Bearing buddy

[R-N-R]

Does anybody have experience using Bearing Buddy(s) on a TT? They seem to be more common on boat trailers, but look like they may easy the annual maintenance effort on a RV trailer bearings as well.

 

[B.G. Smith]

BB

They would work fine for the bearings if you don't have brakes. They will fill the brakes with grease over time. bg

 

[R-N-R]

Definately have brakes. Do the "Bearing Brake Bras" (plastic cover) or the spindle seals help prevent this as advertised?

 

[TPCDrafting]

I put them on my flat bed trailer when I re-packed and replaced the bearings. Thought it would allow me to give'em a squirt before heading out for a load of hay. Haven't had to use them yet, and the trailer has no brakes (it's an oldie) Anyway, I also bought a new horse trailer last summer which came with them as well as brakes. (6k lb rubber ride axles) The trailer guy told me the bearing buddies are a great way to get you by until you can get the axles apart and properly re-pack the bearings rather than a means to maintain the trailer. Take it as you like and do what you like. They weren't very expensive for my flat bed, so it was worth it for that trailer which sits much of the time.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Bearing buddies

The rubber "bras" are to keep the grease from making a mess on the outside of the wheel. I have a boat trailer which has spindles that are drilled abd the excess grease from the BBs goes into the axle tube or somewhere, there are several different configurations of greasing on the newer axles, one of which forces the grease in through the spindle and back out through the bearings to the outside. I don't think the seals on my 5th wheel axles would contain the grease as I usually notice some leakage into the brakes when I service them. There are some improved sealing devices out for larger "semi" trailer axles but haven't seen anything for our application. bg

 

[drees1]

I would not use them under any circumstances with brakes. They fill the bearing area with solid grease and they have a spring loaded piston to keep pressure on the grease. Invariably, the pressurized grease gets by the seal. Great for boat trailers without brakes, though, no air space at all to allow water in. If you repack your bearings once a year and travel less than 10,000 miles you should be fine, and you will not get grease on the brakes. Just my $. 02

 

[Philsram]

I have installed a set of bearing buddies on my boat trailer and have never had a problem since. I hear all the horror stories about bearings going out on boat trailers and other types of trailers and I totally trust bearing buddies on my trailer. I recomend these for any trailer application.

 

[R-N-R]

PWellwood,



Does your boat trailer have brakes?

Do you use the Spindle Seals that Bearing Buddy also sells?



Bill

 

[Deezul1]

I was like you and thought this was a good way to naintain bearings on the TT it doesnt work I had brakes FULL of grease

 

[R-N-R]

Sounds like this is not a good idea for a TT, but just to push it a bit more, has anybody use the Spindle Seals that BB offers to prevent grease from gettin gon the brakes?

 

[R-N-R]

From their website...





Spindle Seal is for use with Bearing Buddy® on trailers with brakes or as replacement seals.



The Spindle Seal System eliminates excessive grease leakage caused by rough sealing surfaces, which will quickly destroy any seal. With the Spindle Seal System, high-quality neoprene seals ride on a smooth stainless steel surface constantly greased by the action of Bearing Buddy®, which prolongs the life of the seals.

 

[FredNeise]

To wesoule: Bearing Buddies are fine for an axle that is frequently submerged in water. However, on a TT too much grease in the bearing area will eventually leak past the seals and soak into the brake lining, rendering it useless. One of the characteristics of petroleum grease is, that under pressure and heat, it has a tendency to change to a liquid which creates a pressure that forces the grease past the axle seals. Normally a once-a-year (about 10,000 miles) check of your bearings is sufficient.

 

[paccool]

I WAS using them until I had to just replace all my brakes on the travel trailer. They were full of grease. Everything was screwed up, had to replace the entire setup. Some was from wear, some due to grease.



One thing I can say tho- never had a problem with the bearings heating up! Had lots of grease there



I took em off when I replaced the brakes. Have them on my boat trailer, shoot grease into the hub after a launch, pushes out any water. Have never had a bearing failure with them but sure have a lot of grease around on the inside of the hub and wheel.

 

[Bob H]

Another thing with Bearing Buddy's is they only help the outer bearing. They don't do anything for the inner bearing other than fill the whole assembly with grease

Bob H

 

[paccool]

Hi Bob H



I'm not sure I agree with your comment about the inner bearing. I was pumping grease thru the inner seal and thats what got my brakes. I think the only way for the grease to get that far is for it to go thru the inner bearing. Same with my boat trailer. I always watched as the grease came out and usually got a little water to come out as well. I now know that doing that is not good for the inner seals but like I said, I never had a failure.



Stan

 

[99guy]

I agree with Stan. If you put enough grease in the front side of the hub, it’s only got 1 place to go and that’s tru the hub cavity, thru the rear bearing and then out the back side. That would be around the seal. Like mentioned above, check em at proper intervals & you’ll be fine. Give you a chance to make sure everything is OK with the brakes too, not a bad thing!

 

[R-N-R]

Seems like a good idea for light boat trailers. Even though nobody seems to have tried the Spindle Seal that BB produces, I think I'll stay away from Bearing Buddies for my TT.



Thanks for all the input!



Bill

 

[Sawbones]

Bearing buddies are used routinely in our area. Over filling can cause the grease to escape from the inner seal, but this has never adversely affected my brakes (only the hull of my boat). The mfg still recommends yearly repacking. Removing the cover allows visual inspection of the spring loaded reservoir. The alternative is NOT using them and wondering how much grease you've got left every time you trailer. I give them a few shots after each tow, this forces out a small amount of liquid grease and water which can only be a good thing.