10-17-2023, 09:26 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-17-2023, 09:30 PM by FishfulThinkin.)
(10-17-2023, 07:32 PM)SkunkedAgain Wrote: I would probably do like you say and keep the new assembly out of the weather so it stays new... I always assumed the bad bearing issues will show up on long trips... However, that wasn't the case for my current issue, it happened on a 2 mile tow, it squawked on the way to launch and then went to pieces on the ride home... I took it easy and crawled home so I didn't have to fix it on the road without a shoulder, but ended up causing a lot of damage, so I should have figured out how to fix it sooner... But probably would have had bigger issues anyway... I really didn't expect issues with this trailer, it had the bearing buddies and the ability to grease it, so I'd kept it greased, but it was a used boat, and I don't know how it was treated before I got it, and it was in storage for several years before I got it, so likely had old grease and maybe water corrode it while it was just sitting there. Anyway it will be nice to know it has good bearings and all after I get it fixed this time... Later J
My $.02 on bearing buddies:
In theory it sounds good to hit a zerk with a grease gun and go fishing, but it actually is not that simple. The bearing buddy only has the ability to grease the outer bearing so the inner bearing never gets any new grease. Furthermore, the inner bearing is also the one that gets water coming in through the seal. No matter how good the seals, double lip, triple lip etc. my experience tells me that a little water always intrudes. There is just no way to keep water out of the hub when you plunge a warm hub into cold water repeatedly. So not only is no new grease getting to the bearing, water is washing out the old grease that you packed in there. All my bearing failures have been the inner one. The only remedy I have found is to pull the hub apart and repack the bearings - especially the inner one. Depending on how many times you launch this could be an annual or even more frequent operation. I know, it sucks but I don't know of any other way. If you want to check your bearings, just jack up that side of the trailer and spin the wheel and listen. It will let you know if it needs attention. If is sounds like a kid roller skating down the sidewalk you better pull it apart. Wiggling the wheel is also a good indicator as there should be very little play. I did this the day before a recent Lake Powell trip and one wheel was so noisy that I had to pull an all nighter getting new bearings and repacking before we left. I didn't dare to use my spare hub at the start of a long trip. Fortunately we didn't need it but on longer trips I hate not having a spare hub for my single axle trailer. The bearing buddies do make a nice shiny chrome dust cap however! Anyway, that's my opinion and you're entitled to it! At a minimum, I would suggest every boat owner jack up the trailer and spin the wheels and listen at least annually.