Grease leaking from Bearing Buddy

[RangerJ1]

Hey Folks.Have a 2000 Triton TR20 Trailer has bearing buddy's and the rubber cover.Never an issue until today Took boat out after a winter sleep and noticed the grease was very thin only on the drivers side,and when I remove the rubber cover the grease runs down onto the wheel. Never had this issue before. Need advice. Thanks

 

[kamby]

Re: Grease leaking from Bearing Buddy

Could be a few things, incompatible grease when it was filled up over the years causing it to liquify, old grease, or incorrect grease, non marine bearing grease used water wearing it down

Either way sounds like you in for a bearing/hub cleaning and repacking with marine bearings grease. check the seals and brearings make sure there not worn or damaged. depending on the size it should run about 20bucks ish to do both sides. Also if this boat has electric breaks make sure you use extreme caution when breaking if your breakshoes are greasy.


I recomend etrailer.com as they have video showing you a general idea how to change out bearings etc.. or pretty much any tire shop that works on axles should be able to change your bearings for you.

If your spindles have the zirk in the middle to lubricate the bearings you could probably pump it till all the crap grease is out and its good grease coming out but if it were me i would take it off and clean it and repack it with good grease. Remember an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure..

Good luck

 

[cbavier]

Re: Grease leaking from Bearing Buddy

It sounds to me like you're in for a bearing/hub cleaning and repacking with marine bearings grease. Probably the grease is old and has broken down from heat. While you have the wheels off and bearings off check the seals and bearings making sure there not worn or damaged. There shouldn't be any wet grease on the outside side of the inner bearing before you tap it out. If there is, this is a sure sign of a bad seal and the bearing will have to be replaced. Seals usually blow from being overfilled. My bearing buddies have a bleeder hole so you cannot overfill them. The older Bearing buddies and immitators didn't have this feature.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Grease leaking from Bearing Buddy

Ranger welcome to iboats:
It sounds to me like you're in for a bearing/hub cleaning job. Repacking them with marine bearings grease. Probably your grease is old and has broken down from heat. While you have the wheels off and bearings off check the seals and bearings too making sure there not worn or damaged. There shouldn't be any wet grease on the outside side of the inner bearing before you tap it out. If there is, this is a sure sign of a bad seal and the bearing will have to be replaced. Seals usually blow from being overfilled. My bearing buddies have a bleeder hole so you cannot overfill them. The older Bearing buddies and immitators didn't have this feature.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Grease leaking from Bearing Buddy

If it is running because of overheat then you have issues. If it is water intrusion then you have issues. Either way it is time for a teardown, inspection and either cleanout and re-pack or replace bearings and seals. If in doubt....replace.
You will get far cheaper and usually higher quality bearings and seals from a bearing supplier in your area. Quote them the numbers or arrive with the items you have removed and they will fix you up.
As a side note. I replaced all the rear differential bearings in my Jimmy about a month or so ago as there was a rumble starting. Seals and everything. $50 per bearing from dealership, $35 from aftermarket, higher grade from bearing supplier in my area....$15 a piece.

 

[kamby]

Re: Grease leaking from Bearing Buddy

Depending on the size of his axle a set can be had in the 10-20 dollar range per side, etrailers sells the L44643 Inner/Outer Bearings, 34823 Seal set for 12.25.

I think you can get bearings seals and races at wal mart even and have heard a few people on here use them with good luck. If a shop installs it your looking at 50bucks a side easy.

Unless its some really off the wall size or something most auto parts places should have them, and tractor/farm type stores, and bearing shop if one is near by.

If you dont feel comfortable or dont want to do them see if a buddy can help you with them then watch them to get an idea for next time, or if you want to tackle them yourself and want a general guide on how to do them check these videos out

http://www.etrailer.com/tvc-16-Trailer-Service.html

 

[cbavier]

Re: Grease leaking from Bearing Buddy

Hey ranger when you get the old bearings out. Wash them out and look at them closely . If they look ok, no flat spots on the balls. Keep the old ones for a spare. Just in case of an emergency. Keep them either in the boat or tow vehicle. They won't do you any good at home if you have a problem on the highway. More than likely the seals are leaking but they would work in an emergency to get you home or where you could replace them. I've always carried a spare set. Just in case.