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  1. Trailer Bearings Races Seals Caps
  2. Bearing Buddy
  3. Caps
  4. Bearing Protector Grease Cap
  5. 1.98 Inch
Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors - Model 1980A-SS w/ Auto Check - Stainless Steel (Pair)

Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors - Model 1980A-SS w/ Auto Check - Stainless Steel (Pair)

Item # BB1980A-SS
Retail:$79.99
Our Price: $55.15
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Trailer Bearings Races Seals Caps
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Bearing Buddy Trailer Bearings Races Seals Caps - BB1980A-SS
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Great for marine applications; the stainless steel construction provides the best in corrosion resistance. The design makes Bearing Buddy an easy way to protect your bearings by keeping water out and ensuring enough grease is in the hub. Great Prices for the best trailer bearings races seals caps from Bearing Buddy. Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors - Model 1980A-SS w/ Auto Check - Stainless Steel (Pair) part number BB1980A-SS can be ordered online at etrailer.com or call 1-800-940-8924 for expert service.
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Bearing Buddy Trailer Bearings Races Seals Caps - BB1980A-SS

  • Caps
  • Bearing Protector Grease Cap
  • 1.98 Inch
  • Bearing Buddy

Great for marine applications; the stainless steel construction provides the best in corrosion resistance. The design makes Bearing Buddy an easy way to protect your bearings by keeping water out and ensuring enough grease is in the hub.


Features:

  • Replaces the grease cap in the axle hub
  • Prevents wheel-bearing failure
    • Keeps water and dirt out of hubs and bearings
    • Allows boat trailer wheels to be completely submerged
    • Stops corrosion and pitting on bearings
  • Provides easily accessible grease fitting
    • Makes adding grease to the bearings quick and simple
  • Maintains slight, controlled pressure (3 psi) with spring-loaded piston, preventing water from entering hub
  • Allows visual monitoring of grease levels with blue indicator ring
    • Ring sits flush with top of cylinder when full
    • If ring is below top, add grease to move piston outward 1/8"
  • Prevents overfilling and rear seal damage with automatic pressure-relief feature
    • Grease seeps around piston edges and into barrel when full
  • Constructed of stainless steel
    • Ensures longer-lasting fit than plastic or aluminum products
  • Includes rubber covers
  • Installs easily
  • Made in the USA


Specs:

  • Fits 1.980" hub bore
    • Works with outer bearing models L-44643, L-44649 and L-44640
    • Works with outer bearing cup (race) model L44610
      • Commonly found on 2,000-lb, 2,500-lb and 3,500-lb Dexter axles
  • Lifetime warranty


Bearing Buddy installed diagram

Bearing Buddy Operation

Replace your existing grease cap with a Bearing Buddy to ensure a safe, easy way to monitor and control the level of grease in your axle hub. To adjust the amount of grease in the hub, use a grease gun to add more through the appropriate fitting. Adding grease moves the Bearing Buddy spring-loaded piston outward 1/8".

The O-ring inside the barrel of the Bearing Buddy maintains a seal from the outside. The interior of the Bearing Buddy is pressurized, preventing water from entering the barrel and diluting the grease.

An automatic pressure-relief feature is built into the Bearing Buddy. When the device is full, grease will seep around the edges of the piston and into the barrel. This prevents overfilling that can damage the inner seal.

The blue indicator ring allows you to visually monitor the amount of grease in your hub. The ring should sit flush with the top of the cylinder. If the ring is below the top of the cylinder, add grease until the piston moves 1/8" outward.



42208 Bearing Buddy Model 1980A-SS w/ Auto Check - Stainless Steel (Pair)





Customer Satisfaction Score:


Customer Reviews

Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors - Model 1980A-SS w/ Auto Check - Stainless Steel (Pair) - BB1980A-SS

Average Customer Rating:  4.9 out of 5 stars   (711 Customer Reviews)

Great for marine applications; the stainless steel construction provides the best in corrosion resistance. The design makes Bearing Buddy an easy way to protect your bearings by keeping water out and ensuring enough grease is in the hub.

by:

Awesome functional and a must-have in my book! These seem to work best if your trailer utilizes ez-lube axles. The stainless steel is the way to go in my opinion. These utilities a spring loaded piston inside to help keep lube packed in the bearings. Corrosions and rust on the interior interferes with the spring/piston function. The stainless steel option is going to give you the best functionality over time. Make sure you order the ones with the Auto-Check Valve, to relieve pressure (grease pressure) and help prevent over greasing.



by:

The web site is easy and helpful. It enabled me to source my bearing buddy by my trailer model and year. The product arrived very soon after my order and I was informed of the shipping progress all the way. Bearing Buddy slows me to insure my wheels are serviced and safe prior to any trip we plan and let’s me relax knowing one phase of our trips are checked off our list.



by:

On my previous trailer I installed Bearing Buddies from etrailer. They were a great product, allowing me to easily keep the wheel bearing greased and prevent the possibility of wheel bearing failure. That experience is why I ordered Bearing Buddies for my new trailer as soon as I got it.



by:

Fits perfectly. Easy to keep
Wheel
bearings greased. Great customer service. My rep found the exact part I needed.



by:

I have a set of Bearing Buddy’s that have been on a utility trailer of mine for 22 years. Now granted it doesn’t get a huge amount of miles each year, but it’s a fair amount.Not once in those twenty two years have I inspected the bearings. I just keep them full of grease, which is so easy. I decided to put a set on my camper so that I could check my grease level at a glance, know that water will never make its way in, easily top off with grease and keep my hubs full, and only have to do a full tear down and inspection of my bearings every four to five years. It’s a no brainer for me. Install can’t be any easier.



by:

Love how easy it is to keep the wheel bearings greased with these Bearing Buddy's.
Just pop the cover off, hook up the grease gun, a few quick pumps, and the bearings are ready for another season. The blue inside plate moves out as the grease goes in so you do not over fill the bearing. Slid the cover back on and you are done.

Arctic P.

6/14/2020

This product has proven it is the best choice for the job of keeping my utility trailer rolling trouble free.



by:

I replaced the original Bearing Buddies on my 2004 Shore Land'r that were leaking and loosing grease. Luckily the bearings were in good shape.



by:

Only 4 stars because I just installed them and they fit great and this is the only trailer of the 6 I have currently installed on! Give it some time and it might be 5 stars or less

Mark

8/23/2023

Working great!! Used them in the past and don’t expect any problems



by:

Very reliable company to do business wi th.



by:

Order was delivered in 2 days! The hub assembly fit perfectly and Bearing protector fit exactly into the hub. Placing order was very easy and their order follow up was appreciated!



by:

Just what I needed. Haven't used the trailer since installing the Bearing Buddy but expect they will be as advertised. Installation was easy.

Larrym

6/2/2017

I couldnt be happier with the Bearing Buddy after using them for the past year.



by:

Great product. If I had them on my trailer earlier I might have saved myself a lot of money and aggravation having to change the hubs and bearings that failed due to salt water damage. Don't go without bearing buddies ... Much easier to maintain your hubs than without them.



by:

Great people to work with



by:

Easy to navigate sight and on time delivery with competitive prices.



by:

Good quality replacement hub for my trailer. Easy to install.



by:

It is a 500 mile trip to launch my handmade, mahogany drift boat..wanted the security of bearing buddies on my axles.. the units were easy to install, filled them with marine grease,check periodically..good to go..good service from e.trailer..good product



by:

Easy installation and SUPER FAST SHIPPI NG!!



by:

I LIKE THE BEARING BUDDY THE FIT IS GOOD
IT STOPS THE WATER FROM THE BEARING
WILL BUY AGAIN THANKS ETRAILER



by:

I installed the Bearing Buddy on my motorcycle trailer before towing my Harley to Connecticut. The grease caps were easy to install and provided good grease protection while on my trip.



by:

Great price, fast service and easy install. Just purchased a teardrop trailer and it is a simple hub design with no zirk fitting. So unless you like pulling the tires and hubs off, Bearing Buddys are the way ti Go! Grease Gun, pump pump, done.



by:

Easy way to maintain grease for the wheel bearings



by:

I bought a set of 2 for my boat trailer. The one seemed to work fine the other seemed as if the outer seal leaked from the get go.



by:

Excellent product, installs in minutes, well worth it for peace of mind.



by:

I continue to be very satisfied with your product and the quick delivery.



by:

Lost a few going down the highway… perfect replacement. Excellent quality. Perfect!!!


25
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Show More Reviews

See what our Experts say about this Bearing Buddy Trailer Bearings Races Seals Caps

  • How to Determine Which Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors to Use
    To determine which Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors are the correct fit for your application you will need to find out what the bore size of your hub is. This will be different than the bore size of your outer bearing LM11749 that you mentioned. Once you find the bore size of your hub you can then filter through selection of Bearing Buddy options that I have linked for you. For example, Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors # BB1980A-SS fit a 1.980" hub bore.
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  • Bearing Buddy Bearing Protector For a 2021 Triton LT WCI-X PWC Trailer
    According to the parts department at Triton your 2021 Triton LT WCI-X will need the Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors # BB1980A-SS. This is due to having a Dexter 2,000lb axle under your PWC trailer. Be sure to use the same grease that you currently have in your hubs when you install the Bearing Buddies. If you are unsure of the grease you will want to clean out all the old grease and I recommend using LubriMatic LMX Industrial Strength Grease # L11390 with your hubs. Having a dedicated...
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  • How to Pick Out Correct Bearing Buddy for Trailer Hub
    In order to pick out the correct bearing buddy you will need know the pilot hole of your hub. To do this, remove the wheel and tire and remove the grease cap from the center of the hub. Usually it is a metal cap that is just lightly hammered into place. Use a screwdriver to pry off the cap. Clean the grease off and measure the opening. I have included a video demonstrating the Bearing Buddy. The Bearing Buddies # BB1980A-SS that you referenced are for hubs with a 1.98 inch hub bore.
    view full answer...
  • Replacement Hubs for 1999 Load Rite 161250L Boat Trailer
    If the surface of your spindles where the inner and outer bearings ride are 1.06 inches in diameter, you'll need hubs compatible with a L44649 inner and outer wheel bearing. The # AKIHUB-545-2-G-2K hub you'd looked at should be compatible with your spindles, you'll want to use a digital caliper like # PTW80157 and measure the spindle diameter where the grease seal rides which is known as the seal journal surface. If the seal journal surface is 1.50 inches in diameter, the 10-9 grease seal...
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  • Bearing Kit and Bearing Buddy Recommendation for a 2001 ShorelandR MC1200
    Since you said the bearing surfaces are both 1-1/6 that would indicate you have the BTR spindle and the bearing kit you would need is part # BK1-150. The Bearing Buddy you would want would be the # BB1980A-SS (stainless steel) or # BB1980A since you have bearings of L44649 inner and outer.
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  • Bearing Buddy Recommendation for Trailer Idler Hub Assembly AKIHUB-545-2-1K
    The correct Bearing Buddy to use with the hub part # AKIHUB-545-2-1K you mentioned is the part # BB1980A-SS.
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  • How to Determine What Size Bearing Buddy Do I Need
    In order to determine which Bearing Buddy you will need from your trailer you'll either need to measure the inner diameter of the hub bore on your trailer, or you'll need to know the bearing numbers in your existing hubs. Once you know the bearing number you can search our site with that reference to see all compatible Bearing Buddy protectors available for your trailer. If you're going to be measuring the hub bore, it is recommended to use digital calipers to get a precise measurement....
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    Image 1 for Image 2 for
  • Recommended Replacement Bearing Saver for Reliable Sure-Lube Axle
    The Reliable Sure-Lube Axles/Hub have been discontinued for quite some time now so exact replacement parts are hard to come by. That said, we do have an option for you in the Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors part # BB1980A-SS. I went out to our warehouse and measured the inner diameter which is 1.8675" so you should be able to use this info and determine if it will clear the castle nut on your spindle.
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  • Difficulty of Converting Oil Bath Hubs to Grease
    What you're wanting to do is a pretty simple proposition, simply remove the bearings and and clean and inspect them. Repack or replace if necessary. You can use a bearing packer like # PTW1218 and # L11390 grease to repack the bearings. The Bearing Buddy you need will need will depend on the outer bearing used and whether or not the hub bore is threaded. The outer bearing typically found on a 3500 axle (which is extremely likely given your trailer capacity and wheel bolt pattern) is typically...
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  • Which Bearing Buddy to Use with Trailer Hub # AKIHUB-545-35-G-EZ-K
    The correct Bearing Buddies to use with the trailer hub # AKIHUB-545-35-G-EZ-K that you referenced are part # BB1980A for chrome plated or part # BB1980A-SS for stainless steel.
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  • Correct Bearing Buddy Protectors for Outer Bearing Model L44649 with a 1.980 Hub Bore
    The stainless steel Bearing Buddy grease caps will definitely help keep dirt/water out of your hubs and bearings. These protectors fit a 1.980" hub bore, which is commonly found on 2,000-lb, 2,500-lb and 3,500-lb axles. Bearing Buddy Protectors # BB1980A-SS will work with your outer bearing model # L44649 that has an inner diameter of 1.063 inches. This replacement trailer hub bearing matches with race # L44610 (sold separately). The attached article has some additional information...
    view full answer...
  • Can Bearing Buddy Grease Seal Sets Be Used With BTR EZ Lube Spindles?
    Since the Bearing Buddy Grease Seal Set # BB60005 will direct grease outside the hub you will not be able to use the EZ-Lube spindle. Instead you will need to use a set of the Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors # BB1980A-SS to fill your hubs with grease. You will need to remove the grease zerk on the end of the spindle before installing the Bearing Buddy caps.
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    Image 1 for
  • Recommended Disc Brake Kit For 2013 Magnum Trailer With 3500 lb Axles
    For your 2013 Magnum trailer, I recommend the Titan Disc Brake Kit and Swing-Away Actuator w/ Electric Lockout - Single, 3,500-lb Axle # T4843300. This kit will include everything you need to convert one axle to a braking axle. I recommend using the Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors - Model 1980A-SS w/ Auto Check - Stainless Steel (Pair) # BB1980A-SS with this assembly, but everything else you need unless you need an adapter for your trailer tongue which is # T4842100. If you have a 4...
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  • Recommendations To Ensure Water Does Not Get Into Hubs & Rust Bearings On Boat Trailer Is Salt Water
    The best way to prevent rust and corrosion inside your hubs is by selecting a stainless steel hub like the Kodiak # KH84545S, and more frequently inspecting your bearings and seals. Be sure your hubs are filled with a marine grade Grease # L54FR. You can also use Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors # BB1980A-SS if you do not have an easy lube spindle. The bearing buddy will allow you to ensure your hub is filled completely with grease leaving no room for water to get in. If you can provide...
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  • Recommended Grease Cap With Grease Fitting
    Since I'm assuming you don't have an E-Z Lube axle or some equivalent with the zerk fitting on the end of the spindle, the only option would be to use a Bearing Buddy. What you have heard about the grease getting pushed out of the back only happens if they are overfilled. As long as you make sure to not add too much grease this will not be an issue. Before choosing a Bearing Buddy I recommend measuring the hub bore diameter. I would also use a digital caliper like the # PTW80157 since...
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    Image 1 for
  • Installing Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors on EZ Lube Spindle
    You can certainly install a Bearing Buddy like # BB1980A-SS on a trailer like yours that is equipped with EZ lube spindles, but you will want to remove the zerk fitting before installing the Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors. This grease zerk will prevent the Bearing Buddy from lubricating the hub properly.
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  • Replacement Bearing and Seal Kit with Grease for a Malone MicroSport Trailer
    No, it is not normal for seals to go bad that quickly. Typically if your hubs are spraying/leaking grease, it is because of a bad seal. From what I could find, it looks like your Malone Microsport trailer has a 1.98 inch diameter hub. The correct replacement seal would be the Double Lip Grease Seal # 34823. I would recommend replacing the bearings and seals on both sides using the Bearing Kit # BK1-100. To grease the wheels you can use LubriMatic LMX Industrial Strength Grease # L11390...
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  • Finding The Right Size Bearing Buddy For Utility Trailer
    You'll need to use an accurate measuring device like a digital caliper to measure the inside diameter of the hub bore. A ruler or tape measure wouldn't be accurate enough. I have attached a photo of a hub that shows where the measurement should be taken. If you measure and find the opening to be 1.98 inches then the Bearing Buddy I recommend is part # BB1980A-SS. If you find that the inside hub bore measures 2.047 inches, part # BB2047SS would work well for you. If you find that the...
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    Image 1 for
  • How to Find Correct Wheel Bearing Kit
    I can help you find out exactly how to determine the correct wheel bearing kit for your trailer. To do this you should take apart your hub assembly and looking at the bearings themselves; wipe away the grease and you should be able to see the part number stamped directly on them. If you are unable to find them, you need to use a digital caliper to measure your spindle to the thousandths of an inch where the bearings ride. You can use the photo I've attached to see exactly where you need...
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    Image 1 for
  • Recommended Bearing Buddies To Fit Hubs
    The Trailer Hub Assembly - 2,000-lb Axles - 4 on 4 - L44649 Bearings - E-Z Lube # 8-91-05UC1-EZ has a 1.986 inch bore where the grease cap fits. If you choose to use a Bearing Buddy, you would need to remove the grease zerk from the EZ lube spindle as the two are not compatible. The proper Bearing Buddy For these hubs are the Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors - Model 1980A-SS w/ Auto Check - Stainless Steel (Pair) # BB1980A-SS. The grease capacity is not something that is monitored....
    view full answer...
  • Could/Should Zerk Fitting of EZ Lube Spindle Be Removed to Install Bearing Buddies
    To answer your question...yes, you can rip off the zerk fittings of your spindles so that you could install Bearing Buddies. But you should note that Bearing Buddies commonly allow people to overfill their hubs with grease which then turns into a blown out seal. EZ lube spindles are far superior to Bearing Buddies as they are less prone to over filling and since they place the new grease in the middle of the hub they do a better job getting the grease where it needs to be.
    view full answer...
  • Can Easy Lube Hub And Drum Assemblies Be Used On AL-KO T-52 Axles?
    The only difference between Easy Lube hub and drum assemblies and standard hub and drum assemblies is the grease cap having a removeable plug so you can access the spindles built in zerk fitting while the wheel is still installed. The Easy Lube hub and drum assemblies can be use on any trailer with the same bearing combination, but that will not add the easy lube feature. If your axle does not have easy lube spindles then your best bet is to install Bearing Buddies. Bearing Buddies replace...
    view full answer...
    Image 1 for
  • Can Bearing Buddies be used on Axles With Brakes
    You can use Bearing Buddies such as # BB1980A-SS on your trailer with brakes you just need to make sure you don't overfill them because if grease gets on brake pads the pads will need to be replaced. So as long as you are sure you aren't using too much grease you will be fine; there are those that have a blue indicator ring that allows you to monitor the level of grease which is helpful. So the short answer is yes, you can use Bearing Buddies on trailers that have brakes you just need...
    view full answer...
  • Replacement Hub and Drum Assemblies for 2002 Escort Boat Trailer
    In order to determine the correct hub and drum replacement you will need to know what bearings your trailer is using. Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors like the # BB1980A-SS that fit a 1.98" hub bore are commonly found on 2,000-3,500 lb axles, so you can't use the hub bore to determine what you have. The best way to find what bearings you're using is to pull the bearings and look for a part number. You can also measure their inner diameter, or the spindle, with a digital caliper like # PTW80157. Since...
    view full answer...
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