Bearing Buddy Replacement - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Whaler Repairs/Mods
  Bearing Buddy Replacement

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Bearing Buddy Replacement

Jefecinco posted 05-05-2014 09:05 AM ET (US)
Yesterday I replaced the buddies on the old trailer under my Sport 13. One came off during the trip home a few weeks ago and I could only buy them in sets so I replaced both and kept the remaining old one for a spare.
They seem to work well as I found the cavities well filled with grease before installing the replacements.
I carefully cleaned the old grease out of the hub that lost a buddy. I put the replacement buddies in the freezer for 20 minutes before installing but they were still a tight fit requiring a couple of smart whacks with a mallet using a piece of 2x4 scrap as a protector.
I believe they are correctly installed but I'm a little concerned because of one coming off previously. I am hopeful that the one came off due to a sloppy reinstallation job at the shop where I had that wheel bearings replaced earlier this year. That's a job I would normally do but the outer bearing on one side was well stuck to the shaft and I lacked the tools to get it off.
I've learned two things from this, how to remove and install Bearing Buddies and to more carefully check any work done by someone else.
Butch
andygere posted 05-05-2014 11:50 AM ET (US)
The next time you tow, check the temp on the hub that lost the Bearing Buddy after a few highway miles. If your hub is running hot, it could be the reason the Bearing Buddy dropped out. Note that a problem with the brakes could be a source of heat in addition to the bearings.
blacksmithdog posted 05-05-2014 03:50 PM ET (US)
I was actually getting a new trailer for an outrage a few years ago. I pulled my boat on the old trailer into the dealer I was getting the new trailer from. He pointed out that I'd lost a Bearing Buddy (which happened on the trip there), and said that was probably an indication of a bearing going bad. Don't know if this was indeed the case but kind of goes along with what andygere said.
Jefecinco posted 05-05-2014 07:51 PM ET (US)
Thank you, gentlemen. I recently purchased a laser(??) thermometer from Harbor Freight and intend to use it on the next trip.
It worked very well on the other trailer a couple of weeks ago. Readings were between 100 and 105 F.
Butch
Jefecinco posted 05-07-2014 09:37 PM ET (US)
Towed the boat about 50 miles today. Checked the hub temperatures at five miles, ten miles and upon arrival. One hub was 100 and the other 105 degrees F.
I'm satisfied the bearings are in good condition. Now, if only the buddies will remain on the hubs.
Butch
jimh posted 05-08-2014 01:10 AM ET (US)
I don't think the laser in the thermometer does any of the temperature measurement. I think it is just for aiming the temperature detector at the source.
I had not thought of or heard of the concept that a hub might be getting warm and the expansion would cause the Bearing Buddy to become loose. I have done a lot of hauling of a trailer on the highway, and only had one instance of losing a Bearing Buddy.
That is an interesting idea about putting them in the freezer to make the press-fit into the hub easier. I had not heard that idea before, either.
I think the Bearing Buddy might come lose due to a bit of wobble. Make sure it is seated evenly on the hub.

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Bearing Buddy Replacement
Jefecinco	posted 05-05-2014 09:05 AM ET (US) Yesterday I replaced the buddies on the old trailer under my Sport 13. One came off during the trip home a few weeks ago and I could only buy them in sets so I replaced both and kept the remaining old one for a spare. They seem to work well as I found the cavities well filled with grease before installing the replacements. I carefully cleaned the old grease out of the hub that lost a buddy. I put the replacement buddies in the freezer for 20 minutes before installing but they were still a tight fit requiring a couple of smart whacks with a mallet using a piece of 2x4 scrap as a protector. I believe they are correctly installed but I'm a little concerned because of one coming off previously. I am hopeful that the one came off due to a sloppy reinstallation job at the shop where I had that wheel bearings replaced earlier this year. That's a job I would normally do but the outer bearing on one side was well stuck to the shaft and I lacked the tools to get it off. I've learned two things from this, how to remove and install Bearing Buddies and to more carefully check any work done by someone else. Butch
andygere	posted 05-05-2014 11:50 AM ET (US) The next time you tow, check the temp on the hub that lost the Bearing Buddy after a few highway miles. If your hub is running hot, it could be the reason the Bearing Buddy dropped out. Note that a problem with the brakes could be a source of heat in addition to the bearings.
blacksmithdog	posted 05-05-2014 03:50 PM ET (US) I was actually getting a new trailer for an outrage a few years ago. I pulled my boat on the old trailer into the dealer I was getting the new trailer from. He pointed out that I'd lost a Bearing Buddy (which happened on the trip there), and said that was probably an indication of a bearing going bad. Don't know if this was indeed the case but kind of goes along with what andygere said.
Jefecinco	posted 05-05-2014 07:51 PM ET (US) Thank you, gentlemen. I recently purchased a laser(??) thermometer from Harbor Freight and intend to use it on the next trip. It worked very well on the other trailer a couple of weeks ago. Readings were between 100 and 105 F. Butch
Jefecinco	posted 05-07-2014 09:37 PM ET (US) Towed the boat about 50 miles today. Checked the hub temperatures at five miles, ten miles and upon arrival. One hub was 100 and the other 105 degrees F. I'm satisfied the bearings are in good condition. Now, if only the buddies will remain on the hubs. Butch
jimh	posted 05-08-2014 01:10 AM ET (US) I don't think the laser in the thermometer does any of the temperature measurement. I think it is just for aiming the temperature detector at the source. I had not thought of or heard of the concept that a hub might be getting warm and the expansion would cause the Bearing Buddy to become loose. I have done a lot of hauling of a trailer on the highway, and only had one instance of losing a Bearing Buddy. That is an interesting idea about putting them in the freezer to make the press-fit into the hub easier. I had not heard that idea before, either. I think the Bearing Buddy might come lose due to a bit of wobble. Make sure it is seated evenly on the hub.