trailer bearings

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How often should I grease or lube the bearings on my boat trailer? I use it all year round but never in salt water.

And a follow up question. How much mechanical knowledge is required to install the buddy bearings (I think that's what they are called?)

Appreciate the input.

[Guest JoshKeller]

I repack my bearings every 6 months, but will pull off the dust covers before every trip and check the grease. I fish 1 - 3 times a week.

As for installing bearing buddies, it takes as much mechanical knowledge as repacking the bearings, putting grease in the hub then putting in the front bearing, putting the bolt and cotter pin back in, then tapping the bearing buddy to get it started, then tapping it the rest of the way in using the hammer. But be sure to put a small block of wood over it so it goes in evenly.

Do yourself a favor and get the ones with the blue gasket. Pump in a few squirts of grease, and the gasket will move out. Just put your finger on the edge and gently push - if it moves, its full, if not, add more.

[Way2slow]

If you're not running Bearing Buddies or similar lubers, you should clean, pack and replace seals every year, either when you winterize the boat in the fall or in the spring before you start using it.

As for installing bearing buddies, no more skill required than taking the bearing cap off and knocking them on. However, before installing them, you must disassemble the hubs, clean and inspect the bearings, replace any that show signs of pits and their cups, pack them with the same grease you plan to use in the grease gun to keep the lubed with, fill the hub completely with grease so it pushes grease out when you install the outer bearing. Then tap your Bearing Buddies on. I acutally prefer the Red Eyes but that's me. Be sure to pack the bearings and not just rub grease on the outside of them. For the next few trips to the lake, take your grease gun and add enough to make the indicator start to move out before launching the boat. As the air works out you will need to grease regularly for the first few times. After that usually give them and shot every couple of months.

After that, I know people that have been running the same bearings for years & years and never had them back apart. I still do mine every two or three years.

You should never mix greases, so it's best if you always use the same brand once you have the installed. Also, if the bearings are packed with a heavy bearing grease, it won't let the grease you use in the grease gun go through the outer bearing to get to the inner so your Bearing Buddies do nothing for you.