How do I Stop Loosing Bearing Buddys??

[KM7]

I've got Bearing Buddys in my double axle trailer. I've already lost a couple and I just saw that another one is missing!! I've read that removing and replacing them can expand the axle (hub?) and result in a loose fit and having the Bearing Buddys fall off.

What can I do to prevent that?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Check the hub for cracks, can also use a thin wall rubber sleeve over the hub and bearing buddy and a hose clamp on each side

 

[KM7]

So a hose clamp over the rubber dust cap !!! Great idea!! Thanks

 

[dingbat]

Nine times out of ten it’s excessive end play in the bearing or the cotter key is to long or not installed correctly.

If worst comes to worst you can always stake the bearing buddy in place,

 

[JimS123]

With all that rust on the hub, maybe the inside is pitted as well. Maybe you need new hubs.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I think my concern would be, if the Bearing Buddy isn't sufficiently tight enough to resist falling out, it's probably not doing its job, which is to maintain positive pressure in the hub to keep water from infiltrating. You might be able to keep the Bearing Buddy from falling out, but that doesn't mean the seal is good enough for the Buddy to work correctly.

I think I'd be checking for corrosion in the hubs, as well as making sure I have the correct size of Bearing Buddy.

 

[KM7]

I do think that they are the correct size or I would have lost all 4 very quickly. I lost 2 a year ago and another one a month ago. I'll check for corrosion. if all that is OK any suggestions besides what Bt Doctor suggested adding a hose clamp?

 

[KM7]

Nine times out of ten it’s excessive end play in the bearing or the cotter key is to long or not installed correctly.

If worst comes to worst you can always stake the bearing buddy in place,

How would the cotter key affect the BB falling out?

Can you tell me more about staking the bearing in place? What would that look like? What tools would be needed?

 

[dingbat]

How would the cotter key affect the BB falling out?

An excessively long or incorrectly installed cooter key will rub on the bore or plunger ( when low on grease) of the BB, walking the BB out of the bore over time.

Can you tell me more about staking the bearing in place? What would that look like? What tools would be needed?

Take a center punch and a ball peen hammer and put three dimples, equally spaced, 1/4” - 3/8” in from the face of the hub.

The dimples (raised material) will hold the BB in place.

 

[barbosam]

I have had this issue with both bearing buddies and standard caps. What always fixed it for me is to place the bearing buddy face (grease fitting side) down on the ground or bench, use a flat head screw driver or chisel held vertically but perpendicular to the back edge of the bearing buddy and hit it with a hammer. This will deform it enough to create a snug fit. I also use a a light coat of gasket maker around the outside before installing it. This helps the loose fitting surfaces seal and adds a little bit to the retention.

 

[KM7]

An excessively long or incorrectly installed cooter key will rub on the bore or plunger ( when low on grease) of the BB, walking the BB out of the bore over time.

Take a center punch and a ball peen hammer and put three dimples, equally spaced, 1/4” - 3/8” in from the face of the hub.

The dimples (raised material) will hold the BB in place.

I put the dimples in the Bearing Buddy right, not in the hub? And that puts a dimple but there is also raised metal around the edge of the dimple and the raised material makes for a tight fit as the BB goes into the hub. Is that right?

 

[airshot]

Either way, all your doing is creating a small raised dimple on the metal to create interference when the two mate together..

 

[dingbat]

I put the dimples in the Bearing Buddy right, not in the hub?

I always did the hub since the casting material is softer. Don’t want to deform the bearing buddy casing

 

[ahicks]

A buddy of mine bought a boat that appeared to have been garage kept and really well maintained. He lost a Bearing Buddy on the way home. He replaced it not giving it a second thought - until he lost that one. So he replaced it a second time. Next time out, on the way to the boat landing, he lost the hub.

We know now the bearings were absolute toast. Clearly a case of the seller not having a clue regarding the function of the Bearing Buddy's.

I've never lost one, but after that lesson, if I do, we'll be pulling the hub down for a close inspection of the bearings prior to just beating another Bearing Buddy into place....

 

[harringtondav]

.... as well as making sure I have the correct size of Bearing Buddy.

This is my first thought. Some sizes are w/in .030" of others.
A correct size BB requires a fair amount of heavier tapping to seat. ...interference fit.
Check the chart in the link below to verify your size:

Genuine BB® Model Selection | BearingBuddy

www.bearingbuddy.com

 

[airshot]

Over many years of boating I have lost a couple of the BB , and so has my neighbor. After the last time he went to the plastic version of the bearing greaser. Been many years back and not one lost plastic unit. Have talked to a few folks that swear by the plastic greasing units as they have never lost one. Anyone here have issues with the plastic units??

 

[roscoe]

This is my first thought. Some sizes are w/in .030" of others.
A correct size BB requires a fair amount of heavier tapping to seat. ...interference fit.
Check the chart in the link below to verify your size:

Genuine BB® Model Selection | BearingBuddy

www.bearingbuddy.com

This.
If you haven't actually measured the hubs with a digital caliper, you may have the wrong size BB.

Can you tell the difference between 1.930", 1.968", and 1.980" ?
Or 1.810" and 1.781" ?

 

[Bt Doctur]

 

[Drcoffee]

I didnt see it mentioned above. Are your wheels balanced. Constant vibration might be causing the BB to shake out.

 

[airshot]

If all else fails, then install your BB then clean the outside of BB and wheel hub, then put 4 or 5 dabs of "goop" where the hub and BB meet. It wint fall off once dried, but you can easily pop it off with channel lock pliers..it works!!