To hub buddy or not to hub buddy?......

maldo · Apr 25, 2013

So I just replaced my hubs on my trailer since the bearing went bad and I wasn't 100% confident the hub didn't get damaged. Now that they are new what do you guys think about hub buddy? Are they necessary? Or can you get away without using them?

Loggerhead Mike · Apr 25, 2013

I don't like them

PATRIOT · Apr 25, 2013

Ran them and took them off . . . installed Zerk fittings directly on my hubs.
https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=26578&hilit=zerk

tomme boy · Apr 26, 2013

They work good if you know how to use them. Most people put too much grease in them, then blow out the rear seal. Then the bearings go bad. You only put in enough grease to see any movement of the plate or spring. Usually 2-3 pumps.

PATRIOT · Apr 26, 2013

The whole theory behind them is flawed. If grease was a liquid I might buy the theory (positive pressure inside the hub to keep water out) but since it's not there is no way to get all the air voids out of the grease and therefore lube all the bearings uniformly with them.

JMichael · Apr 26, 2013

tomme boy said:
They work good if you know how to use them. Most people put too much grease in them, then blow out the rear seal. Then the bearings go bad. You only put in enough grease to see any movement of the plate or spring. Usually 2-3 pumps.

I agree. And I'm not sure what theory there is but as long as there is more pressure inside the bearing cavity than there is on the outside in the lake water, water can not get inside. Not that water is all that bad, but the dirt and grit that the water carries is what you need to be worried about. The biggest problem with bearing buddies is that people either overfill them and blow their seals or they think they never have to do anything with them so they don't ever bother to add grease.