Bearing Buddies

[Blue_Runner]

The buddies I had were the galvanized looking ones that came on my trailer. *They had the little rubber insert nipple looking thingy that protects the grease fitting from water intrusion. *Well, I hated them because they didn't hold the grease in very well and were very messy. *So I bought some buddies at bass pro and put em in. I put the ones I took off on the V that I sold. Don't you know that 10 miles down the *road I lost 3!! And I sold the old v so now I want to know where I can get the kind that are galvanized looking with the little rubber nipple thingy?? *All I see in the stores are crappy looking. * 2nd question is how do I make them stay in *:-/
PLEASE HELP! I wouldn't mind going fishing soon :-/

[tsubaki]

There are about three different sizes to the caps.
Making sure the hub is free of debris before installation will help prolong them staying there, however the usual culprit is improper installation either from not snugging them or beating them too much and damaging them.
As for going fishing soon, get caps (correct size) and a grease gun needle, fill the hub, put on the cap and try to locate the correct size buddies.
Elaborate on how they went on during installation.

[tsubaki]

My bad, 13 different capable sizes!!!


http://www.bearingbuddy.com/select.html


HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT MODEL



Pick a genuine Bearing Buddy® to match your hub bore.

To convert a model number to the hub bore in inches (or dust cap diameter), simply place a decimal point after the first digit in the model number.

Model #1980, for example, fits a 1.980” bore hole diameter.

Our 2080T (threaded model 2080) will fit the Reliable oil bath unit that is on many of the EZ Loader trailers. Model *Hub Bore (mm) Outer Bearing Cone *Outer Bearing Cup (race) *
1980/1980A* 50.41 L-44643, L-44649, L-44640 *L44610 *
1781 *45.33 LM-11949 *LM-11910 *
2328 *59.25 LM-67048, hub not counterbored *LM-67010 *
1810 *45.06 LM-12749 *LM-12711 *
1938 *49.34 09067 *09194, 95, 96 *
1968 *50.08 M-12649, 07100 *M-12610, 07196 *
1980T *N/A All internally threaded hubs *
2047 *52.08 Various *07204 *
2080 *52.92 900 series *900 series *
2240 *56.98 1700 series *1729 *
2441 *62.08 LM-67048, hub counterbored, 15123 and others *LM-67010, 15245 *
2562 65.07 48548 48510
2717 *69.06 14124, 14125A 14276 *



A somewhat less accurate, alternative sizing method, uses our Size Gauge Card. *The card can be used to select a Bearing Buddy® model based on the size of your dust cap.

*The 1980 and 1980A both fit a hub bore of 1.980 inches, however the 1980A has a blue ring which acts as a visual lubricant level indicator inside the hub.




MORAL OF THIS STORY IS:
YOU CAN'T JUST BUY THEM AND PUT THEM IN

[macojoe]

If you get the right size, line it up put a 2x4 over it and hammer the crap out of it, it will stay!!!!!!

How do the hubs look?? I had some that were rusted good and I had to get a bigger cap as it lost some meterial.

[spareparts]

sound like you had the sure lube, after you removed the rubber nipple there was a grease fitting behind it. that fitting was screwed directly into the spindel, it feeds grease from the inner seal thru a passage drilled in the spindle. they are a bit messy, but they work, you just have to remember to wipe out the excess grease before putting the nipple back on, you don't need the excess grease because the bearings get the grease first. If your bound to use the buddy style, remove the grease fitting, and k=make sure the cotterpin isn't hitting the cap. Personally, I like the sure lube type. BTW, West Marine sells the proper cap for sure lube

[macojoe]

I had sure lube on the other trailer and loved it!!

[cfelton]

Yea I lost a couple at first too. Now when I install one I clean the hub bore with carburator cleaner, wipe dry, and apply a bead of 5200 to the tapered end and tap it in. I wipe off the excess and am good to go. Havent lost one since !

[reelapeelin]

Yeah, I've lost BBs B4 too...it's a PAIN!!...clean hub good b4 ya hammer 'em in ;) ...

[Blue_Runner]

Great thoughts guys. Yeah I knew there were lots of different sizes. I think what got me was not cleaning the hub good before installing the new ones. One stayed in, but I had just gotten a new tire on that one and had it balanced - so that helped.

I think I'll go get some more like the one that stayed and 5200 em ;)

There are about three different sizes to the caps.
Making sure the hub is free of debris before installation will help prolong them staying there, however the usual culprit is improper installation either from not snugging them or beating them too much and damaging them.
As for going fishing soon, get caps (correct size) and a grease gun needle, fill the hub, put on the cap and try to locate the correct size buddies.
Elaborate on how they went on during installation.
Caps? Where do I get caps? I've looked around some but can't find them.

[Blue_Runner]

Alright you mo fo's I'm going fishing if I can get these buddies fixed ;D

[tsubaki]

http://www.agri-supply.com/retail/retail.htm

[spareparts]

agri! :D one of my favorite places to shop!

[macojoe]

Wow thats a great site Cheap!!

I needed a new trailer coupler for the new boat, I had to get a 2" 6000#

around here the cheapest was $60+ Champion Trailer was $32.00 I almost justy ordered, then I went here and I got it for $8.99 total with shipping $15.98 :o

How they do that?? O well its ordered and I will have soon Thanks!

[spareparts]

its not as fun ordering on line as it is to walk around in one(its easy to get overwhelmed), they have everything you would ever need on a farm, for cheap

[tsubaki]

Yeah don't go into the store and browse, go straight to the item you want, get it and maybe on the way out glance at other stuff, and then checkout.
You can easily spend 4 hours in there looking and forget what you came in for.

[macojoe]

Well there isn't one even close to me so I am safe!!

[Blue_Runner]

Well I was going to try to get in a rush trip this weekend but its not happening. I'm planning on next weekend if the weather will let me.

That buys me a little bit of time to fix these bearing buddies.

[Blue_Runner]

Ok, I've got an update.

I jacked up one side of the trailer cause I was going to take the wheel off to clean the grease off. Well, the hub with the brake drum was locked up! So I got some help over at the house and we were able to get the hub off to find a rusty mess inside. You could tell that the bearing in there had gotten hot...the race was pitted too and rustyish. So, time for new bearings. As for the brakes, the little thingy at the bottom that contracts the brakes we had to take out in order to be able to use the boat. I hate brakes due to this.

The problem is, you launch the boat in the moring then let it sit out in a parking lot covered in salt baking in the sun all day. Its just begging for trouble. For that reason, I want to do away with my brakes. Now that I have the Yukon and no longer tow with a Jeep Cherokee I'm fine without the brakes.

Yesterday evening I got the other side cleaned and re-packed (bearings were good). This evening I will fix the one then re-pack the other two.

Oh and by the way Tsubaki I bought some caps instead of buddies so I will install them this evening as well.

Later boys,
Blue

[tsubaki]

I looked around here, even the hardware store carries one or two sizes, not to meantion hubs, bearings and seals. ;) ;D

[spareparts]

drill a hole on the end of the cap and screw a zerk fitting in it(soem of them allow a lock nut to be installed on the inside), thats what we used to do with the yard trailers, yard boys would knock the bearing buddies off hitting the curbs, got too expensive replaceing them all teh time

[tsubaki]

You know, it never occured to me to do that.
Good suggestion,spare.

[Blue_Runner]

Good idea!

Another update, I repacked all the bearings yesterday evening. My buddy had gotten the caps for me and turns out they are the wrong size >:( I told his slack butt 1.980 but I guess it fell on deaf ears. Well I can't complain - after all he was helping me out.

So, we scrambled last night and found a place that could order only two 1.980 caps.....so I will be calling around trying to find 2 more today. Bummer.

But now, come hell or high water I am going fishing this weekend woo hoo!

;D

[spareparts]

BR, you got a Northern Supply near you? They have them

[parishht]

Try tractor supply, those stores are popping up all over.

Actually I saw bearing buddies on the shelf in the boat section of Wal-Mart. :o :o :o :o

[Blue_Runner]

Nope, no "supply" type stores nearby. I think Napa is going to be my best bet.

Parish, yeah I know wally world has buddies, but i'm looking for caps right now. Plus the wally world buddies are extremely cheap quality....I know because I bought some once.

I'll let ya'll know what I find out.

[tsubaki]

The hardware store near the house that has the 1.98 caps in packages of 2 is a "Do It Best" franchise.

[Blue_Runner]

Bought 4 caps 1.98 from Napa for $2 and some change a piece.

[LESTERUS]

IT WILL HELP IF WHEN YOU INSTALL THE BEARING BUDDY YOU USE SOME "REMOVABLE" LOCKTITE AROUND IT.

ALSO WHEN YOU REPLACE BEARINGS, TIMKEN CAME OUT WITH A NEW CORROSION RESISTANT COATING FOR THE BEARINGS, JUST ORDER BY SET# WITH AN "A" AT THE END OF THE SET#

LESTERUS

[Blue_Runner]

Thanks Lesterus! Good to see you pop in. How have you been?

[LESTERUS]

HERE AND THERE, TRYING TO MAKE MY BUSSINESS WORK.
I DON'T KNOW BOUT YOU GUYS BUT DOWN HERE IN SO. FLORIDA, SITUATION IS HORRIBLE, PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD TO MAKE MORTGAGE PAYMENTS, BETWEEN HIGH TAXES AND HOMEOWNER INSURACE I PAY $10,000.00/YR
IN A $200K HOUSE.
I'M IN THE BEARING AND POWER TRANSMISSION BUSSINESS FOR EXPORT BUT SO. AMERICA IS EVEN WORSE.

ANYHOW I READ YOU GUYS ONCE IN A WHILE.

REGARDS FOR EVERYBODY.

LESTERUS.