Trailer Bearing Question

[Kmayotte]

I rarely use my trailer (I live 1/4 mile from the ramp and leave me boat in the lake all season). Taking a trip up to VT this weekend though.

I wanted to grease my hubs before I went. I apparently don't have standard bearing buddies as I thought. What do I have and how do I grease them, if I have to?

[h2ohangtime]

Does the cap come off? It looks like there's a little nub on the top (per the picture) that would allow you to pull it off. The zerk fitting should be under there.

[Kmayotte]

The cap doesn't come off, I tried to pry it out with a flat head but it pulled out a little and it didn't want to come. I believe the nub your looking at is a water droplet (raining). The inner stainless ring (in between the black & outer casing) moves as if it's spring loaded, in when I push on it and then it pops back out.

[wake_fun]

You probably have to knock off that whole stainless hub from the rusted hub. That's how bearing buddies are installed, they are pressed into the front of a regular hub where the metal dust cover use to be. Try tapping down and around it and see if it starts to come loose.
Here is a picture from their site and they also tell you how to remove them on that site: http://www.bearingbuddy.com/why.html

[IMPACT-EV1]

jack it up and pull off the wheel on some hubs the zirk is located in between the bearings and not in the the dust cover of the hub like a bearing buddy. You can not get to it with the wheel on pull the wheel spin the hub and you should see it.

If there isn't one then you have to pull the dust cover off (the steel piece that is pressed into the hub). They make special pliers to remove them but all you really need is a large set of channel locks, don't squeez the cover too tight and crush it but line the jaws of the pliers up in line vertically with the centerline of the hub and rock it up and down as you are pulling back on it and it should slide right off. Install it using a rubber mallet, hit it untill the lip at the base of the dust cover is seated against the hub.

[Kmayotte]

got my answer from Boatmate...

"That is equipped with the oil bath system (not grease). Please refer to the attached PDF for Trailer Buddy GOLD for service instructions.

In addition to changing the oil in the hubs, I also recommend flushing the brake system with fresh DOT3 brake fluid. See pages 24 and 25 of the A-60 actuator owner’s manual.

If you perform those 2 maintenance items every other year, the trailer should provide a long and trouble-free life."

He emailed me PDF's for brakes, hubs and the full trailer assembly/maintenance. There's a small drain/fill plug on the hub to change the oil, use 50 wt engine oil.

If you need them Email me at keithm@redbrickclothing.com and I send them to you.

[wake_fun]

Glad you found out!

[Kmayotte]

Me too! Glad I didn't start taking stuff apart...

Thanks for everyone's help. This site is the best!

[georges]

Trailer Bearing Question

For the bearings with oil as lubricant, there appears to be some cases of seal failures, allowing water to enter. Be sure and keep an eye on the hubs, watching for a milky appearance. Bearing failure may result. Some folks are changing back to zerk fittings with grease. With minimal trailering, this may not be a problem.

[AirTool]

got my answer from Boatmate...

First thing...email them back and get the inner seal, bearing, and race numbers. Then go directly to the best auto supply store you have and check their availability and cost. If they don't stock them (and likely other stores won't either), you should order a set or two and take them with you. If they are common numbers and you think any given failure may be close to a store during regular business hours (unlikely) then you can take your chances...but at least you'll have the numbers.

Even if you don't have the capability and/or tools to fix a failure, if you have the parts....you'll just need to find a mechanic.

You should also ask (or maybe it is on the PDF they sent you) about the outer seal or o-ring. It may be proprietary or unusual. Have them send you anything you'll need that you can't get from the store. I got a dozen o-rings from Kodiak for less than the UPS fee to ship it. When I make a long trip, I take a tool kit that has the inner seal, bearing sets, outer o-ring and screw cap. I HATE packing bearings on the side of the road, but it might not be my decision.