I agree that air inside the hub will always be a problem, but isn't the idea behind BBs to keep water and air out? Thanks. The BB ad says: ".prevents wheel bearing failure on boat, ATV, snowmobile, horse, RV and utility trailers eliminates bearing repacking keeps water and dirt out of hubs and bearings grease level easily checked stainless steel components proven in use for over 35 years and billions of miles of service easy to install."įurther on, they say, "When properly installed and maintained, Bearing Buddy? prevents wheel bearing failure and eliminates bearing repacking."īased on many of the comments in just this thread alone (and there are other threads on this same topic), it would appear the product works to not only keep water out when the trailer in backed down the ramp, but it also works to eliminate the need to repack bearings. Ultimately, you process all the information and do what you think is correct.īond-o, I've always been a big fan of yours because you've disseminated lots of good info over the years, but I'm perplexed by your statement above. All I can say is "Well, maybe I am just exceptionally lucky, because in 45 yrears of trailering I only needed to change one set of bearings and even then, they got me home without failing." They will also probably say that they will laugh as they pass me broken down on the road. Now mind you, there will probably be about 100 replies indicating how stupid and risky my actions are. No grease spatter-good seals-Why bother re-packing the bearings? 999 (2.50/Item) FREE delivery Sun, Apr 30 on 25 of items shipped by Amazon. On a boat trailer, if the seals fail, you will see grease spatter on the back of the hub, inside the wheel, and inside the fender, indicating a need to check the bearings and replace the seals. Bearing Buddy Covers, Boat Trailer Bearing Buddies caps for Cleaning hub Trailer axle, 1.98 Inch Rubber Dust Cover Replacement for 1980 Model Number Bearing Partner Bra for Waverunner Trailer Wheels. Even then, the seals are not replaced unless they show obvious signs of failure. The only time they are ever re-packed is if the hub itself needs to be removed for inspection, exposing the bearing. Think about this: Your auto has wheel bearings and seals that are greased for life. So I would say they do work for me.Īs far as I am concerned, unless there is a definite need, re-packing bearings is a waste of time. Bearing buddies keep a constant positive pressure on the inside of the hub, reducing the chance of water intrusion.ĭo they work? My current trailer(s) have had them for anywhere from 5 to 10 years and I have NEVER changed the grease, re-packed bearings, or changed seals. This can (not will) cause water to be sucked in. Then, you dunk them in colder water cooling the hub immediately and creating a negative pressure inside the hub. Bearing failure would occur within a few miles.The fact is that bearings heat up whille the boat is being towed. This would not be possible with an oil bath. If a Bearing Buddy® is knocked off, it would still be possible to run for many miles without bearing failure. Too much or too little oil could cause problems. Most oil bath hubs are only half filled with oil and must be carefully inspected to maintain the proper level. Small leaks can cause the oil to escape and once this happens, bearing failure is quick and complete within a few miles. By comparison, oil bath hubs should be checked after every loading/unloading cycle to make sure water has not penetrated and diluted the oil. When properly maintained, there are no voids inside the hub where condensation can form during winter storage. The internal spring piston exerts about 3 PSI against the grease to ensure that no water enters the hub when the hub is submerged during loading and unloading. Standard bearing protectors, such as Bearing Buddy®, make it easy to visually check the amount of grease inside grease packed hubs. This vacuum will draw any condensation, moisture, or impurities directly into the bearings, which can cause premature bearing failure. The hubs on a trailer can heat up during long trips and when they are dipped into cool lake water, the sudden temperature change creates a vacuum inside the hub. Boat trailers, however, operate in a completely different environment. Adding grease moves the Bearing Buddy spring-loaded piston outward 1/8'. To adjust the amount of grease in the hub, use a grease gun to add more through the appropriate fitting. What they fail to recognize is that America's highways are the perfect environment and application, as the constant miles and tire rotation keeps the bearings well lubricated. Replace your existing grease cap with a Bearing Buddy to ensure a safe, easy way to monitor and control the level of grease in your axle hub. They claim that since long haul trucks use this system it must be a superior system to a grease packed hub. Some trailer manufacturers are offering an oil bath system as an alternative to a standard bearing protector, such as Bearing Buddy®.
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