Bearing Buddy falls out

[Guest]

I just installed new bearings and new grease on my trailer. I also installed new Bearing Buddies. On my first trip of about five miles, the Bearing Buddy on one wheel was gone when I arrived at my destination. When I installed it, it was a tight fit. I had the use a hammer and a wood block to press it in and fully seat it. Why would it come out so soon? I am hesitant to install another one and leave it on the side of the road with the other one.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Bearing Buddy falls out

My guess is maybe you tightened the bearings too much and the hub expanded enough from the heat to let it work out.Put in another and
put the "hadlymans secret weapon duct tape" to catch it if it falls out and of course check it often.You might do a search.It seems this was discussed some time ago.I don't recall if there was a solution.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bearing Buddy falls out

I was having problems with Buddy Bearings coming off when I switched to new hubs. The new hubs were slightly larger, apparently. I switched to Fulton's and now they stay on. If you do a search come people have had success dimpling the surface that goes into the hub with a hammer and punch.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Bearing Buddy falls out

WOW! This happened to me last year! I put new bearings in, put the bearing buddies on, and then a week or so later went up north. When I got to the lake I noticed that both Bearing Buddies were gone. I ended up buying a new set once I got home. I put them on the same way and they've stayed put ever since.

Maybe this is a common problem?

 

[tommays]

Re: Bearing Buddy falls out

The hubs "should" BE 1.920 for example

BUT in the real world there all over the place


Like bruce i ejected bearing buddies and had NO problem with the Fulton all SS units

 

[djvan]

Re: Bearing Buddy falls out

After you install them jack up the wheel and put a 4x4 or similar next to the wheel, the 4x4 has to be long enough to reach the buddy while resting on the floor. Once you get it like this spin the wheel while moving the block as close to the buddy as you can. When it gets close watch the buddy to be sure it is running "true". If not keep wacking it until it runs true. (I hope this makes sense, it's hard to explain, but if you are familiar with big truck wheels it's the same principal used to make them run true)

While this won't ensure that they stay on, it helps. Also I've heard of people using red locktite and glueing them in. Also heard of drilling holes and using set screws to help.

Do a search on bearing buddies and I'm sure lots will turn up.

DougV>

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Bearing Buddy falls out

I've lost 3 of 4 bearing buddies the same way... after they were verified to be the right size.

Next time I'll try the fulton units.

Erik

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Bearing Buddy falls out

Small centre punch and a hammer will squeeze a little out to keep them in place.

 

[Eddie P]

Re: Bearing Buddy falls out

I'm trying to visualize the center punch and hammer trick. Could you discribe what you do there :redface: I lost two bearing buddies on my last trip, replacements have stayed put so far, but for how long I'm not gonna guess.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Bearing Buddy falls out

Only pump enough grease in them till the disk comes off it's spring seat, if you pump them up all the way the grease hydraulicly pushes them out of the hub as it heats up? I don't know but it sounded good.

 

[GatorMike]

Re: Bearing Buddy falls out

My guess is maybe you tightened the bearings too much and the hub expanded enough from the heat to let it work out.

I was thinking too tight or too loose either one might cause the problem.

 

[redfury]

Re: Bearing Buddy falls out

Only pump enough grease in them till the disk comes off it's spring seat, if you pump them up all the way the grease hydraulicly pushes them out of the hub as it heats up? I don't know but it sounded good.

I've lost one bearing buddy for this very reason. The other one didn't fall off because the rear seal leaked. DON'T OVERFILL YOUR BUDDIES! ( unless of course, it's beer and food you are using )

 

[El Matador]

Re: Bearing Buddy falls out

This may sound like a simple question, but what do the bearing buddies do? I noticed them on my recently bought trailer but have no clue what they do.

-Chris

 

[Pony]

Re: Bearing Buddy falls out

This may sound like a simple question, but what do the bearing buddies do? I noticed them on my recently bought trailer but have no clue what they do.

-Chris

The spring keeps 2-3psi acting on the grease which supposedly keeps water out of the hubs when you submerge them at launch. They also keep dirt and debri off the bearings, but any bearing cover will do that.

I have them on my trailer too, and like others have said its very important to not overfill them or else you will blow out the rear axel seals.

Even though the manufacture will tell you that you will never have to repack your bearings, I still take mine out every few years and inspect/repack them.....then put the buddies back on and add grease until full per the manufacture specs.

 

[El Matador]

Re: Bearing Buddy falls out

Ok that makes sense, do they have "hub caps" on the bearing buddies because I can see the spring. Just seems like somethings missing.

 

[srothfuss]

Re: Bearing Buddy falls out

You can pick up a little rubber cap to go over the spring area of the buddy at the local trailer parts store. They aren't really needed, the piston on the buddy keeps the water outside and the spring shouldn't be too unhappy about getting wet. [not thinking about saltwater]

I've given up on bearing buddies and plan to switch back to "dust caps." They do work, but at the same time - I have gotten into the habbit of repacking my bearings once a year and it's easier to pull a dust cap than pound that bearing buddy on and off all the time. Another reason to not overfill your bearing buddy [as I learned] is it makes a mess of grease on the outer bearing. Which makes repacking a little messy.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Bearing Buddy falls out

Its a good idea to remove, disassemble, clean and reassemble your bearing buddies every year or so. Sand and fine grit can work its way into the piston and cause it so jam, defeating the whole point of the bearing buddy.

I noticed that the BB covers dissapear off my trailers after a day or two of being on vacation. Guess they are just too darn attractive to some folks to resist. So now its just heavy plastic sheet and rubber bands. Funny how that stays on.

I have heard of people wrapping the edge of the BB with electric tape before driving them on. Supposedly prevents BB from working loose.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Bearing Buddy falls out

I'm trying to visualize the center punch and hammer trick. Could you discribe what you do there :redface: I lost two bearing buddies on my last trip, replacements have stayed put so far, but for how long I'm not gonna guess.

Not for plastic BB's but for the metal ones:
You need an old style anvil with a horn or pointy part. Or a hunk of something round that will fit inside the backend of the BB and can be clamped in a vise or to a work bench.
Also a centerpunch and a hammer. Put the inside of the BB on the horn or bar. Use a center punch on the outside surface of the BB that you don't see when it is installed. Center punch that surface with punches about every 1/2" or so around the perimeter.
Those centerpunch marks will upset some of the metal creating little teeth that will help the BB bite into the hub when installed.

Also works on those sheet metal dust caps versus BB's on hubs. But you want to do the center punching from inside the dust cap.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Bearing Buddy falls out

One of the problems is that if you let the bearing buddy get cocked in the hole when you're driving it on, then "straighten" it the last couple of blows, It's out of round and undersized, or the hub is distorted the other way. Then it's bound to fall out.

I have a feeling they can disappear with the five finger discount. I could see brats wacking them off for the hellovit also.

 

[Eddie P]

Re: Bearing Buddy falls out

...Also works on those sheet metal dust caps versus BB's on hubs. But you want to do the center punching from inside the dust cap.

Great, thanks for that.