Wheel Bearings

[Roger Chambers]

I have burnt the wheel bearings out on both wheels of my trailer. One side in one trip the other side on another trip. Had Bearing Buddies on both wheel when they burnt out, new bearings and races. When I got the new hub and bearings, the trailer guy said not to use Bearing Buddies and just use caps. I can't figure out why the bearings went. Did I overgrease? Nut to tight? Anybody have similar problems?

 

[Rob LaMoy]

If you overfill them, you can blow there rear shaft seal out on the axle. Then water can get in and do it's number. Be sure you didn't score the shaft as well.

 

[Steve Rizza]

Bearing Buddies cannot be over filled.

There is a relief hole on the side where the grease will squirt out of before it blows out the seals.



Steve

 

[Larry Harp]

So what is the proper way to grease the bearings? I've got the regular stock Trailstar OEM bearings with the soft plastic cover. The guy at Tracker Marine of OKC (now BPS) told me to fill them just until I see fresh grease coming out from the back. Is that correct?



Harpo

 

[Sam Elkins]

If you've got the Tracker OE trailer you squirt grease into the front and the old grease comes out the front. On mine each side holds almost one of the small grease tubes. I've had mine almost 4 years now and I change the grease twice a season. No bearing problems.

 

[William H. (Bill) Barham]

Thanks for the photo Sam.. In regard to Harpo's post, I have never seen the old grease come out the back of mine but does come out the front. That worried me until now.

I also worried that it was taking too much grease until I read your reply.



Bill

 

[TOMMY RICH]

Ya'know everybody I hear raves about the Bearing Buddies but, yet those are the ones that I keep hearing problems about. Those are EZ Lube systems that Tracker uses and they are definitely better because you are always adding FRESH grease. I still pull the wheels and inspect every year with new seals to be sure. I've had two trailers with that system and so far zero problems if maintained properly...

 

[Rob LaMoy]

I've never had a problem with bearing buddies, but again, you have to use them correctly. I did have one come up missing one time. I don't know if it flew off while towing, or it was "borrowed" but I can't see someone taking just one. To say I had a MESS on my wheel and side of the boat was an understatement! They ought to make that stuff easier to clean off of gel coat! LOL

 

[William H. (Bill) Barham]

You know, I might get yelled at for this but wtf... Years ago I had a homemade trailer and bought my very first set of Bearing Buddies for it. Well, they didn't seem to fit just right. Sooooo, I mixed up a batch of of two-part epoxy and spread it around the hub of the Bearing Buddy. I then put them on my hub and let them dry. I NEVER had a problem after that. At the end of each year I would knock the Bearing Buddies off and the bearings and races always looked like new. Maybe not the way to do it, but I had no choice and it worked.



Bill

 

[Rob LaMoy]

If it works....

 

[Steve Rizza]

Rob,

I have had two so far come up missing.I drilled a small hole in the flange,tapped it and put a set screw in each side.

I could see somebody "borrowing" one,I had some body "borrow" a rim and tire off of my trailer one night while fishing.

They were nice enough to put what was left of the tire and rim on my trailer and tighten everything up.

It scared the heck out of me when I took off across the lot to load the boat and heard that bare rim sliding across the pavement.