Bearing Buddys

[elkman]

My boat trailer isn't factory installed with bearing buddys. Do they prevent me from repacking my bearings? Are they a good item to install on my axle? Thanks.

[Gary]

Get them, do not hesitate, do not doubt! I have them installed on my trailer, I give a shot of grease before each trip and after each launch. This way you are assured that water is being removed.

[Phil T.]

I may well be a minority of one, but someone's got to say they hate Bearing Buddies. The problem seems to be a rare one, they're too well made. They are stronger than the malleable cast hub they are pounded into, and they are heavy. If you drive rough roads, they will shake loose. The hole in your hun is now too large to securely hold a replacement Bearing Buddy. It's not only my problem, my local G&F office has complaineds about the same thing. By the way, the cheap, plastic imitations sold at auto supply stores, are not too well made, and seem to work better.

[Cbellin]

GOOD ONE!!!

[Pitts]

Get them and then when you install them use a locktight product to secure them because they do shake loose and turn up missing.
Also if you over grease them you will force grease out of the seal in the rear of the wheel and there will be a lot of grease streaks on the back of the wheel. The nice thing about buddies is the way the way they work is when you back you warm hubs into a cold lake they will expand and take up the room as your hubs create a vacuum from cooling, and water is not supposed to leak in.
I would guess from experience that you can go twice as long between repacks 2 years and when ready to repack they will remove with a hard knock to either side alternately to loosen.

Hope this helps

Pitts

[water_wolf]

I have had bearing buddies on every trailer I've ever owned. Never have experienced any problems with them but after Phil's post I will certainly pay more attn to them after traveling bumpy roads. I would however suggest you check them at least once a year. Seen to many trailers on side of road with bearing problems. Not the way to start or end a great day of fishing/vacation.

Rich Ferguson

[Hawgeye]

My Shorelandr has bearing buddies and my last one did too. They work well. The only problem that I have had is the grease tends to "spray" on the rim at times. I think it happens when they have a fresh squirt load. I sure like them better than the old packers!

Previously there was a post addressing "liquilube" or something like that. There was a website too. I went there and checked it out. It seemed to be a neat idea and I am interested in using them!

[elkman]

If we have to repack bearings every 1 to 2 years depending on the mileage put on our rigs then the Bearing Buddys only function is to help keep water out of the hubs. By greasing the old packers after a trip wouldn't that serve the same function? I do travel alot of bumby roads here in Montana so Bearing Buddys might not be for me. Getting ready to go fishing....!! Thanks.

[JKJ]

Your not the minority.... I hate them too. Had problems with every set. Only tire I ever lost had them. They fall off, they spray greese, I'll stop now.....

Have your regular old set re-packed each fall, and you'll never have a problem.

BTW, I average 7,000 to 10,000 miles a year.

[biglaker]

I have a different brand that was included on my trailer when I bought it. I've had no spraying or leaking problems at all. But, they are not a replacement for annually repacking your hubs.

[Mr T]

Elkman,
I've always had Bearing Buddies or something similar. I notice that if you don't overfill and if you keep the covers over the Bearing Buddies, I think they call these Bras,(a name I find easy to remember) they don't spalsh grease onto the wheel. By the way, I get my bearings repacked every year or two depending on how far I travel with my boat each summer (read that as how much fun I'm having). Bearings need to be inspected for pitting, rust, cracks ect. Repacking is the only way to really do that.

[Gone Again]

www.liqualube.com tells the whole story. Never pack bearings again and no mess-Tom

[GORD]

There are problems that the bearing buddies get blamed for, but it's not really their fault. Let me explain. 1. Spraying grease is caused by the bearing buddy being over filled with grease. Overfilling causes the spring to be pushed back too far. This causes extra pressure that pushes excessive amounts of grease through the bearing and out the other side. It sprays grease all over at highway speeds. If you read and follow the instructions, you won't be spraying grease. 2. It is true that bearing buddies come loose sometimes and fall off. But why? They come off because the wheel bearings are not tightened properly or installed incorrectly. A friend of mine who has owned a marine dealership for over 20 yrs. says he's never seen a B/B come off unless the wheel was a bit loose. The wobbling action caused by the wheel being slightly loose on the axle works the bearing buddy loose and it eventually falls off. Personaly I'd like to see the bearing buddies bolted or screwed on somehow. I'm not a big believer in press fits or push ons. As soon as they design better ones they will be on my trailer. Until then I'll run the bearing buddies as they are and keep a close eye on things. I jack the trailer wheel off the ground before and after every trip to check for ANY play that could cause problems.

[RB]

I do like the Buddy Bearings. Yes, I have had problems with them coming off. One thing I do. I use a center punch on the inside of the bearing buddy before putting it back in the hub. I tap in four places and since doing this have not had one come out.

[water_wolf]

My only reason for suggesting checking annually is because like any other product you can get a defective one and if water gets in there and you dont check...well maybe i'll be stopping to help you some day. Take care.

Rich ferguson