Adjustable? How? Curious. I really have to tug to get them loose. My Bearing Buddy came apart I think, because I used the outer rim against which I wedged my grease gun to make it come loose. Loose it came along with the bearing buddy.
As usual, misfortunes such as this always present a learning opportunity. The entire assembly consists of just four parts, the body, a spring, the blue insert thingy, and that 'c' clip that holds it together. I'm guessing that guys with the right tools have something that fits into the two holds on the 'c' clip that allows one to compress it to make getting it back into position very simple. Lacking such a tool, I just stuck one of the 'c' clip tabs into position, then used a screw driver to force the other one in, then, used the screw driver to wedge in the "back" of the 'c' into position, job done.
The most difficult part of this little 5-minute lube job turned into several hours was getting the body of the buddy out of the hub. Fortunately for me, I was able to browse this forum for advice, and the easiest way to get it out was just to use a screw driver and mallet to achieve a slight separation between the buddy and the hub, then a the claw of a hammer to slightly widen that gap, and finally, "gentle" blows to the buddy to rock it back and forth until it finally fell off.
If i had clocked the actual time spent working on this (minus time searching the net contemplating whether to just buy new or repair), then the whole process probably took no more than an hour including the time I spent actually pumping grease through that buddy and the one on the opposite side.
I was really surprised to see how basic and simple the design of these Bearing Buddies.
I have read many a post about their use. Some swear by them (myself included). Others stress that you still need to occasionally pull your bearings, inspect, and repack by hand.
I bought this trailer with my boat back in 1994. Installed these Bearing Buddies that year and have religiously gently pumped grease into them a few times each season. I have pulled my rig over sort distances and long (Philadelphia to Dayton, OH and back), and have never experienced a bearing issue.Perhaps, just for fun and an extra measure of caution, I should pull and replace those bearings, as nothing lasts for ever (although most of my stuff seams to).
You who have so informatively responded need read nothing of what I have typed, as you know it already. Maybe someone newer to the game will read this and get some benefit from it.
Love this forum, love my rig, have total respect for my 'buddies'.
Caruso
