You do not need to grease your trailer hitch ball. That is entirely up to you. However, greasing it is recommended. Greasing will help ensure that the trailer hitch ball keeps its structural integrity, and it will help prevent it from squeaking.
You don't “have” to grease your hitch ball before use to make it work right. However, it is recommended for proper maintenance and care. You should plan for a trailer hitch care day at least twice a year to be sure your hitch ball lasts as long as possible.
A general rule of thumb is to grease your hitch two to three times a year. Most RV owners/operators reapply dry lubricants every spring and fall or before a long towing trip. (You don't have to grease hitch balls every time you tow).
If you want to maintain your hitch ball and prevent rust and corrosion, then yes, you should grease it. But you don't have to do it. It's totally up to you. Just be prepared to endure the loud squeakiness accompanying a rusty hitch if you don't grease it.
We recommend using a grease gun and adding 3-4 pumps of grease in the ball joint and 1 pump in greaseable bushings, every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. If you drive through creaks and in mud pits, we would recommend greasing the ball joint after you are done playing in the mud and water.
If your bearings are not kept well-greased the increased friction will eventually cause your wheel to seize. If this happens while you are hauling, it will not only leave you stranded roadside, but it will also cost you a lot of money in trailer repairs.
Remove the bearing protector cap. 2. Check the grease level by pressing on the edge of the spring-loaded piston. If you can move or rock the piston, the hub has enough grease.
Overgreasing by applying too much grease to a bearing at one time can result in a seal failure and generate heat in the bearing housing. When too much grease is pumped into a bearing cavity, it eventually will become full. If there is no relief port on the housing, the grease will blow through the seals.
Ball joints allow you to steer smoothly and are constantly moving so throwing a little lubrication their way is a small favor for the big job that they do every day. The rule of thumb is to grease these parts every, or every other, oil change which might seem excessive, but again; little thanks, big job.
Bearing lubrication is vital for preserving the performance and lifespan of rolling element bearings. Lubrication helps separate moving parts relative to one another, such as rollers and raceways or balls, to prevent wear and tear and friction.
Grease: Proper lubrication is essential to the proper function and reliability of your trailer axle. Bearings should be lubricated every 12 months or 12,000 miles.
Depending on how frequently you use your trailer, you may need to grease your axles more than once per year to keep them spinning easily and freely.
Helpful Expert Reply: Not all trailer axles have the EZ lube zerk fitting so what you have is totally normal. You can use a Bearing Buddy like you mentioned but we have found is that the Bearing Buddies make it too easy to add too much grease which then blows out the grease seal.
LMX Red Grease
A heavy-duty, premium grease rated for just about every application, including marine trailer-wheel bearings.
Yes they can be over greased.
Yes, there should be a washer of some type between the spindle nut and the bearing on your trailer. The washer protects the back side of the bearing from the edges and points on the back side of the spindle nut. There are several types of spindle washers available depending on the spindle configuration on your trailer.
Without grease the ball wears allowing excess movement of the joint and eventual failure, which can be serious as most of these are part of the vehicles steering system.
Oils are the preferred lubricant in open bearing designs or when low torque or high speeds are the priority during bearing operation. “This is due to the relatively lower viscosities as compared to greases. Oil lubrication allows for more efficient movement of the ball through the lubricant, as compared to greases.”
You did know that you must grease the ball up before you tow, right? (Any kind of grease is fine, bearing grease, silicone lube, Vaseline etc.)