Bearing Buddies Brand

[Splash]

I want to install bearing buddies on my wheel bearings for my boat trailer.

Can you please recommend a good quality brand.

Also, I need a quality recommendation for bearing grease type/brand.

Splash

[Noelm]

not too sure how many brands there is, I have some on my trailer that just have a sticker "bearing buddy" so I guess that may be a brand? I also have another set that are unbranded and made out of plastic, both are about 6 years old and neither have given any trouble, don't know if that helped in anyway at all, but they are a simple concept and as such, cannot see too much to go wrong.

[Noelm]

I forgot the grease brand bit, I have two grease guns at home, one with wheel bearing grease, and one with Marine grease, I have always just used a "brand" name of grease for the wheels (Castrol) and only OMC Triple Guard for the Motor grease nipples and odds and ends.

[Roughasguts]

When you grease up your bearing buddies Splash, only pump enough grease to float the small plate behind the grease nipple.

It should just wobble! you will need to top them up again as the grease moves back along the hub and that plate settles down on it's stop, and the spring no longer puts positive grease pressure in to the hub. You will also need to top it up after a few days or after a drive.

The reason why you don't just fill the bearing buddy up until full is the grease gun will pump out up to 3000 Psi and easily push out the rear bearing seal, and let all the grease out! and the water in.

All the bearing buddy does is fill the entire hub with grease so theres no room for any water to get in.

But then theres the other trap! if you dunk your trailer in the drink straight after a drive, then the Hot bearings! will get cold quicky and contract! then suck in the cold water.

So let the bearing cool after a trip to the ramp! or don't drive the trailer in to the water up past the bottom of the hubs.

My bearings are 7 years now and still good, mind you the boat hardly see's water these days.

[swampman62]

Instead of useing grease bearing buddies,have you thought of the oil filled type.
Hot or cold streight in to the water no problem.

[Splash]

Hi swampman. I have been told some scary stories about the oil filled type - I'd rather not go down this route.

How much grease do i need for repacking 2 new sets?

Splash

[Smithy]

The latest on Durahubs is you can use grease packed bearings then run them as oil filled. Do a search on Durahub. There was a thread a month or so back. I am just starting to run them. One is going ok, one is milky allready but I wish I had my time over again and I would have spent more time with the emery paper where the seal sat and I would have coated them in grease. I got Timken bearings and the Durahub setups from Supa Cheap place.

[Noelm]

thats the only problem with the oil filled ones, everything needs to be good, once you get any leak from rust/corrosion you are maintaining/replacing them, they work a treat for sure, but need TLC

[TheRealAndy]

I got bearing buddies, thinking about giving them the flick and going back to good old fashion way of regreasing bearings. At least I get to inspect for damage that way.

[tunaticer]

Whilst bearing buddies are good there is one farily major drawback got them. They hate corrugated roads and will fall out of your hubs on a fairly regular basis with heavy corrugation. I lost maybe 8 or 10 buddies over the past 15 yrs and now have drilled tapped and screwed in 3 places, M3 stainless socket head screws into the hub edge and through matching holes in the bearing buddies to keep them in place. Have not had a buddy come loose since and do not longer fear the drive into Stanage Bay or places of similar ilk.

I use plain bearing grease suitable for disc brake hubs in my trailer bearings as the bearing buddies keep the water out nicely.

[black runner]

Repco stock Stainless Steel ones - Trojan (I think)made in NZ. They are of a much higher quality than the cheapies from the auto stores.

Cheers

[White Pointer]

G'day,

I was going to do the same but was advised against it - but just because my bearings were in good nick and there was no point. I met an honest trader!

I suggest you call Ivan at FMS Trailers at 17 Mile Rocks. He will do the job for you at a reasonable price or sell you the right bits and he will make sure seals match your hubs, etc. Don't forget to take a hub with you!

If you're up for doing it yourself use Trojan trailer parts - available from REPCO.

Regards,

White Pointer

[ozbee]

trogan are a little bit harder to tap on as the stainless lip bites more than mild steel , good thing once fitted they dont fall off unless the hub housing is worn.

bit of locktite if lose will help