithium complex NLGI No. 2, not mixed with another type
5. Bearings fully packed and the cups lightly greased, or the oil hub filled to the line
6. Spindle nut set: about 50 ft. lbs. while rotating, loosened, finger snug
7. Cotter pin legs bent over, or the retainer snapped on. On a castellated retainer, follow the instruction sheet that came with the Dexter part.
8. Grease cap reinstalled
9. Wheel nuts torqued in stages, with re-checks at 10, 25 and 50 miles

Verify fitment before ordering parts or contact Southwest Wheel for assistance. Call 1-800-866-3336.

Frequently asked questions

How often should trailer wheel bearings be greased?

Dexter says bearings should be lubricated every 12 months or 12,000 miles. Bearings on an axle without E-Z Lube should also be repacked after each immersion in water.

How tight should the spindle nut be?

Not tight. Seat the bearings at about 50 ft. lbs. while you rotate the hub, loosen the nut, and then finger tighten it until it is just snug. With a cotter pin, back the nut off to the first castellation that lines up with the hole. The nut should be free to move, held only by the cotter pin or retainer.

What grease should I use?

A lithium complex grease, NLGI No. 2, with a dropping point of 215 C (419 F) minimum, EP, corrosion and oxidation inhibitors and a viscosity index of 80 minimum. The Dexter service manual lists approved brands. We carry Dexter #2 Lithium Complex grease, 1 lb. tub (088-071-00), also available in a 14 oz. tube, and Timken Automotive Wheel Bearing Grease in a 14 oz. cartridge or 1 lb. tub.

My Dexter spindle has a cotter pin hole and a castellated retainer. Which steps do I use?

That is Dexter's newer D-Flat system from Product Bulletin 474. Dexter's 2021 instruction sheet seats the nut at about 30 ft. lbs. Dexter revised the procedure in 2022, and the 2022 and 2023 sheets use about 50 ft. lbs. Follow the instruction sheet that comes with your Dexter part. On a Dexter axle, always follow Dexter's instructions.

Can I mix two kinds of grease?

No. Do not mix lithium, calcium, sodium or barium complex greases. If you switch types, remove all the old grease first.

Can I use an air-powered grease gun on E-Z Lube hubs?

Dexter strongly recommends against it. It can inject grease too fast and force grease past the seal. Use a standard manual grease gun.

Do I have to replace the seal every time?

Replace it if it is nicked, torn or you are not sure it will still seal. On an E-Z Lube axle, replace the seals any time the hubs come off, before you grease the bearings.

Can I replace just the bearing cone?

No. Bearings must always be replaced in sets of a cone and a cup.

My tires are cupping. Could it be the bearings?

Dexter's tire wear chart lists cupping as an out-of-balance condition and says to check the bearing adjustment and balance the tires.

Need a new hub with bearings, seal and cap? See Trailer Hubs with Parts, or Trailer Hubs for the hub alone.

Want the factory part for a Dexter axle? Browse Genuine Dexter Replacement Parts.

Matching hubs to a new Dexter beam? See Build a Complete Dexter Trailer Axle.

Checking wheel and tire ratings while the wheels are off? See Choosing Trailer Axle Capacity: Hitch Weight, GAWR, Wheels and Tires.

Spindle or axle too worn to service? See How to Identify Your Old Trailer Axle and Order a Dexter Replacement.

Southwest Wheel - Your Trailers Best Friend Since 1919.

References

• Dexter 2,000 - 8,000 lbs. Axle Service Manual, Hubs/Drums/Bearings: page 49 (bearing types, E-Z Lube, Nev-R-Lube), page 50 (Hub Removal - Standard Bearings), page 51 (Bearing Inspection), page 52 (Bearing Lubrication - Grease and Oil), pages 53 and 54 (Recommended Wheel Bearing Lubrication Specifications), page 55 (Seal Inspection and Replacement), pages 56 and 57 (Bearing Adjustment and Hub Replacement; E-Z Lube Lubrication), pages 59 to 61 (Nev-R-Lube Drums/Bearings).
• Dexter 2,000 - 8,000 lbs. Axle Service Manual, Wheels and Tires: page 72 (wheel nut torque timing), page 73 (Wheel Torque Requirements), page 76 (Tire Wear Diagnostic Chart).
• Dexter 2,000 - 8,000 lbs. Axle Service Manual, Wheels and Tires: page 74 (Maximum Wheel Fastener Torque).
• Dexter Installation Instructions, Hubs/Drums/Bearings, 059-831-00 Rev. C (2021.06): pages 2 and 3, Bearing Adjustment and Hub Replacement (For axles using nut retainer and cotter pin).
• Dexter Installation Instructions, Pre-Greased Hub Kits, 059-B16-04 Rev. A (2022.04): pages 1 and 2, Bearing Adjustment and Hub Replacement (For axles using nut retainer and cotter pin).
• Dexter Installation Instructions, Pre-Greased Hub Kits, 059-831-50 Rev. A (2023.02): page 2, Bearing Adjustment and Hub Replacement (For axles using nut retainer and cotter pin).
• Dexter Product Bulletin 474, New Light-Duty Spindle Nut Attachment System, February 2, 2023, page 1.
• Dexter Product Bulletin 383, Spindle Nut Retention System, June 17, 2016, page 1 (006-191-00 spindle jam nut caution).
• Lippert Master Owner's Manual, Axles and Suspensions, 2K-7K section (CCD-0001412): page 6 (Hub Removal, cotter pin), page 10 (Recommended Wheel Bearing Grease Specifications), page 13 (Spindle Nut Adjustment), page 23 (Wheel Torque Requirement Chart).
• Trailer Axle Terminology, page 4 (Spindle).
• Dexter Product Bulletin 523, Dexter Multipurpose #2 Lithium Grease 1 Lb. Tub, January 7, 2026, page 1.
• Dexter Product Bulletin 479, 5,200 lbs. Hub and Hub-Drum Obsolescence - Axle Production, May 8, 2023, page 1.
• Dexter Product Bulletin 458, Aftermarket Nev-R-Lube Bearing Cartridges, May 25, 2022, page 1.
• Dexter Product Bulletin 409, Wheel Attachment and Torque Requirements, October 14, 2019, page 2.