DIY drill hubs and add zerks - advice sought

[bigdee]

Re: DIY drill hubs and add zerks - advice sought

THIS! hard to argue with success.... or you could drill n stuff.... Keep in mind tho.... no ez lube or homebrew version of same will stop water intrusion like the BB's will.... drive down the road and bearings get warm creating positive pressure and seeking to leak air past seal and hub cap.... dunk em in cold water and a vacuum is created which wants to pull water in... The bearing buddy keeps positive pressure at all times so water is never pulled in

A++++ Bearing Buddies are a must on any trailer that gets dunked in the water......the theory that smokonthewater stated works, it is just as simple as that.

 

[BlueLightSpecial]

Re: DIY drill hubs and add zerks - advice sought

The zerks are not a bad idea...I use them on new hubs for the initial greasing (I still hand pack the bearings) but beyond that they don't really serve a purpose. I think re-packing bearings is overkill,especially if you use the BBs. A good trick is to use aluminum complex white food grade grease. It is expensive but will out perform any other grease you can buy. It will prevent rust and corrosion if water does does get in.

To some people, repacking once a year is overkill, however, I bought a used trailer some years ago. On the way home, I had a bearing failure, that destroyed the spindle of the axle, to the point that the new bearing had way too much play on the rough spindle. Luckily there was a tractor supply at the next exit of the interstate. Had to change the axle on the side of the interstate. Let me tell you, that was not fun. From that point on, I repack all my trailers every year. Guess I do it for peace of mind. BTW, all have buddies on them.

 

[90stingray]

Re: DIY drill hubs and add zerks - advice sought

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200466888_200466888

I believe this ^^ is what the OP is wanting to accomplish (look at the second picture) These are some retrofit hubs... these could be put on any axle. They are similar to the ez lube hub/axle as the way they work by pushing grease thru the bearings. I think one could attempt to drill and tap the hubs but you will need to pull them and clean/debur. There's also the chance that you drill them in the wrong location... My Singray with Oklahoma tailer has bearing buddies and the Glastron with EZ loader has the ex lube axle w/ factory drilled spindles. They both work just fine. Goodluck!

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: DIY drill hubs and add zerks - advice sought

Well I cant speak on long term on the EZ lube hubs have only had the trailer one year, but bearing buddies do work very well the other trailers I have owned had those and never had a failed bearing but did the once a year repack and I would give them a shot before dunking. My new trailer dose have the EZ lube system and after about 20 launches it sure was nice to change and repack the hubs in about 10 minutes just to make sure. Trailer bearing is one of those subjects that ever one views differently. Personally I don't want to change being stuck beside of the road I mostly travel in rural areas , and I would have to drop the boat to go and find repair stuff , and the odds are it would be stripped when I get back. So in my case its just protecting my stuff.

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: DIY drill hubs and add zerks - advice sought

I have BB's on both boat tlrs and love them. The main thing new BB owners need to realize is if you don't keep the spring pressure on the grease it's the same as no BB's.
Mike

 

[BlueLightSpecial]

Re: DIY drill hubs and add zerks - advice sought

I have BB's on both boat tlrs and love them. The main thing new BB owners need to realize is if you don't keep the spring pressure on the grease it's the same as no BB's.
Mike

++++1 agree!

 

[stopher]

Re: DIY drill hubs and add zerks - advice sought

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200466888_200466888

I believe this ^^ is what the OP is wanting to accomplish (look at the second picture) These are some retrofit hubs... these could be put on any axle. They are similar to the ez lube hub/axle as the way they work by pushing grease thru the bearings. I think one could attempt to drill and tap the hubs but you will need to pull them and clean/debur. There's also the chance that you drill them in the wrong location... My Singray with Oklahoma tailer has bearing buddies and the Glastron with EZ loader has the ex lube axle w/ factory drilled spindles. They both work just fine. Goodluck!

gotta love the Stingray ! i have a 656zp with 5.7l and alpha1Gen2. Zooming boat !
bought it and NO PROBLEMS for 5 years. The trailer has required TLC.

actually, I need to reseal the outdrive and am a little scared to do it...although i believe i know how. so long as I don't have to deal with backlash, It will be easy.
I'll have to do the bell housing seals/bellows/gimbal too.

i think i'll do the drillNzerk DIY regardless. I've lost a couple of BB and am tired of expensive replacement.
OTOH, I did see someone tie wire to their rims to hold the BB in, but that will probably look ugly.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: DIY drill hubs and add zerks - advice sought

has anyone drilled their trailer hubs near the inner race and added zerks ?

i am thinking of doing this to minimize the frequency of annual hub rebuilds on my dual axle boat trailer.

Yes many people have and it works nice, you do have to take them apart when you drill and clean any shavings out add the zerks, but after thats its a flush with grease, or you can ever buy hubs all ready set up is you want.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200466888_200466888

 

[LilRedNeckGirl]

Re: DIY drill hubs and add zerks - advice sought

Bearing buddies.
In general they work good.
I would say NO NO NO to drilling a hub or spindle to add a zerk. you remove metal when you drill a hole, and that removes strength. hubs and spindles are critical in regards to mfg rateings on what load they can carry. you go drilling holes and you might induce failure of the part.
if your concerned about grease, install bearing buddies, but , Expect at some point, that they will blow out the rear seal. I would suggest caution when installing them on trailers with brakes. the grease sling from a broken seal will null the brakes.
Trailers and boating in general is a 3 season running the poop outta your rig, then one season going over it and fixing and maintaining it.
Bearing service is and should be a yearly 'chore' for any trailer. A good quality axle needs grease once a year. If you tow an excess distance, then do it twice. Its a few hours at best and a tub of grease is only a few bucks. One reason God made rainey days.
We switch all our dust caps to the rubber bra variety. They form a better seal. WE are also fortunate to have zerks built into the spindle from the mfg. We still pull the hubs and inspect/replace the bearings as needed or at least put an eye on them yearly.
trailers and boats are water toys... water and metal = rust. add salt to the mix and you multaply X 10.
then factor in your safety, the value of your boat, and what you would give,. not to be broken down on the side of the road on a Sunday evening 60 miles from home....
Hence, nix the dependance on bearing buddies and do it by the book, like the MFG suggests , at least as often as they recomend...