Issue with Bearing Buddy Leaking Grease from Overfill Port
Question:
I put bearing buddies on a travel trailer,with rubber caps. I usually just ran short trips up to 200 miles. Recently I traveled down the blue ridge from Virginia to Georgia, stopping and camping every 30 - 50 miles, staying from 2 to 7 days. During that trip we had some freezing weather. Grease began coming out of one bearing buddy, from the overfill relief port. The port was barely covered with the rubber cover. Before the end of the trip, 3 bearing buddys were doing this. The 4th only let out 2 small spots I wish I could send pictures, but cant. I removed the bearing buddys after deciding they would do more harm than good. My opinion is that the grease expanded. I often check the hub temperatures when traveling, and they never got hot. I never had to do any heavy braking that would cause extreme heat. Have you ever heard of this or can you explain why this happened?
asked by: David
Expert Reply:
Generally speaking bearing grease has so little water in it that significant expansion due to freezing temperatures is unlikely. Higher operating temperatures within the hubs while underway would potentially thin the grease but again not cause much in the way of expansion of its volume.
Typically Bearing Buddies are used on boat trailers to keep water out of the hubs. Since boat trailers are not often used in extreme cold weather this may be why we have not heard of thermal issues like this.
The most likely cause for the seepage of grease out of your Bearing Buddies is overfilling. There seems to be a natural tendency (for all of us!) to think: "if some grease is good, more must be better".
I suggest you take a look at your grease seals and brake assemblies to make certain that no grease has found its way into your drums and brake pads. Grease on your pads will require you to replace them - and the inner grease seals as well if the pressure from the Bearing Buddies has blown them out.
In your particular case I think you did the right thing by removing the Bearing Buddies and replacing them with standard grease caps.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors - Model 1980A-SS w/ Auto Check - Stainless Steel (Pair)
- Trailer Bearings Races Seals Caps
- Caps
- Bearing Protector Grease Cap
- 1.98 Inch
- Bearing Buddy
more information >
Continue Researching
- Search Results: etrack
- Search Results: bearing buddy
- Shop: Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors - Model 1980A w/ Auto Check - Chrome Plated (Pair)
- Shop: Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors - Model 1980A-SS w/ Auto Check - Stainless Steel (Pair)
- Video: CE Smith Trailer Bearings Races Seals Caps CE16270 Review
- Video: Review of etrailer Trailer Bearings Races Seals Caps - Caps - e99006
- Video: CE Smith Bearing Protectors with Covers Review
- Video: Bearing Buddy Trailer Bearings Races Seals Caps - Caps - BB1938 Review
- Search Results: bearing covers
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Shop: Chrome Trailer Wheel Lug Nut - 1/2" (Each)
- Shop: Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors - Model 1938 - Chrome Plated (Pair)
- Shop: etrailer Bearing Protectors w/ Covers for 2.32" Hub Bore - Chrome - Qty 2
- Shop: Chrome Trailer Wheel Lug Nut - 1/2" - Qty 1
- Shop: Americana Trailer Wheel Lug Nut - Chrome Plated - 1/2"-20
- Video: Review of TruRyde Trailer Bearings Races Seals Caps - Seals - 10-9
- Video: Redline Accessories and Parts 090747 Review
- Video: TruRyde Trailer Suspension - Leaf Spring Suspension - TREQE34 Review
- Search Results: mobile home axle parts
- Search Results: round led tail light
- Search Results: side wall vents
- Search Results: led taillights
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Q&A: What Causes Grease Leaking Out of Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors
- Q&A: Does The Redline Grease Seal 13194 Have Markings Of TCM 13194 TM and a Spring On The Inside Lip
- Q&A: How To Tell If Bearing Buddy Has Enough Grease
- Q&A: Troubleshooting Grease Seal Failure when Using Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Q&A: How to Adjust New Electric Drum Trailer Brakes
- Q&A: Can Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors Be Over-Filled with Too Much Grease