Explain bearing buddies to me...

[ZmOz]

Today I took one of the wheels off of my trailer for the first time. (I've only had the boat a year, although I know I should have checked the bearings last year) I was pleasantly surprised to find a set of bearing buddies. I removed the "bra", and inside there was alot of green grease. (like the color of oxidised copper) First of all, should the grease be green? Second, is this area supposed to be full of grease? I see a grease fitting under all that goop...I would think the grease should be under that.

 

[demsvmejm]

Re: Explain bearing buddies to me...

The idea behind the bearing buddy is to provide a reservoir of grease where the dust cap would be. As the grease is depleted in the bearings the spring in the Bearing Buddy pushes the grease out of the reservoir into the bearings, thus providing constant lubrication. Be careful not to pump too much grease into the Bearing Buddy as this can actually cause grease to be expelled out of the grease seal on the inside of the hub. It sounds like whoever greased them before missed the zerk and got the grease in the outer hub of the Bearing Buddy.<br />Grease can be any color of the rainbow. Certain grease is not compatible with other types of grease. My advice would be to thoroughly clean and repack the bearings, replace the grease seals, and clean the Bearing Buddy's. I know this seems like alot of work, but then you KNOW where you stand. And consistantly use the same grease. I am a professional mechanic and I always use Kendall SuperBlu. It's available in grease gun tubes and bulk tubs. I hope this provides more answers than questions. If you still have Q's feel free to ask.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Explain bearing buddies to me...

After searching around a few places...I think I just want to fill them back up for now. I agree removing them and cleaning out all the old grease would be best, but I don't really have the time or energy to do that right now. If I was to just pump some more grease into them, how do I know when it's full?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Explain bearing buddies to me...

As the grease is injected thru the zerk, the spring loaded plate will start to move outward. I fill mine till the spring is about half compressed. If you over fill it and completely compress the spring, the grease will force the rear grease seal out and you will have a big mess.<br /><br />About yhe graese outside the zerk; I had this happen when I bought some cheap marine grease when on the road. The two different greases mixed and got all runny.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Explain bearing buddies to me...

How far is half compressed? How far should the spring loaded plate be from the outside edge of the bearing buddy?

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Explain bearing buddies to me...

Zm, if they are newer bearing buddies, they will have a small pinhole drilled through the housing. Inject grease til it comes out that hole and you are good. Otherwise, the spring plate should be about an inch or so from the outside edge of the housing. Good luck.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Explain bearing buddies to me...

I like to pump just enough to move the spring maybe quarter inch then top up with 1 or 2 pumps every few outings. As stated, too much pressure can push grease past the hub seal. <br /><br />I also replace my bearings every 2 years regardless of condition, I've never had and don't want a failure.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[agrazela]

Re: Explain bearing buddies to me...

ZmOz,<br /><br />Your green grease might be Pennzoil Marine grease. This is a calcium-soap grease, and will be only marginally compatible with your more commonly used lithium-soap greases. If you mix incompatible greases, they will not hold the oil in suspension.<br /><br />I agree with the advice to clean it all out, start fresh, and stick with one grease only.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Explain bearing buddies to me...

Inject grease til it comes out that hole and you are good

This is exactly what the Bearing Buddy instructions tell you not to do. The lubricant level should be checked by pressing on the edge of the piston. If you can rock or move the piston, the hub is properly filled. If the piston won't rock or move, add grease until piston moves outward about 1/8 inch.

 

[jajeeper]

Re: Explain bearing buddies to me...

http://www.bearingbuddy.com/faqs.htm

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Explain bearing buddies to me...

Alright, I'm still a little confused about how I know when it's full. I took off the bearing buddy and cleaned out all the grease. I did not remove the bearing. I put the buddy back on, and pumped grease in until the piston started to move about 1/4". Didn't seem like very much grease, so I took it back off again. It obviously wasn't enough grease. Am I correct in assuming the whole hub should be filled?

 

[DJ]

Re: Explain bearing buddies to me...

The whole hub will eventually becoome full of grease.<br /><br />Most bearing buddies have a relief hole that will eject grease when the proper spring compression is achieved.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Explain bearing buddies to me...

I don't believe mine have a hole...would it be in the piston? Can I drill one?

 

[wayne h]

Re: Explain bearing buddies to me...

just fill it enought so u can still rock the plate that the zerk fitting is on

 

[DJ]

Re: Explain bearing buddies to me...

waynes idea works good too. The important thing is that you do not want to completely compress the spring. About halfway is good.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Explain bearing buddies to me...

Originally posted by wayne34609:<br /> just fill it enought so u can still rock the plate that the zerk fitting is on

That's my problem. One pump from the grease gun was enough to make it rock. Definately not enough grease.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Explain bearing buddies to me...

A bearing buddy should not be used to pack your bearings. Your bearings need to be properly packed with grease prior to installing the bearing buddy.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Explain bearing buddies to me...

Originally posted by David L. Moore:<br /> The idea behind the bearing buddy is to provide a reservoir of grease where the dust cap would be.

When properly flled it also provides a positive pressure internally to prevent water from entering the assembly if the axle is submerged.<br /><br />Z... if all you saw was grease and no water, then you are good to go until your spring maintenance.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Explain bearing buddies to me...

I see Alot of Confusion as to What Bearing Buddies Do................<br /><br />They are Not to Grease the Bearings.........<br />They are Not to hold a reservoir of Grease......<br /><br />They Are to hold Positive Air Pressure,<br />To guard against Water Intursion........<br /><br />As the bearings heat up during travel, the Buddy's Spring allows Expansion.......<br />When you back into the Water, the bearings Cool.....<br />The Spring allows for the Contraction to take place,<br />Without Sucking Water into the Bearings.......<br /><br />The Hubs should Never be Totally Full of Grease.......<br />Any Grease that is Not in contact with the Bearings, is doing Absolutely No Good.............

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Explain bearing buddies to me...

From bearingbuddy.com...<br /><br />"The Bearing Buddy® system maintains a constant pressure of 3 p.s.i. on the grease inside the hub. Since the hub is always full of grease (with proper maintenance) there is no need to repack your bearings."