Trailer bearings and brakes: Dexter service figures
Identify the axle, bearing and brake design before servicing trailer wheel ends. A conventional tapered-bearing adjustment is different from a sealed Nev-R-Lube assembly, and manually adjusted brakes differ from self-adjusting designs. Use the applicable axle, trailer and wheel instructions together.
Dexter intervals: time and mileage both matter
Dexter’s 600–8,000-lb service manual specifies conventional bearing lubrication every 12 months or 12,000 miles. Its manual-adjust brake procedure gives an initial 200-mile adjustment and subsequent 3,000-mile intervals or as performance requires. Nev-R-Adjust brakes have a different adjustment arrangement.
Assume bearings were serviced at 10,000 miles on October 18, 2026. A12,000-mile interval would reach 22,000 miles, but the calendar point would arriveOctober 18, 2027. Use whichever applicable limit comes first and record the actual service.
Published magnet chart: use the right brake size
| Brake size | A per magnet | A for 2 /4 /6 | Ohms per magnet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 ×1¼ in | 2.5 | 5 /10 /15 | 3.9 |
| 10 ×1½ or 10 ×2¼ in | 3.0 | 6 /12 /18 | 3.2 |
| 12 ×2 in | 3.0 | 6 /12 /18 | 3.2 |
| 12¼ ×2½ or 12¼ ×3⅜ in | 3.0 | 6 /12 /18 | 3.2 |
Four specified 3-A magnets total 12 A under the chart’s test conditions. A reading of 6 A is a reason to investigate the circuit, supply, controller and individual magnets; it does not by itself identify two failed magnets. Use the complete test and reconnect/seal wiring as instructed.
Bearing nut settings are design-specific
For its cotter-pin grease/oil arrangement, Dexter describes approximately 50 ft-lb while rotating the hub as an initial seating step, then unloading torque, finger adjustment and pin alignment. Fifty ft-lb is not the final nut setting. E-Z Lube’s retainer procedure is separately specified.
The same manual gives 145–155 ft-lb for the specified Nev-R-Lube nut arrangement. Applying the conventional procedure to that design would be wrong. Follow the complete applicable assembly and inspection instructions; do not interchange nut procedures.
Wheel torque and brake condition need separate checks
Dexter calls for wheel-nut checks at 10,25 and 50 miles after the relevant installation. Its chart includes 100–120 ft-lb for listed 14–16-inch wheels with½-inch studs, and 140–170 ft-lb for specified 16/16.5-inch eight-lug wheels with 9/16-inch studs. Match the complete wheel, nut and stud configuration and the vehicle maker’s instructions.
The manual requires brake-lining replacement at 1/16 inch or less, and for contamination or abnormal damage. It specifies replacement balance across the axle and precautions for potentially asbestos-containing older linings. Do not dry-brush or use compressed air on brake dust.
Use the trailer’s prescribed lifting and support points; Dexter warns against lifting or supporting on its axle or suspension. Investigate unusual heat, noise, leakage or looseness before travel. Touching a hot hub is neither a safe temperature test nor a diagnosis.