Source for bearing buddies rubber plug

[Chris1956]

I have a trailer with the rubber plugs that fit in the bearing hub. They may not be bearing buddies, but that are a rubber plug, with a internal groove to seal the dust cover. It looks to be 1-1/8 ID, for a 1500# boar/wave runner trailer. I had bought some years ago, but forget where I got 'em. Anyone have a source.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I get mine from a local trailer place. sturdy built trailer parts.

they have a website

 

[dingbat]

Goggle Part #K71-320-00
Do yourself a favor and buy name brand only.

Bought a box of "no-names" a couple of years ago that didn't last 2 seasons before they dry rotted and cracked. Have not had any issues with Dexter brand

 

[Jeff J]

I think you would be better off to throw what you have in the trash and get plain caps. Bearing buddies and the like cannot replace proper maintenance.

 

[guy48065]

I think you would be better off to throw what you have in the trash and get plain caps. Bearing buddies and the like cannot replace proper maintenance.

The OP is describing the rubber dust seal on a Dexter axel, which makes maintenance easier than a plain steel cap.

 

[Jeff J]

The OP is describing the rubber dust seal on a Dexter axel, which makes maintenance easier than a plain steel cap.

How exactly? I would very much like to see an axle nut removed through the hole for that rubber plug.

 

[Scott Danforth]

How exactly? I would very much like to see an axle nut removed through the hole for that rubber plug.

you obviously never seen a dexter hub then. the spindle is hollow, the grease zerk is on the end. you pump grease, it flushes everything out the front cap. you then replace the cap.

 

[Jeff J]

I have Dexter axles. My question remains and is valid. Pumping a tube of grease through an axle isn’t the same as removing the hub and doesn’t allow for any kind of inspection. I have seen a few axles run until bearing failure because people mistakenly thought all they had to do was pump in a little grease now and then. I was one.

I had a dexter axle fail in less than a year. It was sold attached to a new boat trailer without being properly greased. The axle was warrantied. The replacement wasn’t greased correctly either but I caught it before using it. It took nearly a cartridge to fill the hub. That axle failed bearings regularly for 2 years even though I was greasing them before it was stolen. I even had to replace bearings on a boat ramp once. I picked up a new replacement trailer and found the same lack of grease in the bearings. I haven’t suffered a bearing failure in ten years because I pull and hand pack the bearings regularly. I have replaced bearings but none failed.

Nothing replaces hands on servicing. I got paranoid about it because I was frequently 500+ miles from home.

 

[Chris1956]

I had a lot of trouble finding the plugs. The Dexter part number helped a lot, however, I believe those are too big for my bearing covers, and Dexter did not seem to have a smaller size.

The OEM was Tie Down Engineering Sup-r lube, but without any other markings. ID is 1.18" and OD is 1.6"

Tie Down Engineering looks to have been combined with Dexter for the aftermarket.

I ordered some from amazon. We will see.

 

[airshot]

I have Dexter axles. My question remains and is valid. Pumping a tube of grease through an axle isn’t the same as removing the hub and doesn’t allow for any kind of inspection. I have seen a few axles run until bearing failure because people mistakenly thought all they had to do was pump in a little grease now and then. I was one.

I had a dexter axle fail in less than a year. It was sold attached to a new boat trailer without being properly greased. The axle was warrantied. The replacement wasn’t greased correctly either but I caught it before using it. It took nearly a cartridge to fill the hub. That axle failed bearings regularly for 2 years even though I was greasing them before it was stolen. I even had to replace bearings on a boat ramp once. I picked up a new replacement trailer and found the same lack of grease in the bearings. I haven’t suffered a bearing failure in ten years because I pull and hand pack the bearings regularly. I have replaced bearings but none failed.

Nothing replaces hands on servicing. I got paranoid about it because I was frequently 500+ miles from home.

Because people fail to read the instructions doesn't mean the product is faulty...all the makers of grease hubs that I have ever saw, recommend removal and repack at least every other year. You can't blame the hub cover for peoples stupidity. Been using some form of bearing buddy for over 40 years, only had one issue and that was the BB fell out on the highway and lost all the grease....at highway speeds, bearings don't last long without grease.

 

[Jeff J]

Because people fail to read the instructions doesn't mean the product is faulty...all the makers of grease hubs that I have ever saw, recommend removal and repack at least every other year. You can't blame the hub cover for peoples stupidity. Been using some form of bearing buddy for over 40 years, only had one issue and that was the BB fell out on the highway and lost all the grease....at highway speeds, bearings don't last long without grease.

I agree but If you actually pull the hubs every other year then I think everything else is a waste of money.

Low use trailers are worse. Trailers that sit will have more bearing issues than trailers that are used. Corrosion usually forms where the rollers contact the race first. The only way to get fresh grease in between is to get the wheels spinning or repack by hand.

Something else I do is touch hubs when I stop. A warm hub can indicate a problem. A hot hub is a failure in the making. Mine are usually cool to the touch.

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, Jeff, I disagree with your last statement. 30+ years ago I moved to the water. I use the trailers 2x a year, which I would think is low usage. In those 30+ years, I pumped grease into the bearing buddy and other zerc type hubs hubs in the spring and fall, after launch and recovery. I never repacked the bearings.

Of course, round trip to the launching ramp is about 10 mi, and the boats are off the trailers for the summer.

 

[Jeff J]

If you have never repacked your bearings then how do you know if they are any good?

 

[Jeff J]

Some days I drive 3 miles to launch. Some days I drive 500 miles to launch. If 3 miles was the standard for me then the bearings could be in pretty bad shape and make the trip many times… maybe indefinitely. 500 miles on the other hand, you really don’t want question marks on your hubs when departing on those trips. Changing bearings roadside isn’t fun and usually involves abandoning the boat to buy tools and parts.

 

[dingbat]

I had a lot of trouble finding the plugs. The Dexter part number helped a lot, however, I believe those are too big for my bearing covers, and Dexter did not seem to have a smaller size.

The OEM was Tie Down Engineering Sup-r lube, but without any other markings. ID is 1.18" and OD is 1.6"

They will fit the standard stamped cover

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, Jeff, I know how to check a bearing. No play, no bind, right?

 

[Jeff J]

Gee, Jeff, I know how to check a bearing. No play, no bind, right?

If you are not cleaning and repacking then you are NOT checking a bearing for anything other than total failure.

 

[dingbat]

Changing bearings roadside isn’t fun and usually involves abandoning the boat to buy tools and parts.

Surprised someone so attainment about bearing service doesn't carry a complete hub, ready to install in their tool kit like I do.

Easily put 3,000 - 4,000 miles a year on my trailer. Have never lost a bearing in 30+ years of trailering, knock on wood...lol

Have Super-lube hubs. Remove the rubber caps and inspect for moisture a couple of times a year. Unless I find evidence of water or excessive end play there is no need to tear down any further to inspect. End of season, I pumped in new grease until I get "clean" grease and called it good.

Spent many years designing drive and motion systems for heavy industry. Can tell the condition of a bearing simply by checking end play and a quick listen with a (bearing) stethoscope.

 

[Pmt133]

Mechanics stethoscope is one of the best tools someone can add to the tool box.

 

[Jeff J]

I just hate to see people lulled into a false sense of security like I was. Maybe I am just unlucky. After all, my first failed bearing didn’t last a year from factory new installed. It was catastrophic and destroyed the axle. After that, I was failing bearings even though I was greasing them through the zerk. Didn’t lose anymore axles because I was on the look out.

No need to carry a hub if visually inspecting bearings every year. I even quit carrying spare bearings, races and the tools needed to replace a few years after I quit relying on shortcuts.

Most moisture I have found in the hub has been between the seal and the inner bearing. If a bearing is making noise, it has already failed. I am thinking a person is just lucky it got caught before it went catastrophic.

As previously mentioned by someone else, even those shortcuts recommend tear down on a regular basis. To me, that supports nearly everything I have said on the subject.