1. How can I tell if I have genuine Bearing
Buddy® wheel bearing protectors on my trailer? Genuine
Bearing Buddy® units have an adhesive label on the Bearing Buddy® itself,
with the words "Bearing Buddy®" printed on the label. If it doesn't
say "Bearing Buddy®" on the label then it is a copy, and not a "genuine
Bearing Buddy®."
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2. What can cause a Bearing Buddy® to fall out of
the hub? The most common reason
is the hub bore diameter is wrong, because the hub manufacturer did
not maintain quality control during production. Other possible
reasons are listed below.
3. With Bearing Buddy® installed, how often do I
need to repack my bearings? We
don't recommend inspecting your bearings more frequently than once every
5 years, provided you properly maintain the grease level in the hubs,
and your bearings and seals are in new condition when you install genuine
Bearing Buddy®. The Bearing Buddy® system maintains a constant
pressure of 3 p.s.i. on the grease inside the hub. Since the hub
is always full of grease (with proper maintenance) there is no need
to repack your bearings. Some customers have reported that their
Bearing Buddy® units were removed for the first time after 10 to 15
years of use, and the bearings still looked like new.
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4. How do I determine the correct Bearing Buddy®
model for my trailer? Measure
the inside diameter of the hub or the outside diameter of the
dust cap shoulder (the part that fits into the hub) with a caliper or
micrometer. The measurement needs to be in thousandths of inches.
Most marine dealers, auto parts stores and service stations have
a caliper or micrometer and will gladly measure your dust cap for you.
You can also use a "size gauge card" (see Question 15 below).
To select the correct Bearing Buddy® Model to fit your hub, refer to
the "Selection Chart".
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5. How do I install Bearing Buddy®?
Please see our "Installation"
page.
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6. How do I remove Bearing Buddy®?
Lay a block of wood against the side
of the Bearing Buddy® and strike the wood with a hammer. Place
the wood on the opposite side and hit again. Continue this procedure
until you "walk" the Bearing Buddy® out of the hub. Don't disassemble
the Bearing Buddy® to attempt to remove it.
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7. How do I check the grease level in the hub?
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.
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8. What type of lubricant should I use? Fill
the hubs completely with a high quality, multipurpose No. 2 grade lubricant
(e.g., the type used for automotive suspensions). Don't use heavy,
fibrous greases; don't mix grease types. Rex Marine recommends the Neo Brand Red Synthetic Grease and NOT the blue marine grease commonly available at many marine outlets.
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9. What is the Bearing Buddy® Model 1980A with the
blue ring? Bearing Buddy® Model 1980A has a
blue ring, which acts as a visual lubricant level indicator inside the
hub. If the blue ring extends 1/8" past the snap ring (located
inside the barrel of the Bearing Buddy®), the hub is completely full.
If the blue ring is flush with the snap ring, the hub needs grease.
To view the snap ring see our "How Bearing Buddy®
Works" page.
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10. Does Bearing Buddy® make a threaded unit?
Yes. Model 1980T is the threaded unit. It
is available in chrome-plated or stainless steel. When installing the
Model 1980T, apply Permatex or some other greaseproof gasket cement
to the Bearing Buddy® threads, and then screw Bearing Buddy® into the
hub, hand tight.
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11. Where can I buy Bearing Buddy®?
Rex Marine is a stocking distributor of genuine Bearing Buddy products.
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12. What if none of the Bearing Buddy® models fit
my hub, can I order a custom-made Bearing Buddy®? Yes.
The factory manufactures custom sizes. Prices range from
$40 to $50 per pair. For a price quote, you will need to provide
us with your hub bore diameter or the outside diameter of the dust cap
shoulder (the part that fits into the hub). Measurements must
be in thousandths of inches.
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13. What is the Bearing Buddy® Bra?
The Bearing Buddy® Bra is a vinyl cover
that fits over the Bearing Buddy® to contain excess grease and keep
it off tires and wheels. Bearing Buddy® Bras are available in
black. For more information, see our "Bearing
Buddy Bra" page.
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14. What products does Bearing Buddy, Inc. sell?
Bearing Buddy® wheel bearing protectors,
Bearing Buddy® Bras and Spindle Seal kits.
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15. What is the size gauge card?
It
is a credit card size measuring tool that will measure your trailer's
dust cap, to help you select the correct Bearing Buddy® model. It
will measure the five most common size dust caps, which represents about
95% of all dust cap sizes. For an illustration of its use, see
our "Size Gauge Card" page.
The
size gauge cards are available at marine dealers. If your marine
dealer does not have size gauge cards in stock, they can get them from
their distributor.
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16. What is the difference between Bearing Buddy®
model 1980 and model 1980A?
These
models both fit a hub bore diameter of 1.980". Model 1980A has
a blue ring which acts as a visual lubricant level indicator inside
the hub. If the blue ring extends 1/8" past the snap ring (located
inside the barrel of the Bearing Buddy®), the hub is completely
full. If the blue ring is flush with the snap ring, the hub needs grease.
Model
1980 is the same as Model 1980A, but does not have the blue ring.
