Cap gone, will Bearing buddy fix this? Pics

[troutlet]

I'm looking at a boat and trailer to buy. Everything looks good on it but one of the dust caps on the wheel hub is missing. I would need to tow this boat about a 100 miles to get it home. Any advice? I'm pretty sure Walmart sells bearing buddy's can I just put one on and pump it full of grease? <br /><br />No cap <br />

<br /><br />With Cap<br />

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Cap gone, will Bearing buddy fix this? Pics

I would be very leary of that trailer. The bottom picture shows considerable rust in the vicinity of the rear spring shackle. If that breaks, you have a real mess and a potential accident on your hands -- whether or not there is a boat on the trailer. The bearing buddy that is visible is not a true bearing buddy. It is merely a dust cap with a grease zerk. Pumping it up will simply blow the rear seal. But then getting some grease into it and having a leaky seal is better than having no grease and breaking a spindle and losing a wheel on the way home.

 

[troutlet]

Re: Cap gone, will Bearing buddy fix this? Pics

Thanks Upinsmoke. I really appreciate what you're saying. I like the boat and the engine, but I think now that I should find another trailer before making a decision.

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Cap gone, will Bearing buddy fix this? Pics

Bearing buddys will fix the cap issue (take the one you have with you to match the size) but upinsmoke is right about the rust. It might just be the remnants of the old fender thats in the photo, but it's still a red flag. The last trailer I restored cost me more in the long run than just buying a new trailer. I'd give that one a through inspection before purchasing.<br /><br /><br />spots

 

[Pony]

Re: Cap gone, will Bearing buddy fix this? Pics

temporary fix in my opinion. if you do get the trailer, and you put a bearing buddy on and get both sets of bearings greased to get it home, I would still remove and inspect the bearings on both of the wheels, then get bearing buddies for both of them. JMHO. Without a cap, who is to say what crap got into those bearings.

 

[troutlet]

Re: Cap gone, will Bearing buddy fix this? Pics

Spots, thats a really good point about putting more into it than buying a new one. I'm pretty convinced that it will be worth it in the long run to just buck up and buy a new or "newer" trailer. BTW, some of that rust is from fenders that used to be.<br /><br />Pony, If I can get it home I'll be good. My concern is getting stuck on the side of the highway or worse. I still might give it a try. Can you think of any other tests that I should perform before deciding if it is road worthy?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Cap gone, will Bearing buddy fix this? Pics

Jack it up and spin each wheel. If you hear grinding or roughness, don't leave the yard without your credit card.

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Cap gone, will Bearing buddy fix this? Pics

-"don't leave the yard without your credit card"<br /><br />...and a cell phone.<br /><br />Do the lights work? I'd also check for cracks in the welds especially where there is rust.<br /><br />...and wasps<br /><br />I hate wasps.<br /><br />spots

 

[djvan]

Re: Cap gone, will Bearing buddy fix this? Pics

Can't really tell the size of the boat/trailer. Maybe an option would be to borrow or rent a car trailer, put the boat/trailer on the car trailer to get it home then you could find or repair a trailer.<br /><br />DougV>

 

[RetNav]

Re: Cap gone, will Bearing buddy fix this? Pics

In my experience when the dust cap/bearing buddies are off it might indicate a problem with the outer bearing being worn to the point that the interaction of the hub & axel knocks the cover off.<br />Just a thought..

 

[rwidman]

Re: Cap gone, will Bearing buddy fix this? Pics

The advice to jack it up and spin the wheels is good advice, you should also grease the bearings on both sides. Also, you should have a set of tools with you, tow during the day when parts stores are open, and stop and inspect everything including feeling the hubs for excessive heat every 50 miles or so.<br /><br />The advice to replace the trailer is the best advice, this one may be ready for the junk heap.

 

[KRS]

Re: Cap gone, will Bearing buddy fix this? Pics

That rust spot appears to be a rusty weld, I'll bet the trailer has been repaired in that very spot before, to fix another problem.

 

[troutlet]

Re: Cap gone, will Bearing buddy fix this? Pics

I decided to pass on this trailer/boat combo. Thanks everyone for posting your advice and thoughts about it. <br />I did buy a boat and trailer as a project and towed it 200 miles without incident following what Ron (rwidman) and others said.<br />Thanks again!