Source for bearing buddies rubber plug

[Chris1956]

Jeff, you seem to say that a bearing cannot be checked for proper operation, unless it is pulled and repacked? Did I get that correct?

I am not sure what you do, but after packing and installing a bearing, I check for play and binding. If you cannot adjust the nut on the spindle to a position where the bearing has zero play and zero binding, it is bad. If you can adjust it as such, it is good.

Periodically you should check the bearing for zero play and zero binding. If is passes, it is good. If it binds or has some play, it is time to pull and likely replace it and its races and grease seal.

I have been packing and replacing bearings and pulling trailers for 50+ years. I did have an axle break once, a shackle break once and several leaf springs break, but the bearings worked just fine, and I had lousy trailers in my teens and 20's, hence the breakages.

Clearly if you have a concern about the condition of your bearings, pull and inspect them, and be prepared to replace 'em.

 

[Jeff J]

Jeff, you seem to say that a bearing cannot be checked for proper operation, unless it is pulled and repacked? Did I get that correct?

I have been packing and replacing bearings and pulling trailers for 50+ years.

No. I said you cannot get a good inspection unless you pull and clean. Once it has started failing in operation, a catastrophic failure is next. Possibly taking out the axle in the process. I have caught bad bearings by jacking, shaking and spinning but I much prefer keeping them from getting that close to destroying an axle. Any heat in the hub will indicate a problem before a problem can be felt or heard. A visual inspection can prevent problems from ever forming.

That makes 2 of us.

 

[airshot]

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

They don't go bad just sitting there....adding a couple squirts of grease every so often lets you see if there is any water inside....if so, you need a repack and seals. My boat gets used once a week from May thru Nov....in my 40 years of using some form of bearing buddy, never have had any rusted bearings.

 

[Jeff J]

They don't go bad just sitting there....adding a couple squirts of grease every so often lets you see if there is any water inside....if so, you need a repack and seals. My boat gets used once a week from May thru Nov....in my 40 years of using some form of bearing buddy, never have had any rusted bearings.

Aah but they can go bad just sitting there. If you have never disassembled them then you have not seen the lines the rollers leave on the races or you did not realize those lines are corrosion. It doesn’t necessarily condemn the bearing on the spot but they are going bad “just sitting there”. I have seen it bad enough a fingernail could catch the line. I don’t let them get much worse than that.

 

[airshot]

Aah but they can go bad just sitting there. If you have never disassembled them then you have not seen the lines the rollers leave on the races or you did not realize those lines are corrosion. It doesn’t necessarily condemn the bearing on the spot but they are going bad “just sitting there”. I have seen it bad enough a fingernail could catch the line. I don’t let them get much worse than that.

We pulled neighbors trailer out of the weeds after sitting for over 20 years unused. Tires were rotten, pulled the hubs and bearings had no corrosion at all. Repacked and ready to roll....you hat was last spring, approx 200 miles on them since. You might be in a salt water atmosphere with your corrosion issues, around here we are all fresh water and do not experience excess corrosion unless horrible maintenence....

 

[Jeff J]

We pulled neighbors trailer out of the weeds after sitting for over 20 years unused. Tires were rotten, pulled the hubs and bearings had no corrosion at all. Repacked and ready to roll....you hat was last spring, approx 200 miles on them since. You might be in a salt water atmosphere with your corrosion issues, around here we are all fresh water and do not experience excess corrosion unless horrible maintenence....

Oklahoma is a ways from salt water. Sometimes people just get lucky. Here are some pictures of bad bearings.

https://www.thehulltruth.com/trucks-trailers/1227028-race-bearing-wear-when-replace.html

 

[truckeral]

and dont forget over tightening bearings creates heat which diplaces the lubing grease .