Grease in the Bearing Buddy

[leedavenport]

I have recently replaced the wheel bearings and installed new bearing buddy's. Is it normal for grease to squeeze out around the diaphragm? I keep a good check on it since I've twice had a bearing failure while on the road.

 

[redneck joe]

they do not on mine - you might have them overfilled.


or I have mine underfilled...

 

[Expidia]

If you did it yourself, they should have come with an interaction sheet. I only pump enough grease in until I see the diaphram start to move a little. If you pump too much you can pop the seals in the back. Look behind the wheel where it meets the axle for gobs of grease hanging there. A popped seal will let water into the bearing with each launch.

Google "how to pump grease into a bearing buddy".

 

[Starcraft5834]

Throw your buddies out. Very far away.. to many people overfill them causing rear seal blowouts.. do you have grease zerks on spindle end? If so put dust caps on..if not pack by hand and put dust cap on. Buddies are not your friend

 

[bruceb58]

The people that need to throw Bearing Buddies away are the ones that don't know how to read directions. If you know how to read, they are fine.

 

[kjsAZ]

If used as intended they don't do much beyond a warm and fuzzy feeling. If overfilled they do a lot of harm. If you have a Sure-lube or EZ-lube or similar spindle they should never be installed.

 

[Starcraft5834]

If used as intended they don't do much beyond a warm and fuzzy feeling. If overfilled they do a lot of harm. If you have a Sure-lube or EZ-lube or similar spindle they should never be installed.

#1. Amen.. anyone who does not have surelube or easylube systems is apt to like BB... BB make their living off old generation axle systems

 

[Frank Acampora]

While we are at it, why don't we bash "whale tails" and Ethanol in gasoline. And then for good measure, let's "discuss" merits of various TWC-3 oils.

Like any other product, there will be lovers and haters--just look at the Ford-Chevy-Chrysler-Toyota people.

Bearing buddies have their place and are neither as good as nor as bad as some will make them out to be. I have trailers with posi-lube and bearing buddies systems and am satisfied with both.

In fact, I had a trailer with leaking rear seals ( From wear) and bearing buddies. Too lazy to pull the hubs and replace the seals, I simply filled the bearing buddies with grease before each trip and dragged the boat the 35 mile round trip. The bearings lasted for 25 years and I only retired the trailer when I acquired a much heavier duty trailer for the boat--the original bearings are still good on the retired and disassembled trailer. I may yet change the seals. BTW: The all steel fenders were never in danger of rusting with their undercoat of "rust preventative" LOL

 

[bruceb58]

#1. Amen.. anyone who does not have surelube or easylube systems is apt to like BB... BB make their living off old generation axle systems

I have both. One type on each trailer. Both devices do good jobs. Actually had more problems with the ez-lube axle with water intrusion.

 

[midcarolina]

Bearing buddy type automatic lubricant dispensers have been used in industrial equipment maintenance for many years......... If used properly do exactly as they are intended to do, Just because someone doesn't know how to use a tool properly does not mean the tool should be thrown out.

I replace far more pillow block bearings because so called professionals have over greased the bearings and pushed the seals out, way more than because the bearings fail due to lack of grease

 

[Starcraft5834]

Anyone who has used both BB's on old generation axles or modern axle systems with zerk type technologies can draw their own conclusions. I've had both. I'll keep my new axle, you can keep your BB's. Let me ask this question? let's assume anyone with an old axle whose pounded BB's on can get a "free of charge" axle replacement of your choice....Most would take the new axle.... anyone who states otherwise is just being argumentative and ignoring the benefits gained with new lube technology...

 

[H20Rat]

Anyone who has used both BB's on old generation axles or modern axle systems with zerk type technologies can draw their own conclusions. I've had both. I'll keep my new axle, you can keep your BB's. Let me ask this question? let's assume anyone with an old axle whose pounded BB's on can get a "free of charge" axle replacement of your choice....Most would take the new axle.... anyone who states otherwise is just being argumentative and ignoring the benefits gained with new lube technology...

Don't think anybody is disagreeing, but... If you don't have to replace the entire axle/spindle, I can put bearing buddies on for MUCH, MUCH less $$$. I've had and still currently have trailers with both. I have NEVER had a bearing blow out on me. (Last year I was somewhere around 5000 trailer miles, so I do move my trailers occasionally.) I also rarely pull them off to repack. As long as you keep grease in either without overfilling it, it is pretty hard to screw things up. Run them out of grease and you have issues.

 

[leedavenport]

Darn I didn't mean to cause such a debate. But I think I got the information I needed somewhere in there. I'm a low budget operation and an just trying to work with what I have. Thanks.

 

[bruceb58]

Just ad grease until the cylinder just starts to move off its seat and you are fine.

It's pretty hard to screw up using them although its apparent people do that want you to throw them out. Just don't over grease and you will be fine. Don't do the trick that some people do and grease every time you go out. Once it is fully full of grease, you never have to add grease unless there is an air pocket that works its way out.

Kinda sucks when you ask a question how to use something and someone tells you to throw it away.

 

[Maclin]

I am not sure the brand I have on mine, but there is a very small diameter relief hole on them that vents the pressure cavity. I grease slowly until the spring moves, but almost every time there is a (very) small string of grease just starting to come out the relief vent hole.

 

[redneck joe]

are you using right grease?

 

[bassman284]

I am not sure the brand I have on mine, but there is a very small diameter relief hole on them that vents the pressure cavity. I grease slowly until the spring moves, but almost every time there is a (very) small string of grease just starting to come out the relief vent hole.

Yeah Mac, I have the same ones. It's a lot easier than trying to guess whether the spring moves because you've achieved pressure or because you wiggled the grease gun.

 

[Maclin]

Exactly bassman. I am impressed with the performance of these.

 

[skydiveD30571]

I have those with the relief port too. I do have to add grease here and there on the rear axle (tandem axle) because it tends to run hotter than the front axle due to the brakes. Seems like they sling a little grease when they get real hot.

 

[Ned L]

The ones I have also have those small relief holes. Makes overfilling them close to impossible.