Help with trailer with bearing buddies

[ThomasL]

As i was taking my fender boards off to replace with new boards and carpet i decided to look behind my bearing bras,well one side looked fine but then i checked the other side.I pulled the bra off and you see that blue band showing,in the center is a meatl cap that covers the grease fitting,well the previous owner had taken it looked like a screwdriver to pry off that little silver cap and gouged a spot out of the outer part of the bearing buddy.Will it hurt anything at this point or should i replace the buddies and how? :-[ :-/

[SkeeterZX225]

Don't worry about it. As long as you're not slinging grease out around the front of the wheel, which would mean the seals in the front of the bearing buddy are probably shot, I wouldn't bother.

However if you want to change it, its simple. Take a hammer and hit the old bearing buddy on each side back and forth until it comes out. Then take the new bearing buddy and (I always use a little bearing sealant by Locktite) and line it up. Gently tap it to get it started and then lay a piece of 2x4 or something over the front of the bearing buddy and hit it really hard. The wood keeps from messing the bearing buddy up and also distributes the force equally to drive the bearing buddy in straight.

[fishfordollars]

If you really want to solve the issue take the bearing buddies off, throw in the trash, and replace with the .50 original dust covers. Bearing buddies are the cause of untold bearing loss on trailers.

[SkeeterZX225]

I'd have to respectfully disagree with the above statement. I've been pulling boat trailers for the last 10 years with bearing buddies and I've never lost a bearing.

[ThomasL]

So you are saying that the chrome part is the bearing buddy,don't see a brake between it and the black part.Can i take a pair of channellocks and work it back and forth to remove it,i can't mess anything up can i and are they all pretty standard size?

[SkeeterZX225]

Yes, the chrome is the bearing buddy, it drives up into the hub on the axle. You could probably take a pair of channel locks but it will mess up the outside of the bearing buddy. Just use a hammer and hit it on each side back and forth, you won't have to hit it very hard, plus you can put it in your truck/boat to have as a spare if you ever lose one or something. There is several different sizes, best to take the old one with you to get it matched up.

[burleytog]

If you really want to solve the issue take the bearing buddies off, throw in the trash, and replace with the .50 original dust covers. Bearing buddies are the cause of untold bearing loss on trailers.

Amen.  That or replace the axle with a Dexter EZ-Lube.

Bearing Buddies... ;D  If I had buddies like that, I sure don't need enemies.

[fishfordollars]

I'd have to respectfully disagree with the above statement. I've been pulling boat trailers for the last 10 years with bearing buddies and I've never lost a bearing.

The dealers in this area state that there is nothing wrong with the bearing buddies, it's the owner. They pump too much grease in them, causing rear seal failure. We have two in the shop now for repair with the same problem. More is not better in this case.

[Crowcommander]

Just wondering what grease you guys use? I was thinking about the stuff with Teflon but its a little pricey.

[SkeeterZX225]

I'd have to respectfully disagree with the above statement. I've been pulling boat trailers for the last 10 years with bearing buddies and I've never lost a bearing.

The dealers in this area state that there is nothing wrong with the bearing buddies, it's the owner. They pump too much grease in them, causing rear seal failure. We have two in the shop now for repair with the same problem. More is not better in this case.

I will agree with you on that. Seems some people think you need to add grease before every trip. I'm luck if I pump grease into mine once every 3-4 months and then its only a pump or two at the most. A little preventitive maintenance and common sense goes along way!!

[fishfordollars]

I'd have to respectfully disagree with the above statement. I've been pulling boat trailers for the last 10 years with bearing buddies and I've never lost a bearing.

The dealers in this area state that there is nothing wrong with the bearing buddies, it's the owner. They pump too much grease in them, causing rear seal failure. We have two in the shop now for repair with the same problem. More is not better in this case.

I will agree with you on that. Seems some people think you need to add grease before every trip. I'm luck if I pump grease into mine once every 3-4 months and then its only a pump or two at the most. A little preventitive maintenance and common sense goes along way!!

That is exactly why you have not had any bearing failure. A little sense goes a long way.

[ThomasL]

Update on bearing buddies.I had some time this evening and got a block of wood and a small sledge hammer,placed the wood on the buddy and hit it several times and can not see that it has moved it one bit.Should i just take the hammer and knock the shi! out of it and be done with it...

[BigBassGuy]

Just take the hammer and tap it back and forth, it should start walking its way out. If it doesn't move increase force until it does. You don't want to "knock the $hit out of it" because you could damage the seat where the bearing buddy sits making more work for yourself.