Rinsing Hubs - Removing Bearing Buddies

[JET O'Wey]

I use may trailer twice a year in salt water, at the beginning and end of the season. Would it make sense to remove the bearing buddies right after I pull my boat and rinse the hubs out with fresh water? (then replace the bearing buddies)

 

[JB]

Re: Rinsing Hubs - Removing Bearing Buddies

If your bearing buddies are correctly installed and greased up to compress the spring, water cannot enter, Jet. Leave them be.<br /><br />It is certainly a good idea to rinse the trailer. I used to take mine to a fresh water ramp and dunk it, then to a coin-op car wash before I put it up for the season. That might have been overdoing it, but I had no rust problems for the 8 years i did that.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Lark40]

Re: Rinsing Hubs - Removing Bearing Buddies

Can't believe I'm taking issue with JB, but I have read posts on different boards where folks say that a long drive to the ramp will create some air space in the hub and that the cool water will be sucked into the vacuum created by the hot hub. <br /><br />These boaters say that they grease the Bearing Buddies just before launching to minimize the problem, and many also remove the Bearing Buddies to clean and repack, especially after salt water service.<br /><br />Just starting to use my boat in salt water, and expect to follow this advice.

 

[JB]

Re: Rinsing Hubs - Removing Bearing Buddies

Hi, Lark.<br /><br />What you describe happens to bearings without BBs.<br /><br />Bearing buddies create positive pressure in the hub. That is what the spring is for.<br /><br />If water could get in they are improperly installed or not pressurized by the grease.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Rinsing Hubs - Removing Bearing Buddies

Just a side note on bearing buddies. Don't over do it, for you can push the rear seal out of the hub and then have big problems.<br />OK, I'll shut up.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Rinsing Hubs - Removing Bearing Buddies

I agree with JB, the Bearing Buddies allow you to fill the hub with a good grease then pump in more until the spring is compressed. That way when you travel an hour at 100 degrees and back into a 50 degree ocean it does not suck in salt water past the seal but instead a little grease under spring pressure. I boat 50 percent in salt water and have been doing so since 1980 and have never lost a bearing. I check them once a year, Jack up each wheel check bearing play, rotate wheel and listen. Took one set of bearings and races out when converted brake form drum to disc, all bearing and races good no rust or pitting or any sign of salt.

 

[martinwinte]

Re: Rinsing Hubs - Removing Bearing Buddies

I do about the same as you with my jet ski trailer. I always do a fresh water dunk (in a lake) on the ski and trailer (with buddys on). I also take the hubs down at the end of the season and clean the buddys, races, bearings, check the rear seal, ect. I have NEVER noticed any sign of water leakage (aside from a time I blew a seal.....Please no Alasaka jokes). I just can not bring myself to breaking my habit of trailer maintance despite the fact I've never noticed a problem.

 

[araiha]

Re: Rinsing Hubs - Removing Bearing Buddies

One thing that I have found that makes a difference is to make sure the hubs are cool to the touch prior to backing the trailer in the water. This generally is only 5 - 10 minutes and is a good time to check to make sure none of the embarassing "forgot the plug" or other snafus are overlooked.