Converting from Sure-Lube to Bearing Buddy

[Salty Tricks]

I have Sure-Lube bearing caps on my Tidewater. Is it possible to convert to Bearing Buddies? Is this possible or unwise?

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Converting from Sure-Lube to Bearing Buddy

just pop off the sure lube caps and put your bearing buddys on, the sure lube caps on mine(plastic) had hairline cracks. I like the metal bearing buddys much better.

 

[Salty Tricks]

Re: Converting from Sure-Lube to Bearing Buddy

I was wondering if I had to change the seals on the hub. Apparently the seals for the Sure Lube system use a "transcom" brand seal. I don't know if the fact that the Sure Lube is a non pressurized system opposed to the Bearing Buddy being spring pressurized makes the difference with hub seals.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Converting from Sure-Lube to Bearing Buddy

All I know is the sure lube system on my trailer had nothing but a plastic bearing cap with the grease zerk and it developed little cracks to where when I pumped grease to it the cracks would open up and bleed grease, I replaced the plastic cap with a steel one, I take back whatever I said before because it wasn't a spring loaded buddy cap but just a plain steel one with a zerk.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Converting from Sure-Lube to Bearing Buddy

The Sure Lube caps on my EZ Loader trailer have the spring inside much like a bearing buddy, only the spring and seal are internal in the very end of the cap. They do make a metal cap to fit those but only for the one size. I've seen stainless caps on a few. I believe only the 1.98" size comes in a steel cap as an option.

http://www.championtrailers.com/dust_caps.html

Cutaway view of plastic cap as on my trailer, these are made by Fulton and look identical to the original ones.

http://www.iboats.com/mall/image/vendor/16/big/40532.gif