Thread: Bearing Buddy

Rees, if it's the same wheel every time, I wouldn't think the Bearing Buddy was the problem. Maybe the wheel hub has been "damaged" or the interior diameter of where the Bearing Buddy inserts has been "expanded" for some reason.

I know that when I've ever had them on my boat trailers, it's taken a beating from a rubber mallet to get them on/off. I've used them on all three boats I've owned, and never had one "fall off" while in transit.

... cp

Are you sure they are the right size ? They usually fit so tight that it takes a good pounding with a hammer and a block of hard wood to get them in. I put a set on my camper last year and been to Okatibbee and back and have been to Enid with it a couple times and they still tight.

I repacked my bearing recently (I have the Posi Lube axles) and had to take the cap off a couple of times before I got the rear seal to seat. I noticed that in a short distance the cap was starting to work its way out.
I bought two new caps and really had to pound them in, whereas the originals went on with just a tap. My guess is they lose some of the tightness after being taken on and off few times.

Since you put new ones on it makes me thing the hub as a bit too large to seat them firmly. How it got that way is a mystery??? Wonder if you put a bead of locktite around the hub if it would hold them on.? Might want to use one of the non permanent blends though.

One thing you can do, it's a pain but sometimes works. Jack the axle up, clean area in hub where cap goes. Take a really sharp punch and go around the inside and tap in a bunch of diverts in the area where it seats. Do some more on the cap from the inside out. Clean everything really good with brake clean and don't skip this part, after using the brake clean re clean with starting fluid. Brake clean leaves a residue but either does not. Then if you can find it get a tube of green lock tite bearing mount. Put it in hub and on cap the put it back together. I'm voting they are not the right size because I have run into that before but at this point it just needs to be fixed.

Size is right, 2 inch and it is on the same hub. Will try what you are suggesting Cray, all the others are staying on fine.

May be a tire that is bad out of balance, John. Switch tires and see if the problem goes to the other wheel.

Thought about that too Gary and you may be right, will run it by the tire shop and see if they can balance it.

Originally Posted by Rees Guide

Size is right, 2 inch and it is on the same hub. Will try what you are suggesting Cray, all the others are staying on fine.

John I would start at napa for that Loctite. Not many places have it. If they don't check a local machine shop. It's actuallyy designed to put on bearing races and sleeves to keep them from spinning. Works even better than the red as far as holding power but will come loose.