What Trailer Hubs Will Benefit From Bearing Buddies

Question:

so, in general, do you recommend bearing buddies as standardinch equipment?

asked by: Pb

Expert Reply:

If your axle spindle does not have an EZ lube fitting the Bearing Buddies are great options. I will say though that with the Bearing Buddies it is very easy to over fill the hub with grease and blow out the seal on the other side of the hub. A good percentage of the blown grease seals we encounter here are due to that.

Grease can be added to the hub through an easily accessible grease fitting located in the center of the Bearing Buddy piston. Lubricant level can be checked by pressing on the edge of the piston. If you can rock or move the piston, the hub is properly filled. If the piston won't rock or move, add grease until piston moves outward about 1/8 inch. When adding grease, always use a hand grease gun. An automatic grease gun will destroy the hub's inner seal.

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.

expert reply by: Jameson C