Greasing Dexter EZ flex suspension.

[Ralph Mawyer]

Pretty neat the way your drill holds up the trailer. 

[John E Davies]

T-Oliver, how do you like the big disk brakes? Touchy at all? Thanks.

John Davies

Spokane WA

[John E Davies]

1 hour ago, Ralph Mawyer said:

Pretty neat the way your drill holds up the trailer. 

I thought that looked interesting, but if one (or both) axle shackle snaps over center, as mine do too often, it could bust the impact tool.

John Davies

Spokane WA

[T-Oliver]

There’s the impact wrench, also

[Ralph Mawyer]

So what spec grease is recommended. Didn’t see it in manual or on these threads.  Mobil 1?  wt?

[rideandfly]

4 hours ago, Ralph Mawyer said:

So what spec grease is recommended. Didn’t see it in manual or on these threads.  Mobil 1?  wt?

This is Dexter's recommendation:

Lithium complex grease, NLGI No. 2 such as Mobil Oil Company Mobilgrease HP or equivalent.

It's easy to find an equivalent.

 

[John E Davies]

Ralph, you can use any old decent quality lithium based chassis (general purpose) grease, but none of them are what you would call great products. I much prefer Redline CV2, it is FAR superior. You do need to flush out as much of the old black gunk as possible, I don't think there are any problems mixing them, but it is always smart to do that when changing lubrication chemistries. And write down the grease name and type on the frame where you or the next guy will see it, as a reminder. One thing I like is that the oil doesn't separate from the carrier nearly as much, so the suspension stays looking nice a little longer. A petroleum based grease seeps oil constantly, especially in hot temperatures, and that makes a huge mess over time, and I suspect that it is not good for the rubber Ezy Flex equalizer "bumpers".

Red Line CV2

You are driving a Lexus, would you put crap grease in your truck?.... Me neither.

John Davies

Spokane WA

[Jim_Oker]

11 hours ago, John E Davies said:

You do need to flush out as much of the old black gunk as possible,

How do you do that? Just by pushing enough of the new grease in?

[ScubaRx]

28 minutes ago, Jim_Oker said:

How do you do that? Just by pushing enough of the new grease in?

That is by far the simplest way to do it. Messy, but only needed the first time. 

[Wayfinder]

 I had ordered a grease gun and grease, but did not verify that I even had grease gun points.  I was able to cancel order in time, mostly.

I do not have any easy to grease points on the 2016 axles.  How do those points get greased?  Manually take apart?  Nope, I cannot do that.  I do not have the tools.  Maybe a break/tire shop, I guess.

 

Thanks,

Chris

[mossemi]

The greasing discussion pertains to the Dexter E-Z Flex suspension upgrade. 
Did you look at suspension connections from the inside as well as the outside?

Mossey

[Wayfinder]

9 hours ago, mossemi said:

The greasing discussion pertains to the Dexter E-Z Flex suspension upgrade. 
Did you look at suspension connections from the inside as well as the outside?

Mossey

Hey Mossey, Yup, I felt around everywhere.  Looks like a simple suspension system.  Drat.

I can take some pics if needed.  Or, maybe I should start a new thread.  For the poor folk with low-end suspensions.  LOL

[topgun2]

The original suspensions on the 2016's is good for 12 to 15 thousand miles.  At that point, the "plastic" bushings are shot and there was no way to get any meaningful lubrication into these areas.  If you do not tow much this is not the end of the world as we know it (i.e.  the suspension will not simply fall apart).  However, all of the parts down there will continue to wear (at an accelerated rate) until a bolt or shackle or spring breaks.  And, with the suspension getting "sloppier" by the mile, the ride of anything above it will become not so good.  This is the same basic suspension on many other RV 's(with the notable exception of Olivers do have shocks on all four corners) but Oliver upgraded in 2017 to a suspension that could be lubricated.  Many of us upgraded our older Olivers when these plastic things wore out.  Using the "search function" here on the Forum you should be able to find a number of posts on this subject and on how to do the upgrade.

Bill

[Mike and Carol]

Like Bill, I upgraded my trailer to the Dexter after about 18 months.  The old bushings were totally worn out.  It’s something to check if you are buying an older used trailer.  The Dexter is easy to spot.  Mike