How do I replace broken zerks?

shep247

Seaman
Joined
Jun 16, 2007
Messages
61
I recently tried to grease my bearings through the zerks in the center of my wheels. Both sides had issues. The first side, (the on shown in my links) acted as though the center BB in the zerk was stuck in, and when I pulled the grease gun off, grease came out of the center hole. On the second side, the zerk actually stuck to the grease gun, and pulled out of the hub.

A few questions about this.
1) I'm trying to figure out what system I have on this trailer. I don't think these are bearing buddies. Is that correct?
2) If they aren't bearing buddies, what is the proper way to maintain these bearings?
3) I assume I can just replace the zerk that has the stuck bb by removing it and replacing it with a new one like a screw. Is that correct?
4) How do I replace the one that came out? When it came out, it looked like it had been completely stripped. Do I need to tap a larger threaded hole and get a larger zerk, or is there more to it than this?

Here are links to a couple of pictures of the zerk that didn't fall out.

http://picasaweb.google.com/shep247/20100612TrailerHub#5481957009728852834

http://picasaweb.google.com/shep247/20100612TrailerHub#5481957015903536754

Thanks,
shep
 

Rocky_Road

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 8, 2008
Messages
1,798
Re: How do I replace broken zerks?

That is some derivative of the Bearing Buddy system...the spring against the plate holding the zerk is a dead giveaway!

That means that it can be replaced as a unit...I just don't know if a Bearing Buddy will be an exact replacement. It also means that you can eliminate them, and replace them with a standard dust cap and service your bearings in the old fashioned way.

What brand trailer is this?

Happy boating!
 

shep247

Seaman
Joined
Jun 16, 2007
Messages
61
Re: How do I replace broken zerks?

its a Four Winns trailer from about 1991. That's good to hear that I should be able to just remove these things and possibly replace them with something else. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get these off, and what to put on afterwards?

I'd really rather not have to pack these bearings "the old fashioned way" ;)
 

dockwrecker

Lieutenant
Joined
Mar 10, 2006
Messages
1,392
Re: How do I replace broken zerks?

Easier just to replace the bearing buddy caps. NAPA and Valley both make the same thing for about 25$. If you're in salt water, Bearing Buddy makes a stainless model for about 45$. They're pretty much universal, the package will say "fits 1.98 dia hub" typically. Tap the old ones off with a hammer and beat the new ones in with a dead blow hammer or a block of wood to cushion the hammer blows.
 

shep247

Seaman
Joined
Jun 16, 2007
Messages
61
Re: How do I replace broken zerks?

Awesome! You guys are great. I wasn't sure if those were actually bearing buddies because that outside cylinder around them made the pictures look different than any I'd ever seen. With your assurance, I went ahead and started knocking them off,and off they came. I'll have it good to go by the end of the day.

Thanks guys,
shep
 

Rocky_Road

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 8, 2008
Messages
1,798
Re: How do I replace broken zerks?

Awesome! You guys are great. I wasn't sure if those were actually bearing buddies because that outside cylinder around them made the pictures look different than any I'd ever seen. With your assurance, I went ahead and started knocking them off,and off they came. I'll have it good to go by the end of the day.

Thanks guys,
shep

That's great!

My guess is that outer cylinder is a trim item that comes off when you remove the wheel...if it does, it will make your life a whole lot easier!

Be prepared, though...someone will read this thread and post that Bearing Buddies were never designed to replace traditional bearing packing...and they will be dead on. Go to their website and do some reading, even similar products will take the same precautions.

Happy boating!
 

security6

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 21, 2008
Messages
191
Re: How do I replace broken zerks?

Be prepared, though...someone will read this thread and post that Bearing Buddies were never designed to replace traditional bearing packing...and they will be dead on. Go to their website and do some reading, even similar products will take the same precautions.

Happy boating!

I'm curious about this statement. I looked at the bearing buddy website (www.bearingbuddy.com) and it doesn't say anything about that. In fact, on the "Frequently Asked Questions" page, question #3 says they don't recommend inspecting the bearings more than once every 5 years, provided the grease level in the hub has been properly maintained. Can you elaborate a little more?
 
Joined
Mar 29, 2010
Messages
53
Re: How do I replace broken zerks?

Both my zerks pulled out with the grease gun, so I removed the snap ring & took out the plate they are attached to, & put a nut on the zerk behind the plate. Never a problem since.
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,587
Re: How do I replace broken zerks?

I'd really rather not have to pack these bearings "the old fashioned way" ;)
Doesn't matter if you have Bearing Buddies or not, you still pack bearings the old fashined way. The Bearing Buddy's only purpose in life is to put a slight positive pressure in the hub.
 

ddrieck

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 12, 2007
Messages
666
Re: How do I replace broken zerks?

Doesn't matter if you have Bearing Buddies or not, you still pack bearings the old fashined way. The Bearing Buddy's only purpose in life is to put a slight positive pressure in the hub.

Actually, the bearing buddies are designed to prolong the service internal between inspection and repacking. Repacking the old fashioned way is still needed but can be done over a longer time span.

I used to inspect and repack yearly. Ever since I started using bearing buddies years ago I now inspect and repack on a three year rotation. You could go with there recommendation of "five" but I like the three year myself.
 
Top