Thread: Toasted Wheel Bearing?

Originally Posted by Lund

Do you use grease buddies or what? Just keep checking them? How often?

I still use bearing buddies. They're inexpensive and better than a regular cap I think, just not a replacement for maintenance. Still have to take them off from time to time and repack. Once a year is fine unless you tow a lot.

You are supposed to be able to pump them up and the spring in the cap will keep the hub pressurized, preventing water from entering, but I've never seen that actually work for any amount of time. They have a relief hole that prevents you from actually forcing any grease into the bearing.

The last time I changed my bearings I bought bearings and seals and had a local shop press them into the hub. I found out later that I could have bought brand new complete hubs from NAPA for less than I spent for the bearings and seals.

Just for an update, I took the driver side one off and inspected, looked very serviceable with no issues. The picture below is driver side after I wiped a lot of grease away, disassembled and reassembled.

Compare that to the passenger side


Placed the order for the new axel which comes with new hubs, seals, bearings and additionally ordered bearing buddies (can't hurt). So here's to fishing in 2023 lol

Glad you were able to get one.

On that style of axle you grease bearings thru the zirk fitting on end of axle... Bearing Buddys will not help you since the path the grease takes is thru the center of axle, then thru bearings, then old grease comes out by axle nut where you can wipe excess away before installing the end cap. The Bearing Buddy will be in the way of access to the zirk fitting. I used Bearing Buddys on all my old style axles, still had to hand pack bearings every year but I felt like the Buddys did help. I have Dexter ez lube style axles on my boat trailer and on my lawn mower/ 4 wheeler trailer. Dexter E-Z Lube System - YouTube

Mr Lund, couple of ideas from an experienced trailerer. I waterfowl hunt and fish a lot and over time I have learned a few tricks to avoid these issues. One, use quality marine grade grease. Two, excess speed is not your friend. Three, carry an extra hub assembly complete with bearings and seals and tools to change it. Typically, if I have a hub getting warm, I will swap it if I’m a long way from the house. Good luck with your new axle. If it didn’t come with new u-bolts, do yourself a favor and get new ones as those are probably not coming off the east way. Also, be sure to check the nylon bushings and spring bolts while it’s apart. Blessing

FWIW. I use Lucas Oil Marine Grease.

Personally I love synthetic bearing grease. My experience has shown me newly installed bearings with regular grease will get warm, albeit only slightly warm. But same trailer with new bearing and synthetic grease, I'd feel the hub and it stayed cold.

I was kinda amazed, and now that's all I'll use. Just thought I'd share.

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