Will a Bearing Buddy pack an outer bearing?

GJarrett

Member
Oct 3, 2006
649
Tampa, FL
Boat Info
'02 260 Sundancer
Engines
6.2 MPI
Will a Bearing Buddy provide enough pressure to the grease in the hub to pack the outer bearing? I did a lot of trailer maintenance yesterday, replacing one hub and then packing them all with Amsoil synthetic marine grease, replacing disk pads, and installing Bearing Buddies. I am 90% sure that I forgot to pack grease into the outer bearing of one of the hubs before I reassembled it and installed the Bearing Buddy onto it. It was such a pain pressing the Bearing Buddy into the hub that I am confident that I will probably destroy it while trying to remove it to check the outer bearing. I am hoping that the spring tension in the Bearing Buddy is enough to pack the bearing. Will I be okay, or do I need to redo that hub?
 
While I've never tried it, I wouldn't risk it. You can knock the Buddy off in just a minute or two by using a hammer around the edge... Just keep alternating N/E/S/W. A little outward pressure with your hand and it's easy. Put it back on with a hammer to get it set, then send it home with a block of wood and hammer. Once the grease gets warm, it "might" work it's way in there - but I wouldn't chance it.
 
Have used them for years on different trailers, never had a problem.

Note on install, put them in the freezer for a few hours, will go in much easier.

Mark
 
Yup, gentle tapping on outer edge of cap, as you rotate tire will "work" a Bearing Buddy off. Like the freezer idea, too.
 
Yea I did the freezer trick to get them on; there was no way I was going to get them on otherwise. So the consensus is that I'd better not chance it, and redo it? Mark, I didn't understand if you meant that you've done this before (unpacked bearing) and it worked with a Bearing Buddy, or just that you've used Bearing Buddies. Please clarify, thanks
 
I re-read the OP, had missed the part that one of the outer bearings wasn't packed to begin with. I have never put a bearing buddy on with a brand new unpacked bearing.

Mainly depends on how are and what speed you were taking the trailer.

If it was local, short lower speed towing, I think it would probably be ok if you pumped the grease in. Pull the trailer 3-4 miles, then pump it in again. For a bit I would stop occasionally and put my hand on the hub, see if it was heating up. Be ready with more grease until it was pushed all the way in.

If I was getting ready to get on the interstate and pull the trailer 50 miles at highway speeds, I would probably tear back into it and make sure that bearing is starting with grease.

Only way to be sure is take it off and pack the outer bearing by hand.

Have known a lot of people that use them, not just boats but other types of trailers. Never heard of anyone taking one off after it was put on.

Additional notes on installation.

When I install them, I leave them in the freezer overnight. Get everything ready, then take them out of the freezer one at a time. Try to get it started in within a minute or two. Use a block of wood over the bearing buddy and a hammer. Then get the next one ready and do the next wheel.
 
Pull it and be sure. Your brain is already playing, causing you doubt.

Add to that, you are potentially risking a $xx,xxx,xx boat over an hour of time and a dollars worth of grease. Your call but makes no sense to me.

My 2 cents
 
Yep I had to make sure. I removed the Bearing Buddy, started over, and repacked everything. Peace of mind trumps doubt.
 
Potential damage to the axle would be an expensive pain in the...

How do you guys get it to go with a block of wood? Every time I try that, it just sinks into the oak block. I use a flat piece of steel under a wood block.

The freezer Idea is genius. My friend suggested that a couple years ago when I was having trouble pressing them in.
 
Key with the freezer is - overnight - then pull them out one at a time. You lose the benefits of the freezer in a few minutes.

Its ok it sinks in the wood, that's the cushion. With the wood you can use a bigger much more efficient hammer - with good solid hits.

Not sure I can describe it. you don't want to tilt it, but its the one edge getting in and then working around it. If you ever put a tire on a rim manually, just enough to hang it, then work around the edges.

I can see it, I could do it, just not able to put the description into words - sorry,

Mark
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,946
Messages
1,422,783
Members
60,930
Latest member
Ebrown69
Back
Top