BEARINGS

(noti_dad) · (noti_dad) **Join Date: Jul 2003** 07-22-2004, 9:00 AM

Anyone else sick of loosing Bearing Buddies? Anybody have feedback on the oil bath bearings?

(wake_fun) · (wake_fun) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 07-22-2004, 9:08 AM

I've never lost mine? What do you mean?

tutman 07-22-2004, 9:15 AM

Me neither. I have replaced them as a precautionary before, but never lost them. Do you grease them?

I am curious about the oil bath bearings. Any idea how hard it is to change over?

(noti_dad) · (noti_dad) **Join Date: Jul 2003** 07-22-2004, 9:37 AM

Over the last 3 years I've lost atleast 1 a year. It happens for no apperant reason. Rough roads seem to help them vibrate out, but I've lost them on smooth roads also. No hot brakes or over filled causing it.

(noti_dad) · (noti_dad) **Join Date: Jul 2003** 07-22-2004, 9:40 AM

tutman-I do regular maintenance on them every year. Funny thing is I towed for 5 years in Cali out to Lake Mojave, Mead & Powel and never lost one. Moved to WA and have lost 1 a year. The oil bath ones require a new hub and an extra seal. I've checked a couple other sites but only got a few postings (all favorable).

tutman 07-22-2004, 2:28 PM

That's crazy, noti. You don't lose the same one do ya'? I think I will put those oil bath ones on my next boat trailer.

(wake_fun) · (wake_fun) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 07-22-2004, 3:53 PM

Maybe your hub diameter is messed up. When you put the new ones in are they easy to push on? I had to put mine on using a hammer and a block of wood.

boomer 07-23-2004, 8:31 PM

Notidad, I've had the same problem. I've probably lost 5 or 6 bearing buddies (bb) in the the last five years on the two different boat trailers that I've owned. One time I lost one on the way to the lake (20 miles) but hadn't realized that I'd lost it. I launched & loaded the boat and then drove home. By the time I got home the hub had had a major melt down.....not a single ball bearing left in the darn thing...wheel was wobbling like crazy. I should have lost the wheel but luckily I didn't. My experience has been that the more you install & remove the bb the more likely they are to loosen up & work their way out while on the road. So, I really try to not to remove/reinstall them except when absolutely needed. Also, before installing, I use a cresent wrench to grasp the inner edge of the bb to bend/flare it out a bit before installing them. I do this at the 12, 3, 6 & 9:00 positions. I have to beat like hell on them with a rubber mallet to put them back on but I haven't lost a bb since I started bending them so it seems to be working. I also try not to over fill them when greasing the hubs. I think the mass from over filling can be a contributing factor to bb loss. I put in just enough grease to where I see the spring on the bb begin to respond, then I stop. Good luck. I hope this helps you. John

(p_e_ski) · (p_e_ski) **Join Date: Jul 2004** 07-25-2004, 4:58 PM

check out the tiedown.com website. they have a kit to replace your complete hub with and oil filled. I put an aftermarket oil lube kit on my old 1998 Escort trailer that towed my Old Bayliner. Never had anymore problems with hubs. Check out liqualube.com and email me for anymore questions or info. I have tons of it and convinced that oil is the way to go. My 04 Centurion Cyclone came on a Boatmate Trailer and oil hubs are now standard. Wouldn't have it any other way.