What Causes Grease On the Inside of Boat Trailer Wheels
Question:
I recently replaced both inner/outer bearings, and rear seals, on my boat trailer this has been less than 6 months ago. Before each trip to the lake I would squirt a little marine grease into the port on the bearing buddy. I just noticed that grease was being expelled from the back side of the hub when I went to trailer my boat. A guy there said that I had blown my rear seals on the hubs which I recently replaced as mentioned above. He told me that I was greasing my bearing too much, thus causing the rear seal to blow out. Any truth to this? I am going to replace JUST the rear seals on the hubs, however I just want to make sure that this over greasinginch is in fact what the issue is. Please give me some insight on this?
asked by: Donald W
Helpful Expert Reply:
The guy you were speaking with was telling the truth. If the Bearing Buddies are overfilled, you will indeed blow out the grease seal. The excessive pressure will push the grease out through the rubber portion of the seal. Using a double lip grease seal that has a radial spring inside it which makes the rubber seal grip the spindle more tightly can help reduce the likelihood of the seal blowing out. Also, when adding grease, pay close attention to the piston surrounding the grease zerk. As the grease fills the hub cavity, the piston will move outwards. When it's extended fully, and the spring is compressed (see photo), the hub is full.
How did I learn this? Two days after I got my PWC trailer many years ago, I did the same thing you did. I've linked you to our selection of double lip grease seals.
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 >
Featured Help Information
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Q&A: What Would Cause Grease to Appear All Over Trailer Wheels on 3 Trailers
- Q&A: How To Tell If Bearing Buddy Has Enough Grease
- Article: Replacing the Bearing, Races and Seals on a Trailer Hub
- Q&A: Difference Between RG06-050 and Timken TMK58ZR Grease Seal
- Shop: Double Lip Grease Seal - ID 1.249" / OD 1.983" - Qty 1
- Search Results: seal cross reference
- Video: Review of etrailer Trailer Bearings Races Seals Caps - Bearings - L44649
- Shop: Timken Replacement Bearing and Race Set - L44649 and L44610
- Search Results: chrome wheel center caps
- Shop: Hub Bearing Kit for Lippert, Dexter, and AL-KO Axles - 3,500 lb with #84 Spindle
- Shop: Bearing Kit, L44649 Inner/Outer Bearings, 10-9 Seal
- Video: Review of Timken Trailer Bearings Races - L44649 and L44610 Set - TMK23VR
- Shop: Replacement Trailer Hub Bearing - L44649
- Shop: Steel Spoke Trailer Wheel - 12" x 4" Rim - 5 on 4-1/2 - Galvanized Finish
- Shop: Karrier ST175/80R13 Radial Trailer Tire with 13" Galvanized Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range D
- Video: Review of TruRyde Trailer Spindles - Standard Spindle - TRU59FR
- Search Results: l68149
- Video: etrailer Trailer Hubs and Drums - Hub - AKIHUB-545-35-G-EZ-K Review
- Search Results: lhlr103
- Search Results: boat tie down straps
- Video: Choosing the Best Trailer Bearing Races Caps and Seals
- Q&A: Replacement Double Lip Grease Seal for National Seal 471750
- Q&A: Recommended Grease Seals For 1.25 Inch Spindle To Be Used With Bearing Buddies
- Search Results: seals for trailer bearings
- Video: CE Smith Trailer Fenders - No Step - CE17701G Review
- Search Results: lug nuts
- Video: Review of Kenda Trailer Tires and Wheels - Tire with Wheel - AM35351DX
- Q&A: Replacement Grease Seals For TRP GS-1719DL
- Q&A: Replacement Trailer Hub Seal for 12194TC TCM
- Article: How to Raise Your Travel Trailer Height