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In a related question, Tools and supplies for roadside trailer bearing repair, @Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 said:

Something to think about is to worry about preventive maintenance more than worrying about having a breakdown on the road. If I were you, I'd put zerk caps on the hubs so you can push new grease into the hubs very easily.

The number one killer of the bearings on these is because of water ingress. If you check the seals and keep it greased regularly, it becomes a non-issue and breakdowns due to the hubs will become non-existent. One of the issues is, if you suffer a hub breakdown, you'll do more damage before you notice it than what you can repair on the side of the road (most likely).

Wheel: 5.70-8 4-bolt

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Question:

What is involved in installing zerk caps on boat trailer bearings, and what tools and supplies are required?

I'm going in green; I don't have any experience with bearings/grease/trailer mechanics.

User1974
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If you have the tools, you can just install the zerks into the old caps by drilling small holes (holes just a bit smaller than the zerk's threads) and force threading the zerk into the caps. The zerk will create its own thread by deforming the hole in the cap. Then, just grease it from the outside as needed. Once the zerk is installed, it will take a bit of grease to fill the void, but the bearings and all will be completely coated in grease which will prevent most water ingress due to submersion.

To do this job, all you need is a drill and a bit the right size, along with the zerk, of course. You don't want to drill the holes while the caps are on the trailer, so you'd need a pair of channel lock pliers to pull the cap off. Take the caps off to do the job because you don't want to get metal into where your bearings are at. Don't over tighten the zerks, because you'll pull the zerk right out of the cap.

Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
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