Bearing Buddies...

[Surfmonkey]

Those of you with trailers (yak and/or boat) what is your opinion regarding bearing buddies?
I have them on my boat trailer and they have alway slung grease on rim and tires.....

Pros and Cons.....:spin:

[swamppro]

Pros if used correctly they keep some extra grease in the hub and you can give them a squirt every now and then. Cons people seem to think they need to pump them up everytime they go out and blow out the rear seal on the hub. You are supposed to pump them up until you see the spring move and thats it. I have them on my trailer and like them

[Psycho Joe]

i have them on my boat trailer as well. I did not always have them, so I can honestly say they have made a big difference.

[swamppro]

The ones to stay away from are the oil bath hubs. Oil is a great lubricant don't get me wrong. What happens when you blow a seal on your hub when you have regular grease? Most of the time you never notice until you get some grease on the back of the rim or undersize of the boat. 99% of the time no damage is done to bearings or spindle as you can tow it for a long time as grease is sticky and stays in the hub. Opposite with oil bath, the oil just runs out and within miles you fry your bearings and they seize to your spindle, then you are replacing axle and hubs, not cheap at all. Also, how many boats do you see going down the road without bearing buddies or anything on them? With our smooth LA roads they get knocked loose or a curb takes them out. With the oil bath you knock that plastic cup off the front you are in deep doodoo. Stick with the bearing buddies, grease them correctly and you are good to go.

While we are on this subject check your bearings. Jack up one side and grab the tire and see if there is any play. You should not feel any at all. If there is some its time to break it down and inspect the bearings. Clean the bearings and look for water marks. If there are any black marks on the bearings at all, toss them! I do alot of bearing jobs in the spring and you would be amazed at some how bad they are that people do not notice. Also, if the bearings have marks the races need to be punched out as well

[Branch_Office]

Those of you with trailers (yak and/or boat) what is your opinion regarding bearing buddies?
I have them on my boat trailer and they have alway slung grease on rim and tires.....

Pros and Cons.....:spin:

Buddy Bearings is the way to go but also add the "bra" which is a rubber cap made in different sizes to cover your buddy bearing. It keeps the grease from "slinging out" on your boat and trailer. They simply slide on and off and I have never had a problem with using them or loss of one. They are cheap too but just like any BRA you need to make sure you get the right size...In this case too big is not any good (lol). Good ahead .. I know there is some humor in there that some of you just can not resist!!!