losing bearing buddies
Submitted by mako magic on Tue, 2012-03-06 10:09
Recently changed all the bearing on the boat in prep for exmouth, so new bearing fitted packed etc, then cleaned out the bearing buddies packed and refitted them pumped with grease as to specs, only to find i keep losing the right side ones, never had this issue before, still have both left ones just the right side, placed a brand new set the other day which took alot of effort to bang on, only to again come off in the drive back from the ramp.
Anyone else have had this issue and or knows why and how to overcome, it will start to get costly replacing bearing buddies everytime i tow the tow :(
grantarctic1
Posts: 2546
Date Joined: 03/03/11
Stolen ?
I know they sometimes get stolen from the boat ramp carparks,
But have also seen them come off while driving. On my trailer i always knock them in then tack them to the hub with a welder. If i need to get them of i just grind back the small weld an give them a wack with a rubber mallet .
mako magic
Posts: 5785
Date Joined: 03/08/05
nah mate werent stolen, were
nah mate werent stolen, were there when we left the ramp to head home and not there when we came back, the welding sounds like a good idea however how would that go grinding them off on the side of the road if needed lol
grantarctic1
Posts: 2546
Date Joined: 03/03/11
Small tack weld
Yeah true mate, with just two small tack welds on each one you can use a cold chissel to crack the weld first then knock the buddy off.
Another idea is with a hammer , give the sleeve of the buddy a few taps to create a small burr , then knock them in . The burr will help to grip on the inner of the wheel hub. I had to do this to a mates trailer cause i didnt have a welder to use. He was having the same problem and since i did the job 12 months ago they have not come loose .
bluemule
Posts: 97
Date Joined: 14/02/12
Bearing buddies
Hi Mako Magic,
Had the same trouble on our trip back to Sydney from Exmouth.My right rear one came off just before BrokenHill. Cooked the bearing in no time , as all the grease spun out. I have come to the conclusion that the more you pump in, will force them to come lose and fail.Im also traveling back to Exmouth in April. I have left nothing to chance I have replaced everything myself. I have found that the bearing buddies also push the back seal out!Then the sea water buggers the lot. This trip I have lernt that by placing S/Steel hose clamps on the axle stub behind the rear seal, the presure can not force the seal out over the lip. some axles are machined to small. As for the buddies themselfves their in the bin, and I have gone back to gal dust caps.Get yourself a peice of 50mm square gal fencing post and cut it 150mm in length, place it over the buddies and drive them on SQUARE. As I have, and carry it as part of your kit.I need a chisel and hammer to get em back off. We travel 10800km return plus. And the trailer is loaded with 6m platey and gear.
See you in Exi We'll have a beer or two.
Reguards, Jim
big john
Posts: 8751
Date Joined: 20/07/06
Original
I had the cheap chinese versions and they were forever falling out. Eventually replaced them with the real deal and haven't had a problem since.
WA based manufacturer and supplier of premium leadhead jigs, fligs, bucktail jigs, 'bulletproof' soft plastic jig heads and XOS bullet jig heads.
Jigs available online in my web store!
mako magic
Posts: 5785
Date Joined: 03/08/05
yeah mine are the originals
yeah mine are the originals too john, so unsure, and what im wondering is why its only the right side falling off and not the left
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
The hub is probably a
The hub is probably a fraction of a mm larger, happens when the tool doing the machining is a bit blunt or otherwise out.
Setting hubcaps, we use to just open them out a smidge with pliers if they were too lose.
Brock O
Posts: 3229
Date Joined: 11/01/08
Same thing
I had boths set go pritty close together after buyin the boat 07 model, but once replaced thought i would be good for a couple of years.
The left side went again on the weekend with only a five months on the clock, i used the gav caps and like you had to work it before a tight fit was made.
Not sure why one has gone again but feel the bearing is letting go which then pops off the cap.
With only a ten minute drive to the ramp i still constantly keep an eye on the trailer, A long trip would be a concern ATM for me.
NORUN NOFUN
Posts: 1035
Date Joined: 15/08/11
Keep them original
Sorry guys, but I think bearing buddies are a waste of time ! They are just not worth the hassle !
People will argue for their benefits - and a well fitted and maintained bearing buddy will work - but in my opinion, keep your money and implement a regular maintenance program.
I would keep using the galvanised cap that comes with your hubs.
Trailers need to be kept simple- If you use your boat more often, say twice a week, then check your bearings every 3-6 months, and if it's once a week, every 6-12 months.
It is very simple to tell if water/dirt has entered your hub, if this has happened, you will need to strip your hubs down to check bearings, seals and axle.
I worked in Darwin for 7 years and have lost count of the amount of caravans, trailers and campers I have repaired, not to mention the dangerous stories and near misses from the drivers.
Trailer maintenance is simple and most Tafe's run a course - this maybe worth while.
wagyl
Posts: 219
Date Joined: 08/03/09
loktite
The red locktite in a tube for locking nuts etc works well for bearing buddies. I had the same problem on a US trailer and you can't get bearing buddies here to suit, so I just used that and it seems to work.