bearing buddies problems/solutions......

[James Brant]

new boat owner (6 months), small single axle trailer. lost a bearing buddy, got a replacement pair. replaced, and the lost one is still there and working as far as i know.

lost the other one, and replaced it with the remaining buddy. was a PITA, but with a small sledge and block of wood, got it in there. figured it was in for life after that. nope, came off after next use. WTF..... so did i put too much grease in it?

should i expect BB to last long, or do you have to constantly replace them? do they just fly off on the hwy or launch on the regular? i'm wondering if they are worth the hastle at this point. if you don't use them, what is the alternative?

any advice welcome.

 

[DuroBoat]

They should not fall off but they do.. I’ve lost a couple in several years of long trailering. Just had my trailer rebuilt last summer and lost one of the new bearing buddies on the way home from the shop….

 

[Ringo]

You’re welcome!

 

[James Brant]

ok i'm liking this. i see a hose clamp and what, a piece of bent wire? i gather you had issues as well and wanted a permanent fix.

 

[Ringo]

ok i'm liking this. i see a hose clamp and what, a piece of bent wire? i gather you had issues as well and wanted a permanent fix.

They love to fly off on the hwy. buy everything SS and it’s a super easy DIY job to put it together. Easily unscrew the hose clamp before the winter storage for regular maintenance and then put it back in. Haven’t lost one since I did this.

 

[wolf]

Sometimes when is the bearing is a bit loose and when you turn the bearing hits the shaft pushing the bering buddy out . I had a bearing go one time so wheel wobbled and "stretched " the hole out .So i got a center punch and on inside made a bunch of imprints and bearing buddy held great... you mad have to relace the hub.. mine was on the gravel road fix but it lasted

 

[pescador]

It’s normal to lose them sometimes. It’s happened to me too. What Ringo does ^^^^

 

[Loghauler]

Never lost one if I did I think I’d try drilling small hole and put a screw as a keeper

 

[spring fever]

What Wolf said=peen the buddy with a centre punch but I like Ringo's idea as well

 

[daddystoy]

Lost a couple. I use stainless steel tie wire and tie them on now. Could take a picture tomorrow.

 

[northwest wind]

Jack your trailer up and wiggle the tires and see if you have play in the bearings I’m sure this is your problem. Seen it many times if there play re set your bearings and install bearing buddies. If you can wiggle bearing buddies after install do the dimple trick as mentioned above

 

[Blueback]

And yes, BB's are essential to boat trailers, in my opinion/experience, having lost an an entire wheel on the highway once.

 

[Thunder21]

I don’t run them anymore. I use a small metal cap and repack every year.

 

[23Hourston]

I don’t run them anymore. I use a small metal cap and repack every year.

Agreed plus 100% silicone on cap where is slides in to hub

 

[Bryan Allen]

I towed my boat trailer from Hardy to Courtenay with duct tape holding the grease on the bearing after the BB blew off. Not ideal but It got me home.

 

[Max123]

I thought the installation guides call for a bit of Loctite or RTV sealant when you install. Did these fall out after just friction fit, or with sealant?

I don't know if I love the idea of a keeper screw on the side. Just as likely to rust itself in there or strip the head when you need to access it.

 

[Reel Gone]

Drilling a hole for a set screw to me is an opportunity for water to leak past and cause the problem the BB is trying to prevent. I have had a couple fall off even with loctite. I would check the ID of the hub/drum, it's likely out of round or slightly oversize -cheap chinese parts. I do like the hose clamp idea, simple and outboard of the bearing cavity

 

[salmonkiller01]

I gave up on bearing buddies years ago. When I replace bearings and seal I ensure sealing surface has a ss speedy sleeve and use regular dust caps sealed on with Permatex 51550 Anaerobic 515 Flange Sealant
Recently changed my axles to oil bath and love this as I see the oil level.

Hubs sizes for dust caps have a lot of different sizing and are very close to each other. Mic you flange and get the right caps or bearing buddies.