Oil filled hubs /bearings ?

[Jimfor]

I saw an article recently about bearing hubs filled with heavy oil rather than grease. They have clear plastic caps that allow you to see the oil within. Can I remove my "bearing buddies" and replace them with this new device? Or would I have to replace the entire hub to go to this new system. The thought of being able to see inside at a glance appeals to me. Anyone tried these units yet ?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Oil filled hubs /bearings ?

They are popular on big trucks similar to the ones the highway department or trash tucks use. They are not designed to be submerged unless they have changed them recently.<br /><br />Bob

 

[M260A]

Re: Oil filled hubs /bearings ?

I bought a new Sey Ray 260 last August that came on a all aluminum trailer. The hubs are the kind filled with oil. They are sealed and I have had no problems with submerging them.

 

[KM2]

Re: Oil filled hubs /bearings ?

I think they are the norm on Ranger boat trailers and some of the high end ski/wake board boat trailers. Therefore one would think water shouldn't be a problem.

 

[islandboat]

Re: Oil filled hubs /bearings ?

You may not want to change over to them just yet. It takes more than replacing the outside caps. The spindle seal area must be in perfect condition and new inner seals have to be installed. <br /> I bought a new pair of torsion axles with disc brakes installed ($1000) last December and I asked for those new style "wet" hubs. The dealer told me that he no longer recommends them as they have had half of them returned because of water leaking into them. I told a friend that he want to not ask for them on his new Triton rig. In the last 4 months he has had 2 of them repaired because of water intrusion. If they leak that quick on a new trailer, how long will they last on used spindles?<br /> We have about 250 trucks in our fleet with "wet" hubs and they work fine. We just keep our trucks off the boat ramps.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Oil filled hubs /bearings ?

Hubs are generally hot when the ramp is reached. Backing into the cold water rapidly reduces the temperature creating a momentary vacuum inside the hub. The back seal is a lip seal intended to keep grease in the hub. It doesn't do a very good job of keeping water out of the hub as it would when the bearings are packed with grease.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Oil filled hubs /bearings ?

i have them on two trailers here. both trailers, all 4 wheels, leak! theres no way around it.<br /><br />neat in theory, but you cant beat a good set of bearing buddies!!!

 

[Link]

Re: Oil filled hubs /bearings ?

Just read about those tonight.. saw that Overtons is blowing them off an sale.. figured there was a reason.

 

[islandboat]

Re: Oil filled hubs /bearings ?

I put the oil filled hubs down pretty hard. I didn't ask about the brand. I should have mentioned that Kodiak has good parts if you buy the whole stainless and galvanized kit (rotors, hubs, seals, bearings and end caps). Mismatching seals, end caps and hubs could give problems. The complete kit from Tie Down is not something I would want to spend money on either. <br /> I ended up with something that was a compromise. The end of the spindles are drilled and has a grease fitting in the axle. The bearing cap has a rubber plug that is easy to pop out by hand. Pump grease into the fitting and it comes out behind the inner bearing and forces all of the old grease out through the bearings out of of the end caps. I hate packing wheel bearings.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Oil filled hubs /bearings ?

The idea behind packing bearings is really two-fold. First is obviously to ensure the bearings have a clean supply of grease. The other is to visually inspect the bearings for pitting, overheating (blueish tint), cracks or other damage from water that can get into the hub. Just keeping it greased is not a guarantee that bearing failure will not occur. As a minimum, each wheel should be periodically jacked up and spun by hand while listening carefully for the ever so slight rumble of a rough bearing. If its loud enough to hear, its bad enough to require immediate replacement. If the trailer is in storage for long periods, put it on jack stands and spin the wheels periodically to keep the bearings from marking the races which can evenutally lead to failure.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Oil filled hubs /bearings ?

Originally posted by trophy175:<br /> I ended up with something that was a compromise. The end of the spindles are drilled and has a grease fitting in the axle. The bearing cap has a rubber plug that is easy to pop out by hand. Pump grease into the fitting and it comes out behind the inner bearing and forces all of the old grease out through the bearings out of of the end caps. I hate packing wheel bearings.

I believe what you are referring to are called EZ Lube hubs from Dexter axles (though others may make a similar product by a different name). And I agree that this is the superior setup...far better than Bearing Buddies...because the EZ Lubes actually provide an exit for the old grease, dirt, and water when you pump the new in. Bearing Buddies offer no exit, unless of course you pump them to the point of blowing out the inner seal (which a TON of people do, and don't even realize.) Many new trailers (not just boat) these days come with EZ lube hubs instead of Bearing Buddies for this very reason.<br /><br />I will also agree with Upinsmoke that an EZ lube hub that's capable of flushing grease is no substitute for periodic bearing inspection...and the only way to do that right is to disassemble and repack the old fashioned way.

 

[muskyone]

Re: Oil filled hubs /bearings ?

love mine havent had a prob in two years no water there great

 

[roscoe]

Re: Oil filled hubs /bearings ?

There are several different brands, I know there has been leaking with some.<br />Believe the ones from Watertown? Wisconsin to be trouble free.<br />Atleast for the guys I know with them.

 

[Gone Again]

Re: Oil filled hubs /bearings ?

Check out www.liqualube.com. This product addresses all the problems mentioned including using your original hubs, vaccuum/pressure build up and spindle prep for a leak free system. Also a synthetic lube is used and is capable of absorbing up to 30% of its own weight in water and just making more lube. A great product. Have installed many of these systems and not one problem. Call the factory with any questions-great people!

 

[dingbat]

Re: Oil filled hubs /bearings ?

No matter what system you us it's only as good as the seal on the spindle shaft. It doesn't matter if you use grease, oil, or even some kind of gold plated premium lubrication, you will have problems should the integrity of the spindle seal be compromised. The best thing you can do is to install the best seal you can find, clean the spindle shaft each and every time you remove the wheel for service and use the proper grease for the application.<br /><br />As for the oil bath system, you’ll never find them on my trailer. If for some reason you have any leak at all in your seal the oil runs out and your bearing protection is gone almost immediately. A grease system is far more forgiving should you lose a seal.

 

[BillP]

Re: Oil filled hubs /bearings ?

Originally posted by dingbat:<br /> No matter what system you us it's only as good as the seal on the spindle shaft. It doesn't matter if you use grease, oil, or even some kind of gold plated premium lubrication, you will have problems should the integrity of the spindle seal be compromised. The best thing you can do is to install the best seal you can find, clean the spindle shaft each and every time you remove the wheel for service and use the proper grease for the application.<br /><br />As for the oil bath system, you’ll never find them on my trailer. If for some reason you have any leak at all in your seal the oil runs out and your bearing protection is gone almost immediately. A grease system is far more forgiving should you lose a seal.

I agree 100%. Even badly worn seals will keep bearings protected if Bearing Buddies are pumped enough to keep hubs full. Grease doesn't leak out quickly like oil can. Also, Bearing Buddies now have a large relief port to help keep from blowing rear seals. <br /><br />Oil filled boat trailer hubs shouldn't be compared with the success of oil filled truck hubs either...totally different conditions. Truck hubs don't rely on air pressure to keep contamination out...just top them off if the oil seeps a little.<br /><br />EDIT: I just checked the liquidlube site. Isn't that the system that requires gluing a part to the trailer spindle? Weird to me but maybe it will last.

 

[Gone Again]

Re: Oil filled hubs /bearings ?

Nothing is glued to the spindle. Sealer is used between the spindle sleeve and spindle. This seals it for good.

 

[M260A]

Re: Oil filled hubs /bearings ?

Well I also run a few 18 wheel freight trucks. These trucks and trailers have the wet lube hubs. Sure you get a seal leaking every now and then, especially with the miles this equipment sees,and when this happens it must be fixed soon. But I have never had one lose all the lube immediatly and burn a bearing up before you can get to the yard.

 

[J.Hale]

Re: Oil filled hubs /bearings ?

I have a 2000 ranger trail trailer, it came with the cool hubs on it (oil lubrication instead of grease). I have pulled my boat all over the country and have never had to do anything to them. The clear glass at the end of the hub is your indicator. If the glass is dark you are good to go. If the glass turns a brown color this indicates water has got into the hub. Mine has been dark since the day I bought it. This system is great!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Oil filled hubs /bearings ?

5 ? Year Old Thread!