Axles - Malibu Boats Wakesetter 20VTX 2019 Owner's Manual

Axles

The trailer is equipped with the VAULT bearing protector. The
VAULT uses only Hybrid Oil™ lubricant, which combines the benefits
of oil and grease. The VAULT protects the wheel bearings in a
sealed, pressurized chamber that is unaffected by outside elements.
For optimal performance, only UFP's Hybrid Oil Lubricant should be
used in this system.
The system has a number of unique features not found on
conventional trailer axles. Every possible leak point on the front
and rear of the hub is sealed. The slight pressure inside the hub
is needed to keep water out of the hub chamber when the hub is
submerged underwater during loading and unloading.
Inspection or replenishment of the lubricant is not required as
part of the routine maintenance.
Adding or changing the lubricant in the VAULT
system is neither necessary nor recommended
during the first five (5) years of service. After that
time, the maintenance requirements should be
undertaken only by an authorized Malibu dealer and
only the lubricant specified above should be used.
If the bearings need to be adjusted or replaced, the work should
be done only by an authorized Malibu dealer. Failure to contact
Malibu for pre-approval during the warranty period will void the
warranty.
The wheel bearings have been precisely torque-set at the
factory. To assure the bearings are in good working order, check the
bearing adjustment at least once a year by following this procedure:
Jack up on one side of the trailer. (Be certain to use jack stands
and chock the trailer wheels to keep the trailer from moving during
the inspection.) Grip the edge of the tire and see if it can be rocked
or moved. If the outer edge of the tire moves more than 1/8", the
bearings may need to be readjusted.
A slight amount of oil seepage at the rear seal is normal and
necessary to lubricate the wiper lip of the seal for long life and for
sealing contaminants out. If excessive leakage is occurring, however,
contact an authorized Malibu trailer dealer.
2019 Malibu Boats, LLC Owner's Manual • Page 151
https://www.boat-manuals.com/
Wheels and Hubs
Because the wheels and hubs will be submerged in water at times,
they require more attention than those found on a tow vehicle. Wheels
should be regularly washed with mild soap or detergent to retain the
finish and remove any corrosive elements. Never use harsh detergent or
scrub brushes that can damage the appearance. If your boat is stored in
an area that experiences snow, Malibu highly recommends periodically
checking and cleaning your wheels during the winter. Salt and chemical
treatments used to remove snow and ice from roads and parking lots can
settle on the wheels and cause damage to the finish. Such damage is not
covered under warranty.
Lug Nuts
Prior to each outing, check that the lug nuts have retained the
correct torque. It is critical to use the correctly sized wrench when
tightening or loosening lug nuts. The wrong size can cause the lug
nuts to become rounded off, which can make them impossible to
use. Never tow a trailer with a missing lug nut or lug nuts. Having
the complete number of lug nuts, properly torqued, is critical for both
long-term use of the product and for road safety. Even one fewer lug
nut can apply stress to the remaining lug nuts and the hub, which
could result in failure.
Do not replace lug nuts, even missing ones, with lug nuts other
than those available through an authorized Malibu dealer. The lug
nut seat angle must match the wheel seat angle. The assembly
uses a specified lug nut selected for the kind of use the trailer will
need. Even if the threads match, unapproved lug nuts may not hold
the wheel securely enough. Lug nuts on each wheel should always
match.
The torque applied when securing the lug nuts is also extremely
important. If it is under-tightened, a lug nut can work loose under