bearing buddy keeps popping off

scooper77515 · Mar 5, 2012

Lost one already, then another popped off this weekend. Brand new one. Had to pound on with a bfh so i know it is on tight.

What would cause them to just pop off?

Both times same side, replaced with new one. Getting 2-3 trips before it pops.

Glastron trailer, good shape, had rubber plugs until i put on buddies last year.

Should i use some locktite or something on them?

tpenfield · Mar 5, 2012

Re: bearing buddy keeps popping off

Duct tape maybe to hold them on.

since the bearing buddies use an interference fit, perhaps your hub inner diameter is a bit too big ?

lckstckn2smknbrls · Mar 5, 2012

Re: bearing buddy keeps popping off

Try to find a way to safety wire them on.

smokeonthewater · Mar 5, 2012

Re: bearing buddy keeps popping off

tire badly out of balance or broken belts

ktbarrentine · Mar 5, 2012

Re: bearing buddy keeps popping off

Here is a trick for bearing buddies that I learned from this forum. Mine when on great and are nice and tight, but I didn't want to take any chances. I also used a small amount of permatex-2 to ensure the seal was good. Just have to make sure I have the right tools to take the clamps off when I want to check the buddies. It is relatively quick and easy.

Harritwo · Mar 5, 2012

Re: bearing buddy keeps popping off

I had that problem for over a year, finally replaced the hub and bearing buddy. That solved the problem, It appears the bub was just slightly out of round, not enough that you could see it, but when i mic it is was evident.

Ray1958 · Mar 5, 2012

Re: bearing buddy keeps popping off

I usually just peen the inside diameter slightly, enough to require a light tap on fit of the bearing cap. Has always worked well.

Ray

scooper77515 · Mar 5, 2012

Re: bearing buddy keeps popping off

These are pretty new hubs, very low mileage, and brand new bearing buddies, which took a MAJOR hitting with sledgehammer and large socket (to even out the pounding) to get them to seat.

TOO much pounding, now that I think about it, making me think the out-of-round theory might be correct.

Not too difficult to secure it more properly. Something along the "safety wire" or small set-screw solution route...

Mainly, wanted to see if this was a common problem and what the issues and solutions might be. I have used bearing buddies for a long time on several trailers without issue, then this one just spits them out to spite me...

89mercruiser · Mar 5, 2012

Re: bearing buddy keeps popping off

Dad had the same problem on his boat trailer I lost one going to the gas station about 2 miles away. We went back to the old trusty dust cap. Never had problem after that.

Outsider · Mar 5, 2012

Re: bearing buddy keeps popping off

What would cause them to just pop off?

Installing with a BFH ... :facepalm:

marcoalza · Mar 6, 2012

Re: bearing buddy keeps popping off

I lost 2 a couple of months ago, my man has now put the smallest tack weld on the new ones to secure them (2 on each).
They 'aint going nowhere!

scooper77515 · Mar 6, 2012

Re: bearing buddy keeps popping off

If not a BFH, then how do you get those things in? I didn't hit directly onto the bearing buddies, but used a large socket between buddy and hammer.

I thought about a tack weld, but wasn't sure what type of metal is under that chrome coating, and if it would tack.

I may try that. Easy, quick, cheap. And if it works, it should be very effective.

90stingray · Mar 6, 2012

Re: bearing buddy keeps popping off

I like to use a 2x4 against the bb. Shouldn't need clamps, safety wire or duct tape to keep them on. If you do, something else is wrong.

scooper77515 · Mar 6, 2012

Re: bearing buddy keeps popping off

I went ahead and did a small tack weld on each. I doubt I will have any further problems.

Next time I do bearing work, I might buy new hubs just in case there is something wrong with my current ones.

bruceb58 · Mar 6, 2012

Re: bearing buddy keeps popping off

When I first made the big mistake of buying TieDown disk brakes, I started having the Bearing Buddy issues with them falling off. When I got smart and switched to Kodiacs, that problem stopped so the issue was the hub.

I would probably subscribe to the "peening from the inside" camp.

MRS · Mar 6, 2012

Re: bearing buddy keeps popping off

I just replaced the axle on mytrailer and first trip Had one pop off do not know why. the one that popped off was stainless replaced with a regular one from wally world and has never came back off. Used 2x4 and a hammer to pound back on so do not know if it is the stainless that cause the trouble or not but other side never popped off...

fishrdan · Mar 6, 2012

Re: bearing buddy keeps popping off

I've never dropped a BB, but think lock-titing them would work well. Clean the hub's surface (where the BB seats) well with acetone or carb cleaner, apply a bead of locktite to the BB, drive it in, then clean of the excess lock-tite.

scooper77515 · Mar 7, 2012

Re: bearing buddy keeps popping off

My walmart ones on my last two trailers always held up.

These are stainless, as you said.

I am surprised they are popping off, because they are a TIGHT fit.

The hubs originally had a rubber dust cap, not a metal one. Could the ones with the rubber caps be made differently so the bb's don't hold on as well?

robert graham · Mar 7, 2012

Re: bearing buddy keeps popping off

Maybe you could give each BB a good sharp tap with a hammer or squeeze it in a vise to deform it to be very slightly out of round, providing for a interference fit when you insert it in the hub?....sorta like the peening idea....just a thought!

Chas0218 · Mar 7, 2012

Re: bearing buddy keeps popping off

I am willing to bet it is right after you get done greasing them. The pressure of the grease is pushing the bearing buddy back. Try to add a little less grease. I only grease my bearings once a month (depending on the distance travelled) but try to let the BB sit overnight before taking her down the road and check to make sure they are seated. I am willing to bet your BB will have slid out a little because of the pressure of the grease inside.

bearing buddy keeps popping off

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