School me on greasing trailer bearings...

[Sidarousmg]

working on going through my refresh checklist before the season begins. It's time for some new tires so i thought I would also check on the trailer bearings. I've heard a lot about the bearing buddys. would they just replace the dust cap on my trailer (picture below) or does this style hub require that I use what is already on there? the zerc fitting is directly behind the black rubber plug, so not sure if that comes off if I remove the metal cap or if it is part of the wheel hub and therefore would prevent the bearing buddys from being installed. thank you.

 

[dgfreeze]

It's hard to tell from the pic whether that is a bearing buddy (I don't think so?) or an EZ lube axle. EZ lube is better, as it's integrated into the spindle of the axle, and actually cycles the old grease out as you put fresh in. Bearing buddys are different in that you basically pressurize the grease/bearing cavity, and they have a spring loaded contraption to help with that, and *hopefully* not overpressurize it, which can pop out/blow the inner seal, which will sling grease all over your boat. Sometimes, if the fitment isn't good, they can also pop themselves off the hub, usually when you're going down the road at 70mph. They're not awful, don't get me wrong, my boat has them, and I'm going to keep using them, as they're much much better than nothing, but my primary point is, if you've got EZ lube (aka, a grease zerk in the end of the spindle itself), you're in better shape than bearing buddys. All you need to do is figure out what the zerk is attached to, which might require removing the cap to verify.

 

[kgower]

 

[dgfreeze]

I should probably also mention, if it is EZ lube (leaning that way), just pump slowly. It is possible to overpressurize the rear cavity if you pump too fast, which can also pop out/blow the inner seal.

 

[Sidarousmg]

@dgfreeze thank you. I'm almost certain "EZ lube" is what i have, i didn't know the name. what prompted me to look closely at the bearing is that the grease "cap" or "cover" isn't in very good shape and that rubber plug is cracking. I take it I can just replace that cap then, without messing with anything else....

 

[dgfreeze]

Yep, they should be available at just about any parts store, or trailer sales location. You should be able to replace just the rubber for a couple bucks each, or both for less than ten...