Bearing buddies and repacking grease

[AllenW]

Usually every two years, between regreasing I'll add a bit of grease if needed, seems as the grease is forced into the brearing and hub you can add to keep the moveable plate about mid ways.

Al

[Jimmy Jig]

I took mine off and use steel hub caps..Pack the bearings and forget the 2 lbs of grease between the bearings. I do this every year or two with new seals.......Hub caps never come off.........

[REW]

I have been going on about every 7 years. As long as the seals stay intact and the bearings remain without water and well greased, no reason to take them apart.

Take care
REW

[ohiojmj]

REW, how do you know there is no water inside if you don't take apart to inspect? How do you confirm an intact rear seal? One obscure chunk missing and your (bearing is) hosed.

[goldman]

Usually when that rear seal is bad, you'll have grease on the back side of your wheel. At least thats been my experience.

[perchjerker]

Originally Posted by goldman

Usually when that rear seal is bad, you'll have grease on the back side of your wheel. At least thats been my experience.

the seal can go bad long before that and allow water in before you see grease coming out, since water is thinner than grease

as far as waiting 7 years before inspecting, I am sorry but thats just plain crazy and inviting trouble

I inspect and repack every fall during the layup process. Its such a simple procedure and can avoid breakdowns on the road, why not do it???

[Drummer Boy]

I just pop the cap of in the fall and check for water if there isn't any water know need to go farther.Every three years I replace every thing.

[perchjerker]

Originally Posted by Drummer Boy

I just pop the cap of in the fall and check for water if there isn't any water know need to go farther.Every three years I replace every thing.

How do you check the inner bearing?

If the grease seal is leaking its going to show up there first.

[Waxy]

Originally Posted by perchjerker

How do you check the inner bearing?

If the grease seal is leaking its going to show up there first.

Agreed.

I'm not a fan of bearing buddies. People tend to jam too much grease in them, which causes the rear seal to blow when things heat up. That leads to expensive brake repairs and bearing failures.

IMHO, better to check and repack once a year, it's easy and cheap.

Waxy

[TomP.]

Originally Posted by perchjerker

the seal can go bad long before that and allow water in before you see grease coming out, since water is thinner than grease

as far as waiting 7 years before inspecting, I am sorry but thats just plain crazy and inviting trouble

I inspect and repack every fall during the layup process. Its such a simple procedure and can avoid breakdowns on the road, why not do it???

I am with REW on this one. The only time I pull my Bearing Buddies is when I notice having to grease the hub way to often to keep the plunger half way out. If the plunger dosen`t hold pressure I no there is a leak somewhere.