Trailer Bearing Grease

[seaeagle]

How many of you guys grease your own wheel bearings , and do you have bearing buddies

[Shoulders]

Yep, I do my own. No don't have buddies. Not that they are no good I just like to see that the bearings are in good nick. Out of sight out of mind!!!
Also it is easy to over do it with the grease, too much will push past the seals and let the water in. Always do them before the weather warms up (August,Sept boat has been sitting for a while) or prior to departing on a long trip. If you do your own it is a good idea to change the seals even if not changing the bearings, as you will more than likely damage them when taking them out. Have found that as long as front caps and rear seals are good I have very few problems. :)


Cheers..........Shoulders.

[Dekka]

I do have bearing buddies;but as yet have not greased my own bearings. 'On-site' is only just over 12 months old, therefore each time it has been in for a service I've asked them to check the bearings.

Lucky I did as last time (just prior to going to Cape Jaffa, SA) 2 were shot and had to be replaced. That's a story in itself for another day.

Generally check all hubs every time I stop on the road just in case.

[TedR]

Yes I do my own.

Like Des, I have them checked during service, but I give the a little extra sguirt from time to time, and definately before a long trip.

[grant]

Have bearing buddies.

Last service on my trailer saw that there no break pads left, bearings were shot on three wheels (its a tandem)

it was terrible and expensive!

g./

[Steve-G]

Bearing buddies for me, but I still check them every couple of months.

[seaeagle]

what holds the bearing buddies in place, i know the cap just fits on, but the BB look like they would spin off too easy because of how far they stick out.

[grant]

they are jammed in pretty tight.

g./

[Steve-G]

They actually have as much jammed in as a normal bearing cap has, they are not known for coming loose.

[ozdevil]

here is a a bit of thought that may save everyone a bit of time in future with bearings on the trailers and that is to actually to use oil hub instead of grease..

I am about to change from bearing buddies to oil hub setup for my trailer...

the thing is if you look at trucks on the road and they do many more klms then most people do and they use oil hubs in stead of grease as it cost more to use grease also they are frequently changing bearings if using grease and they get longer wear out of an oil hubs...

for 99 bucks you can get a durahub system from supercheap which will come with everything you need to replace the bearing buddies

the durahub still looks as if you have a bearing buddies but there is a bit of difference is that you have a viewing window to check level of oil, or if it has gone milky or what ever...

cheers
OZ

[grant]

Lets us know how it goes.

g./

[seaeagle]

i had that set up on my truck when i was driving, didnt know you could get a trailer set up.

[hillbilly]

Now if I only had a boat I would use this advice.
with a bit of luck someone will buy my car and I will no longer be boatless.
PLEASE , PLEASE SOMEONE BUY MY CAR, only $2,000 and its all yours.
Karren :wink:

[seaeagle]

i have the opposite with the boat karren, i decided to keep it and get it fixed, but in the meen time had my knee done and cant afford $200 to get the boat finished. have had it advertised but untill its completly on the water no one wants it :cry:

[hillbilly]

Hi seaeagle, If I had the cash I would consider your boat as I enjoy working on them, I f the car goes soon I will get back to you , if not I hope you get a buyer soon.
Karren :wink:

[meggsie]

It was interesting to see both Grant and Steve (apparently) haven't had any trouble with bearing buddies coming loose.
Over the last 3 years I have probably lost 4 or 5 somewhere on the road.
I just get to my destination, look down, and uh-oh! no bearing buddy!
I'm now trying the nylon type, so far so good.
Meggsie

[Steve-G]

That made me go and check,yep their still there. 8)

[hillbilly]

At he risk of sounding dumb, can you guys please explain what bearing buddys are and what they do ?

Ive changed bearings a few times but have not heard about bearing buddys till you guys mentioned them.
thanks
Karren :wink:

Of all the things ive ever lost its my mind I miss the most

[Smylea]

Maybe I'm backward but I grease mine through the bearing buddies, while I'm flushing the motor when I get back. This pushes any moisture out of the hub and the bearings are ready to go when I am. So far my current bearings are four years old and have been as far up the coast as Noosa and down to Eden. As well as a few trips into the fresh.
Cheers Ray

[grant]

to be fair, I have only made one long distance trip to Metung.

g./