Bearing/Hub protection.

[memo]

Hi all,
I 've seen these two little devices which seemed pretty to me.

1st one is something like this which allows you to insert grease in the bearing chamber for further protection.



and the other one is for creating an airtight chamber to prevent water in.





Do you think it worths a go?
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...004000_200-4-3

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...004000_200-4-3

[Mollers]

The top pic shows 'Bearing Buddies', superb items. I have them on my trailer. I stripped the hubs down this week, the brake shoes were shot to bits, the bearings were perfect.

[jyasaki]

I've heard of the positive pressure oil filled things, but usually in connection with problems.

Bearing Buddies work pretty well as long as you don't try to overfill them.

To use them correctly, pack your bearings as normal. Fill the inside reservoir of the Bearing Buddy with more grease (this will be at the slack position), and install on the hub (a piece of 2x4 and a mallet should help keep it lined up.) Then, using a grease gun, add grease to the nipple until the cover plate is a little shy of topping out on the outer rim. If you pump more than that in, you will blow out the rear grease seal, opening up an avenue for grease to get out and water to get in. The extra space can be considered expansion space, as well. Use a cover on the BB to keep the grease nipple clean (or cleanish, I guess.)

One other thing I do is monitor the hub temps while towing. Get a remote infrared temperature gauge (about $40 at Radio Shack) and shoot the exterior of the hub whenever you stop. They should not get any hotter than warm to the touch. Mine usually run right around 100 degrees F. A rise in temp means someting is causing friction in there somewhere, and needs to be looked at as soon as possible.

Luck;

jky

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Get a remote infrared temperature gauge (about $40 at Radio Shack) and shoot the exterior of the hub whenever you stop. They should not get any hotter than warm to the touch. Mine usually run right around 100 degrees F. A rise in temp means someting is causing friction in there somewhere, and needs to be looked at as soon as possible.

Luck;

jky

I knew I had something missing in my life. You wont believe it, but i've been using my fingers all these years!

[MikeCC]

Yes, but there's some places you'd rather not use your fingers to find out the temperature!

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by MikeCC

Yes, but there's some places you'd rather not use your fingers to find out the temperature!

Yeah, but I also have my fingers hard-wired to my brain.

What is this? Boating for morons?!!

[Chris]

[ian parkes]

:rolf:


i have been looking for some bearing buddies but can't find a uk supplier .

Found these www.kestrelwheelbuddies.co.uk which look ok .I Like the idea of the pressure relief valve do BB's have one .

As for the pressurised item it looks like a lot of hassle and I can't see it working for long.

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

i have been looking for some bearing buddies but can't find a uk supplier .

Try 'bearing savers' in google.

And they do have a pressure relief hole.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

:rolf:


i have been looking for some bearing buddies but can't find a uk supplier .

Found these www.kestrelwheelbuddies.co.uk which look ok .I Like the idea of the pressure relief valve do BB's have one .

As for the pressurised item it looks like a lot of hassle and I can't see it working for long.

When you get your hands on a pair, you'll suss how they work. As with many ideas, simple but effective.

[three-rex]

Indespension stock them

[Nasher]

Originally Posted by three-rex

Indespension stock them

They do indeed, and are even a reasonable price compared with a new set of bearings every season.

Nasher

[RibinSpain]

I have just looked at Indespension website for bearing buddies. Is it one size fits all? it quotes a 50.25mm diam, would these fit my Bramber Rollercoater trailor? if so, seems a good idea & I´ll pick some up on next visit.

Cheers all

[Red Fox]

no get in touch with the trailer manufacturer and ask where to get the right ones from. They are all slightly different. My snipe would not take an indespension set...snipe ones cost about £20

[ian parkes]

Cheers JW I had been searching for "bearing buddy"and all it cam up with was american suppliers .
bearing saver took me to indispension site and others .

My hub is 50.25mm but it is indispension . The kestrel site required a vernier measurement and said there were lots of different sizes .

My trailer is nearly new probably only been dunked half a dozen times and the grease in the hub is allready looking like coffee creme

[Daveboy 71]

Talk to the guy at Kestrel as he lots of advice to offer. If you send him your grease cap he will fit the bearing buddy to your exact size. Basically it is a very good piece of kit and the pressure release valve ensures you do not blow out the back seal with too many pumps of the grease gun -fully recommended!

[ian parkes]

I see the indispension site also has a heavy duty seal for use with the bearing saver , Gota go find out what size hub I have now , I guess they are worth fitting for the sake of a few quid .

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

I see the indispension site also has a heavy duty seal for use with the bearing saver , Gota go find out what size hub I have now , I guess they are worth fitting for the sake of a few quid .

Dust off yer 'Hernia' Calliper.

[ian parkes]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Dust off yer 'Hernia' Calliper.

Just done that to check the cap size , best I ring them and quote the trailer model tomorrow , easier than takin the wheels off .

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by Mollers

I knew I had something missing in my life. You wont believe it, but i've been using my fingers all these years!

That works, up until you get a bearing that is failing. Then you can't check again until your fingers heal.

jky