Bearing Cap is missing

[Frugal Floater]

My bearing cap is missing on my trailer and I can see the grees. Is this cap important? I read in another post "bearing buddies"...what are these? I may stop by Advance Auto this week to see if they have one of these caps.

 

[HONKER1]

Re: Bearing Cap is missing

I personally wouldn't run a boat trailer without bearing buddies, or something similar. Check with your marine supply store or catalog, as they come in differant sizes to fit your trailer.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bearing Cap is missing

Here is a bearing buddy:

It allows you to add grease to the hub and maintain a slight positive pressure to prevent water from leaking in past the rear seal. There are many variations of the bearing buddy now that their original patents have run out.

I would definitely take the hub off and inspect the bearings for wear due to water and dirt getting in and then repacking the bearings.

Main thing with the bearing buddy is to not over do it with the grease gun. You can blow out the rear seal.