Bearing Buddies: Effective Solution For Boat Trailers?

Bearing Buddies are wheel bearing protectors that help prevent bearing failure on boat trailers and provide proper lubrication. They are designed to keep pressure on the grease inside the axle hub, preventing water and dust from getting in. This is especially important for boat trailers that are used in saltwater environments or are driven frequently on highways. Bearing Buddies are easy to install and can save you from expensive repairs and constant maintenance. They are a popular choice for boat owners, with millions sold worldwide, and have received positive reviews for their quality, ease of installation, and value for money.

Bearing Buddy®: The original wheel bearing protector

Bearing Buddy® is the original wheel bearing protector, manufactured since 1963. It is a high-quality product that protects your trailer, hubs, and axles. With millions of Bearing Buddies sold worldwide, it is a trusted product that guarantees safe trips and protection for your investment.

Bearing Buddy® prevents wheel bearing failure on boat, snowmobile, ATV, horse, RV, and utility trailers. It is designed to replace original equipment dust caps to allow for the addition of bearing grease to the wheel hub, maintaining proper lubrication, and providing corrosion protection. The bearing protector caps keep road dirt out and grease splatter in, while the automatic pressure relief feature prevents over-filling and over-pressurization.

Bearing Buddy® is made from high-quality stainless steel for durability and can be easily installed for convenient use. It comes in various sizes to fit different wheel covers, ensuring a perfect fit and tight grip. The blue ring acts as a visual lubricant level indicator inside the hub, making it easy to monitor the grease level.

Bearing Buddy® is an economical and long-lasting solution for bearing protection. It saves you time and money by eliminating the need for constant maintenance and expensive repairs. With Bearing Buddy®, you can have peace of mind while on the road or in the water, knowing that your bearings are well-protected.

Bearing Buddy®: Easy to install

Bearing Buddy® is an easy-to-install solution for your trailer's bearings. It is a simple and economical way to protect your bearings and save you from serious mechanical problems.

Before installing the Bearing Buddy®, it is important to inspect your bearings and seals. Check for any damage, rust, or pitting on the bearings and replace them if necessary. Clean the hubs, removing any old grease and contaminants. Ensure the inner seals are in good condition and running smoothly on the spindle sealing surface.

When you are ready to install the Bearing Buddy®, follow these steps:

• Fill the hubs with a high-quality, multipurpose, No.2 grade lubricant. Do not use heavy, fibrous greases, and avoid mixing grease types.
• Hold the Bearing Buddy® against the hub with a small block of wood.
• Drive it into place with a hammer. Use light taps until the Bearing Buddy® is securely in place.
• If you are installing the Model 1980T (threaded), apply grease-proof gasket cement to the threads before screwing it into the hub by hand.

It is important to note that if the Bearing Buddy® does not fit tightly into the hub, do not force it. Contact your dealer for assistance.

Once installed, the Bearing Buddy® will keep pressure on the grease inside the axle hub, preventing water and dust from getting in. This will help maintain proper lubrication and protect your bearings from failure.

With its simple installation process and effective performance, the Bearing Buddy® is a great choice for anyone looking to protect their trailer bearings and ensure safe trips.

Bearing Buddy®: Proper lubrication

Bearing Buddy® is a wheel bearing protector that prevents bearing failure on trailers and provides proper lubrication. It also comes with a vinyl cover that fits over the GBB® to contain excess grease from dropping on wheels.

The axle hub is filled with grease until the grease forces the Bearing Buddy® piston outward by about 1/8 inch. The piston is spring-loaded, and as a result, it exerts a slight pressure of 3 PSI against the grease, which maintains a slight pressure between the inside of the hub and the outside environment. This pressure prevents water from entering the hub when submerged. An automatic pressure relief feature prevents over-filling and over-pressurization.

Grease can be added to the hub through a grease fitting located in the centre of the piston. The lubricant level and pressure can be checked by pressing on the edge of the moveable piston. If the piston can be rocked or moved, the hub is properly filled.

Bearing Buddy® is made with steel and is triple chrome-plated. Internal parts are made of stainless steel, and it is also available with a stainless steel barrel for maximum corrosion protection.

Proper lubrication is key to keeping your motor running correctly. Lubrication separates rolling surfaces to reduce wear, removes excess heat generated by friction, acts as a barrier to contaminants, provides corrosion inhibition, and helps retain rolling elements during assembly. More than 50% of all bearing failure is due to improper lubrication.

There are two types of lubricants on the market: oil and grease. In most cases, it is best to follow the bearing manufacturer's recommendations. However, as a general rule, bearings run coolest and with the least amount of friction when a minimum amount of the lightest-bodied lubricant is used.

Oil lubricants are generally used for high-speed or high-temperature applications that require heat transfer away from working surfaces. The four types of oils commonly used include petroleum oils, diesters, silicones, and fluorocarbons.

While oil is used for some bearing applications, grease is the lubricant of choice for 80 to 90 percent of bearings. Grease adheres to bearing surfaces better than oil, has a longer lifespan, and is less likely to run off or be ejected from rotating parts. It can also be pre-lubricated, which means less maintenance in the future.

Bearing Buddy®: Customer reviews

Bearing Buddy® has been manufacturing wheel bearing protectors since 1963 and has sold millions of them worldwide. The product is designed to prevent wheel bearing failure on boat, snowmobile, ATV, horse, RV, and utility trailers.

The following reviews have been extracted from Amazon.com:

Positive reviews

"The Original and Premier Brand is still the Best! There are imitators of respectable quality, but why bother. This is the real thing for a few dollars more. Bearing Buddy has maintained their quality. I maintain 14 trailers for myself and my charity. I would recommend them as a good investment on any trailer, marine or otherwise. In marine use, Bearing Buddies should be pumped with grease until full, before and after each submersion. Any evidence of water being ejected means the seals are bad and should be replaced before any extended mileage on the trailer. If properly maintained, with bearing buddies, the bearings will last indefinitely."

"*Bearing buddies never disappoint*. Milled to the correct size every time makes for easy install. I bought an off-brand that said they were the same size but they would not fit my hub at all. Purchased the Buddy brand and they fit perfect and installed in about 5 seconds."

"I've been through 3 axles on the same trailer in 3 years, because my employees and I can't seem to remember to check the grease often enough. Don't know why I didn't put a set of these on after the first time! D'oh! For all those who have trouble getting these on, just line them up nice and straight, put a block of wood on top, then use a 3# sledgehammer to drive them home. A nice tight fit means that these won't fall off on the highway."

Critical reviews

"These do not come with new dust covers. The Bearing Buddies themselves are great. I got these to replace the ones that were on my boat trailer. Not difficult to put on. I used a block of wood to protect the edges. Just take your time."

"I bought these to replace a Bearing Buddy that flew off my popup camper about 10 minutes into our trip after installing them. I may have made the mistake of greasing the mating surface between the Bearing Buddy and the hub – something the folks at BB confirmed should not be done. Wish me luck!"

Bearing Buddy®: Alternative products

Bearing Buddy® is a well-known brand of bearing protectors, but there are other similar products available on the market. One alternative is the UFP Trailer Buddy, which offers bearing grease protectors and press-in cover caps. Kodiak also offers XL Prolube Kits for trailer wheels, which are similar to the Bearing Buddy® in that they provide lubrication and protection for bearings.

In addition to these options, there are other bearing protector products available from various manufacturers. For example, Shadow Trailer Parts offers a range of bearing protectors, including the Vault Trailer Wheel Bearing Protector and the Trailer Buddy Grease Cap. These products are designed to protect bearings from water, dust, and other contaminants, similar to the Bearing Buddy®.

When choosing an alternative to Bearing Buddy®, it is important to consider the specific requirements of your trailer and the environment in which it will be used. For example, if your trailer is used in saltwater environments or driven frequently on highways, you will need a bearing protector that can withstand corrosion and provide enhanced protection from contaminants.

It is also important to ensure that the alternative product you choose is compatible with your trailer's bearings and hubs. Bearing protectors come in various sizes, so you will need to match the product to your trailer's specifications. By considering these factors, you can find an alternative to Bearing Buddy® that provides the necessary protection and performance for your trailer.

Frequently asked questions