QA

How To Repack Trailer Wheel Bearings With Bearing Buddies

Do you still need to repack bearings with bearing buddies?

Expert Reply: When you use the Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors like # BB2441, so you do not need to take apart the wheel hub and repack the bearings. As you maintain the grease in the Bearing Buddy, it continues to fill the bore, so your bearings and spindle stay properly lubricated for proper function.

How do you know when a Bearing Buddy is full?

The air pockets inside the hub cavity and Bearing Buddy® will work their way out past the piston (or blue ring) on the Bearing Buddy®. You should see the piston extend out or the blue ring past the front of the Bearing Buddy® when it’s properly filled.

Does a Bearing Buddy grease inner bearing?

Expert Reply: Bearing Buddy pumps grease into the center of the hub all the way back to the grease seal. It would then fill the cavity inside the hub and continue to the inner bearing.

How often should I grease my Bearing Buddies?

Every 3,000 to 3500 miles or annually, whichever comes first. Manufacturers recommend to remove old contaminated grease from the hub and repack with new grease instead of just adding more.

Are Bearing Buddies a good idea?

Bearing Buddies are a great way to keep grease in a trailer hub. I recommend them as long as you are aware that it’s very easy to put too much grease in a hub with these which will blow out the seal. They have no problem being used on longer road trips so the would work well for you.

How do I know if my trailer bearings need grease?

Keep your hand on the wheel and spin it. If you feel any motion that is not smooth, hear any noises, or if the wheel does not spin freely, the wheel bearing is defective or needs lubrication.

Can you over grease trailer bearings?

There’s no such thing as too much grease for bearings! You would not pack grease in the hub otherwise and not in the drum since the brakes would not be able to grab with grease in the hub. Grease caps, dust caps, and bearing protectors have to be installed right to avoid losing them.

Can you over grease trailer wheel bearings?

They keep grease packed into the hub. munchy wrote: More grease is never the right answer. Overgreasing can actually cause the rollers/balls to slide over the bearing surface rather than roll over them.

How often should trailer bearings be repacked?

How often should you repack your trailer bearings? The axle manufacturers recommend that you repack your trailer bearings once annually or every 12,000 km. If you are over-do for trailer wheel bearing maintenance, we would be happy to help you.

What is the purpose of bearing buddies?

Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors provide protection against damage from water and dirt entering the wheel bearings and make lubricating bearings a snap.

How do you put grease on trailer bearings?

Tips for Hand-Packing Grease into Bearings Place grease into the palm of your hand. Press a section of the widest end of the bearing into the outer edge of the grease closest to your thumb, forcing the grease into the interior of the bearing. Repeat the process while rotating the bearing from roller to roller.

How much does it cost to repack trailer bearings?

Trailers tend to be cheaper to repack professionally (think $100-$200), but don’t underestimate the power of the upsells a mechanic might try to give you. If you’re serious about cash, you can likely save a few bucks by repacking your bearings yourself.

How often should boat trailer bearings be repacked?

Many trailer manufacturers recommend this maintenance every year if your trailer gets normal use, or at least every 20,000 miles.

Can you mix Marine grease with regular grease?

Don’t Mix Grease, but Change If Needed If you can, start with completely clean parts and new grease. Otherwise, greasing more often will flush out the old incompatible grease faster.

Do bearing buddies work on boat trailers?

Bearing buddies are really designed for boat trailers, since they go thru the thermal expansion/ contraction cycles much quicker then other trailers.

Should I use anti seize on wheel bearings?

There is a product literally called “anti seize” that you can find at any store: It works. You should use it. You can use it on the wheel hub where the rim makes contact to the hub to prevent the wheel from sticking to the hub and requiring a sledge hammer to remove it.

How do you measure Bearing Buddies?

What is a Bearing Buddy® Bra? Remove the dust cap and measure it’s outside diameter. Measure the inside diameter of the HUB. We recommend using a caliper or a micrometer to get a precise measurement. Using our Size Gauge Card: The card can be used to select a Bearing Buddy® model based on the size of your dust cap.

Should I fill my trailer hub with grease?

1 and 2), pump a ring of grease into the entire circumference of the wheel hub and coat the hub cap inner wall. The housing should only be half full of grease. Too much grease causes churning and higher temperatures. Semi-fluid grease must be used with a vented hub cap.

How do you know when to replace trailer bearings?

Jack up the trailer and secure it on adequate capacity jack stands. Check wheels for side-to-side looseness – There should be a very slight amount of play in the wheel, typically 1/8-inch or less. If the wheels are loose or spin with a wobble, the bearings must be serviced or replaced.