So I think my Buddy Bearings are going out I'm leaking some grease from the inside of the bearing where it bolts to the hub.

On buddy bearings is this typical?

Not an excessive amount is coming off or anything just a thin line of grease from the seal area on one side that I noticed when I was under there checking everything.

That is just the seal leaking...Probbably from pumping too much grease into the BuddyBearing.Now if it start slinging greese out and covering the inside of the wheel....Then you need new seals.Not Buddy Bearings.

Sorry....You talking about the inside of the hub???? Under the trailer???? Or where the Bearing buddy seats inside the hub on the outer part of the hub???

I'm talking if I were to remove the tire... and inspect the hub its the inner bearing closer to the axle housing... A very thin line of grease, I wiped it with one finger checked it after 100 mile run and nothing... I have yet to squirt any grease into the buddy bearings so it cant be that... I neglect my trailer I should be more cautious with the miles I put on her.

Have you ever packed bearings before. No time like the present to learn. I just replaced the bearings and seals on my trailer since I had the boat off and saw a little grease in the inside of one hub. If you have to get into the hub you might as well go back with all new guts. I mean for less than 30.00 you can replace everything on 2 hubs. Its a no brainer. And Cope is right, its your inner seal that has leaked or busted. BBs keep pressure on the grease compressing it into the entire hub, or that is the theory anyway. But you should be pulling your hubs at least every 18 months to inspect them IMO. And then its just as easy to replace the guts since they are so cheap.

Or havin ya wheel fall off in the boat ramp while tryin to trailer the boat. Yeah, that sucked.

Chaulked it up as a lesson learned. ALWAYS carry spare bearing kit or hub kit and enough tools to change it out.

Poker, you sure we're talkin about the same thing? I had to beat the damn bearing race off the spindle with a maul. Sho nuff a messy azz job tho.

I've changed bearing on this one before... Actually I had one fail... When I bought trailer that had one standard bearing set on the right side and a buddy bearing setup on the left... If y'all remember my post it was a PITA to deal with because it bent the spindle and I had to get axle replaced... Only 4 months old! This axle is less than a year old and probably has 8000 miles on her since she was brand new.

Trailer is in LA I really don't want to replace the seals on BB I think they are pressed in there? Someone correct me if I'm wrong on that...I've replaced before cotter pin, spindle nut and the whole thing should come right off...

My issue is I've never broken down a BB. I'm sure you have to press out the seals etc.

Trailers are definitely the most neglected part of the boat package.

I have BB's and like some said above, just a couple of squirts of grease every now and then should do the trick. I thought most of them came with a small hole for pressure release and bleed offs to not overfill them?

I repack my bearings once a year and change out the inside hub seal as part of the job, Those seals are like $4 a piece from Napa. Once a year might be overkill, but I rather do it in my shop in a controlled climate environment than at night on a ramp or bridge in the pouring ran or on the side of a ditch with 100 degree heat.

Not sure if BB's sell replacement parts like seals or not.

I like my Magic Tilt trailer, but I liked the old Bear Trailer I had with my G3 even more. Those hubs had grease zerks tapped all the way to the 2nd set of bearings. Any fresh grease pumped in went to the back and pushed all the old shit out. It was like repacking bearings evertime you put grease in.

I had a new axle put on my trailer a few years ago and noticed those grease zert spindles a little to late. Those would be the ticket to ensure grease to the rear bearing like you said.

Dyou have buddy bearings or just the rubber seal/ and a metal dust cover? On my trailer i dont have buddy bearings. It has a zerk on the spindle that pushes grease through the spindle with holes after the inner bearing which forces grease from the back of the hub to the front. so it essence keeps both inner and outer bearing full of grease and the cavity in the hub Between the races filled aswell. I like this design alot and is easy to flush the grease often withough a full teardown.
After 2 years of pulling lots of miles I pulled my hubs off to inspect the bearings after pumping grease in them every other trip out and the bearing have minimal wear. i will replace after the summer, but the ticket is to keep those TINY ass 1-1/16" bearing lubed properly and you will NOT have many issues.

Buddy bearings to my knowlege actually keep the hub under pressure with grease. if you notice an actual bearing buddy has a spring. You are supposed to pump greas until it pushed the plate/plunger out a small amount. Too much pressure you will blow out the seal in the back of the hub.

WEA if you have any doubt abotu the seal change it along with the bearings. It is cheap insurance, as its an easy task that can take abotu an hour for both sides taking my time drinking beer.

I have buddy bearings... Anyone have a link on how to press out the seals? I don't mind replacing them, repacking etc I've done it before.

You got me a little cofused. Are you wanting to rebuild the "Bearing Buddy" itself??? Do you have grease leaking back out from around the plunger of the BB or something? I looked at the BB site and it didn't list a rebuild kit or parts. They are cheap enough to just buy a new set. Or you can do like all the cheap azz rednecks do and steal them of other trailers at the launch....... I have had at least 3 stolen at the launch over the years. So I usually have a spare BB in the tool box too.

If it is the axle this is:
http://www.etrailer.com/faq-wheelbearingpack.aspx

If you want to take the BB apart just take the snap ring off and clean out the inside

I am anal about the trailor and I feel confident that 2 were stolen. The other is a maybe but I kick the tires before a trip. LOL

Maybe you do this already but if you don't then do this if you ever take off a BB from the hub, be sure that you take a chisel and hit the end that goes into the hub at least 2 places to make it hold better.

Yeah, i am confused too.

You wanting to rebuild the Bearing Buddy? I have never heard of doing that. You can buy a new set for $30. And they can be replaced with out taking the hub apart. Just pop them out and pop the new one in and shoot some grease in, you will be good to go. Takes about 2 minutes per wheel...

Like was said earlier, if you are throwing grease out on the outer wheel, replace your bearing buddy. If you are throwing grease out on the inner wheel you inner seal is bad, and you should replace that, and while you are there you should rebuild the whole hub (meaning replace the two races, the two bearings, the inner seal, and repack with grease). You can buy a set of bearings, races, seal, new cotter pin, all for $20. You need two sets if you are doing both wheels.


Just did it all yesterday on one hub. Was changing the tire out and noticed it had a wiggle. Opened it up and sure enough inner bearing was in pieces.

Simple job. Hardest part is banging out the races and putting the new ones in (which you can skip and use the old ones, but I have always been told while you are there might as well replace them), but as stated earlier, it is nasty job...

Then had to replace a bearing buddy on our other trailer cause it was leaking and slinging grease everywhere...

and X2 on the don't overfill your bearing buddys, that is what blows the seal out. Some have a indicator and some have a relief whole that grease comes out when full, but as stated above just make sure the spring is not bottomed out...

Good luck-hope you get it sorted out....

Okay obviously I've misspoke.

That's why I asked y'all to correct me...

I've installed and disassembled only a few trailer bearings.

So, am I correct in saying... I should just go by two replacement buddy bearings, toss them on and squirt some grease in and go on down the road...? I only see one leaking and its from the inside seal (closest to axle tube) not the tire which I call the outside.

I'm assuming the seal has failed in there & that's why its leaking a little...

***EDIT***

I've never taken a BB off... its my understanding it just an added park that sits on the end of the hub that gives you an easier way of "greasing" your bearings.

I still need to disassemble, pull hub, inspect bearings, replace seals and check the races (sp?)

It's been a long day sorry for getting everyone confused

Still goes to where the grease is leaking.

But yes, if you are leaking on the inside, you need to replace the inner seal.

You probably don't need a new hub, just the bearing kit (bearings, race, seal, cotter pin)

You can just preplace the inner seal, but it is so cheap and easy to just 'rebuild' the whole thing you might as well while there..

AND, if you are talking about your "Bearing Buddy" when you say bearings, and it is leaking grease on the outside, then yes just buy some new bearing buddies (usually come in a two pack) and throw them on, shoot some grease and roll on.... (make sure you get the right size-I like to pull the old one off and take it in and match it-tractor supply, walmart, boat shops all carry them...)

To pull the old buddy bearings just tap them with a hammer all the way around-just keep tapping out towards the end of it and it just works out.

I think part of the confusion is that a Bearing Buddy is not actually a bearing-it is a "buddy for your bearings" as in it helps protect your bearings and therefore is a "buddy".. There are several brands Bearing Buddy is just one and is what people commonly referred to them all as.... I think the one with the indicator is Red Eye-it has a little red "eye" that pops when full...

Tractor Supply has a generic brand (it is what I used yesterday)... It was $30 for the pair...

Good luck and keep us posted on what you do and how it works...

you edited your post a few times since my last reply, BUT..

You still need to figure out where the grease is coming from.

The "bearing buddy" and the hub are two separte pieces... It is an aftermarket add on to help keep greae pushed in on the bearings and makes it easier to grease.

If it is leaking on the inside (as I think you changed your last post to say it is)then you probably don't need to change your bearing buddies, and need to rebuild your hub. And yes that requires pullng it all off and rebuilding (which is a way of saying replace the bearings, race, and inner seal....

Just to help with taking it all apart:

Jack up the trailer high enough so you can spin the wheel.

While slowly spinning the tire, gently tap the "bearing buddy" with a hammer. Its force fitted and will slide right on out.

Once the bearing buddy is removed, you will see the spindle nut. Remove the cotter pin, and spindle nut.

Now your entire hub and tire will slide off the axle. No need to remove the tire from the hub.

You should be able to remove the rear seal. The seal towards the inside of the trailer.

Now both bearings should fall out or come out pretty easy with the tap of a screwdriver and hammer.

Next, the "race" (little round sleeve the bearings were sitting in) should be visible. With your screwdriver and hammer gently tap them out. Tap the front side out from the back, and the back side out from the front. You do not absolutely have to replace this piece, but might as well while your in there. It comes with the bearing kit.

Now your ready for your new parts. The smaller side of the race and the bearings go towards the inside of the hub. Wider part will face out. Tap in the rear race, then bearing(make sure you coat the bearings real good before putting them in the hub), then hand fill with grease (just push it in there), then put on your rear seal. Tap the front race back in, put in your front bearing, and hand pack with grease from the front. Put the wheel back on the axle, replace spindle nut, replace cotter pin, replace bearing buddy. Few squirts of grease and your done.

Good luck

Great post Cb. That's what it's really all about right there, helpin a brother out.

Now, Coe, get off the damn computer and go fix ya trailer. You aint got no more excuses now.

WEA the previos guys posted helpful info. Here is what I can additionally share. I figure pictures will help anyone understand the 2 different types oh hub/ spindle lubrication systems. Its stupid easy how both work

EZ lube spindles like I have, here is an explaniation with a pic.
Here is how EZ lube spindles work
http://dexteraxle.com/i/u/1080235/f/pro ... e_3-09.pdf

here is the dust seal on the ouside of the hub (installs the same as a dust cover)


Here is a cutaway if a bearing buddy/ wheel hub assembly
Here is how they work
http://www.bearingbuddy.com/why.html

here is buddy bearing itself

The type of lube system that Maxis is talking about is what I had on my old Bear trailer. That system is the real deal!

yall beat this one pretty hard.

but ill add the following,
bb are good to keep presurred greese on the brearing, but they can cause problems also. as stated you can blow the wheel seal with them. the newer ones are better because they have the releaf hole. but the greese can get hard and stop up the hole.

the drilled spindle is good. it gets greese to both bearings. but they to can cause the wheel seal to blow. also if the seal fails you can push water and dirt into the bearinngs.

both systems are good for the time between regular maintence.

you should repack the bearings every year. not a hard job, but i little messy. all the part shores have a cheap packer that you conect to a greese gun. pull the bearings wipe the greese off the out side , put them in the packer and pump the old greese out. look at the rollers. any color, rust, pitts or cracks, get new ones. other wise repack.
always replace the seal. you will probabilly tear it up getting the bearings out.