Bearing Buddy problems

[106gunner]

The cap for the Bearing Buddy on one side of my single axle EZLoader trailer keeps coming off. I've lost three caps in the last two years. I also have problems with grease oozing out and dripping down onto the wheel and tire when parked in storage.

I have this distinct feeling that all is not right. I'm taking the boat down to Cathlamet Monday morning (8/31/09) for four days on the CR. I live in the Tacoma WA area. I'm not real mechanically inclined. Need ideas to troubleshoot the problem before it's too late. Thanks!!

[Beachbum]

They have a website with frequently asked questions that might be of some help.

[Bloom]

I recall reading somewhere about drilling through from the side and securing it with a sheet metal screw.

[Dan Feller]

It sounds like your hub is slightly deformed. You can get a new hub complete with bearings for $30-$40 (mine cost $32.95 at Jerry's RV Service in Bend). Since Bearing Buddies are about $25 a pair, it would be a pretty good investment. Plus, you can clean up the old one and keep it as an emergency backup.

[Mooch]

The easiest way to cure that is to pull the Bearing buddies off the axle and throw them in the garbage.

Yearly repacking of the bearings and a dust cap is a better option than the BBs.

[sucker]

I am thinking you may have a bearing that is getting hot; If the bearing gets hot it will create pressure and push the cap off. I try to make it a habit to put my hand on both hubs any time I stop. If one is warmer than the other it needs to be checked out.

[Ironhead]

If you are losing your bearing buddies it could be that there is no room for expansion. Don`t fill your bearing buddy all the way out . Only come out about half way on the disc. Make sure that there is play in the disc and room on the spring for movement . When you repack and replace the seals . Get a double lip seal and try to locate it in a place that the old seal has not wore on . Be careful when installing a seal as they are easy to damage . Using a socket of appropate size will help. I will buy only Timkin bearings . You get what you pay for . I never worry about bearings as my boat trailer has`nt been repacked in 10 years . When I start seeing grease on my inside tire and rim it`s time to change the seal. The Bearing buddy will also compensate when the trailer is submerged into water by adjusting to the rapid cooling. Remember the spring being able to move both ways. If the bearing preload is set right the spindle and hub should only be warm. Another thing if the bearings are over packed it could also cause the them to heat up.

[jimh]

I used to push the cover in so it was slightly depressed which seemed to help.

[Adrenaline Junkey]

I recently had the same problem on a snowmobile trailer. took a wire brush to the hub and found a small crack about 3/4 of an inch. It only spread when the buddy was in and you couldnt hardly see it. Might be time for a new hub :shrug: