Trailer Bearing Buddy Overview and Installation

This video is an overview of the Buddy Bearing install process for boat trailers.

[@900stx7]

I have the exact same Bearings Buddys. The instructions say you should only pump grease until the blue plastic piston is flush with the face of the hub. Using two fingers, the piston should rock side to side. This is how you insure their not under, or over packed. The piston will be in the middle of its stroke, under spring tension. It looked over filled in the video, which can cause the rear seals to blow out.

[@TheFishingEducator]

Thanks for the tip and suggestion!

[@jerryreyes1030]

Also, I was taught that an over greased bearing over packed bearing will run hotter. Excessive heat causes premature bearing failure.

[@RGDancinMachine]

My instructions say till the blue part is 1/8 of an inch out and solid.

[@ComputerKevAZ]

Good, concise, to the point video. I usually take the shortest one when I’m searching for help, and it’s almost always a winner. Thanks.

[@TheFishingEducator]

Glad it was helpful! I try to keep them short because I hate to watch through a bunch of chit chat and/or watching folks take a screw or nut off of something. :)

[@Ahch.]

Good video! Thanks for taking the time. I had no idea how to install it.

[@TheFishingEducator]

Glad I could help!

[@thundersuckler5194]

Great video, that jacks stand placement is making me cringe though. Try to get that thing under the axle next time. It's really easy for one to suddenly slip out from under a leaf springs. Especially if you are beating and working on the wheel. Good video, just be careful man.

[@TheFishingEducator]

Thanks for the tip! I will be sure to take your advice next time.

[@slappyd7388]

That was the first thing I saw too.

[@DrChim_Richels]

I typically cringe at all the comments saying how they’d do this and that better, but this one is legit. That’s a small trailer so it may be ok, but dudes working on bigger stuff may follow your lead which could be really really bad. Great point suckler….

[@kyhamoge]

😂

[@sebastianusami]

thanks, finally i found a video that explained the what and why of seeing articles say i should get these for my new trailer!

[@TheFishingEducator]

You are very welcome!

[@rickyarbrough7230]

Thank You, Great video

[@TheFishingEducator]

Glad it helped!

[@tiggersdad6878]

Geez, I couldn't take my eyes of that jack stand.

[@TheFishingEducator]

:)

[@Andrewlanthier]

That Jack stand placement though. Damn man maybe go back to drawing board for the education on that one. Get it underneath the axle, or your frame.

[@TheFishingEducator]

Thanks for the tip!

[@officialWWM]

I was dying when I saw that 😂😂

[@51-FS]

Its fine

[@mikec7373]

I was like "damn putting jack under leaf spring never would have crossed my mind"

[@mikeprice7124]

Thank you

[@TheFishingEducator]

You're welcome

[@mf6847]

Good info thanks

[@TheFishingEducator]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Supbillion]

There is a tiny hole on the side of the bearing that grease will squirt out of when the Bearing Buddy is full.

[@TheFishingEducator]

Thanks for the comment.

[@darkwarrior2383]

Thanks for the video! Question? My bearing buddies did NOT come with the dust covers, can you buy them separately?

[@TheFishingEducator]

Yes, they are sold separately.

[@artgerst1817]

The plastic caps from the grease tubes work great!

[@odiesclips7621]

Buddies are not a substitute for packing inner and outer bearings. They do not push grease into the bearings. Only pushes grease into the hollow space on the axle.

[@TheFishingEducator]

Thanks for the tip.

[@johnr5545]

Nice job god bless

[@TheFishingEducator]

Thank you! You too!

[@craigh6129]

i definitely prefer dexter hubs it pushed all old grease out from back to front.

[@TheFishingEducator]

Great tip!

[@mickthompson2575]

Thee's a little hole on the side of the bearing buddy. That hole should be pointing up when you install it so air can escape but not warm grease. Also, it's important to keep the cap on so that water doesn't get inside; very important for boat trailers. According to the manufacturer you only install enough grease for the piston to just start to move not feel firm. Over greasing like that will damage your rear seal.

[@TheFishingEducator]

Thanks for the great tip and feedback!

[@nottheatf841]

But…wheels rotate

[@mickthompson2575]

@@nottheatf841 The hole should point up for installation. Once the the grease is full, has settled, and the air has purged, the cap then covers the hole so nothing goes in or out when wheels rotate.

[@chuckm260]

​@@mickthompson2575 - In a video from a different channel the gentleman mentioned when adding grease, watch the hole for when grease starts to come out. When it does, stop adding grease. The buddy bearing is now full and no air remains. ... Are you recommending to stop adding grease sooner than this?

[@marshmellow3110]

Came here to see the jack stand comments. lol. Yo!! Get it on the axle bro! Otherwise, nice work.

[@TheFishingEducator]

Thanks! Will do!

[@truthtalker7774]

If I'm installing new hubs , bearings and everything. Do I need to pack the bearings with grease first? Thanks

[@TheFishingEducator]

Yes you do

[@truthtalker7774]

I think I'll just put the new dust caps on instead of adding bearing buddy then. I won't be submerging the trailer. Plus I don't see the point in buying a grease gun if I'm going to have to get my hands extremely messy anyway lol. Thanks for the reply!

[@RaceMentally]

@@truthtalker7774 this guy doesn’t know what bearing buddies are for. It’s NOT TO GREASE BEARINGS!!!!

[@turboleggy]

When I greased them one side was completly dry and that also also makes noise.

[@TheFishingEducator]

Did you put enough grease in them?

[@turboleggy]

@@TheFishingEducator I just got the trailer last week - came with the boat. It's at the shop and I'm in the bar as we speak. Inner bearing was worn out on that side, outer looked fine, lots of play - really glad I took it in. I think the thing that suprised me the most was that I just greased it, to the tits with marine grease but the issue is my bearing buddy system didn't come with the caps. I took the trailer in the water to launch the boat twice and basically the grease was liquid. I def will be buying caps and inspecting the grease every time I'm in the river to see if it's good or liquid. Basically grease them and see if the grease comming out the bearing buddy system is liquidy or jelly. There is some issue with this too - you don't want a lot of pressure on the bearings from the system being full all the time because people argue the pressure creates wear. Hopefully the caps will do the job. But if they don't I can squueze out a lot of reserve grease by presing the outside to take the pressure off.

[@theeabster1983]

Using he's bearing buddies you still should change your bearings once a year or repack them I should say? Thanks

[@TheFishingEducator]

I do mine every 2 years...I keep my boat in a garage, otherwise once a year is in order.

[@ammogiant824]

Oh wow, mine are 10 years old and I was just getting ready to replace mine this coming weekend.

[@marktait2578]

What if the axel is a D type spindle and already has a grease fitting in it?

[@TheFishingEducator]

Not sure on that one.

[@ericmunson6023]

@@TheFishingEducator Remove the zero sitting on the axle. Buddie will replace it!

[@PatrickRockwell-ec7jd]

How do you set up that grease gun I have same one came with no instructions

[@TheFishingEducator]

You should be able to unscrew one end of the gun and load the grease cartridge..then screw it back in....works a lot like a caulk gun.

[@bravowhiskey88]

I would put in freezer for an hour would slide right in

[@TheFishingEducator]

Love this tip!

[@allenhorning5506]

does the axcle need to be a certain kind?

[@TheFishingEducator]

No.

[@donclark8264]

Surprised didn’t get grease coming out seal. Too much greas and u have to spin hub while greasing

[@TheFishingEducator]

Thanks for the tip!

[@joshuafarnsworth2809]

You should add grease anytime you drive your trailer, and then wait for the bearings& grease to cool down and then add it again before launching your boat.

[@TheFishingEducator]

Great tip...thanks so much!

[@ceremonialguardsman]

How did you figure out what size you needed?

[@TheFishingEducator]

I pulled the old one out and matched them up.

[@MrWhiltetail]

I think bearing buddy's give people a false sense of security because they only grease the outer bearing. I wish there was a seal for the rear bearings that had a zerk fitting so you could grease the rear bearings as well.

[@TheFishingEducator]

Thanks for the comment.

[@MrWhiltetail]

@@TheFishingEducator I forgot to add that this is just my experience. I may have simply had a bad set up.

[@TriNguyen-qq5ul]

Will the grease get to the inner bearing

[@TheFishingEducator]

Yes, not a problem.

[@stevenewsam1993]

No, it will not. The bearing buddy system purpose is to keep a positive pressure via the spring and grease in the hub to prevent water intrusion. It is not to keep the inner and outer wheel bearings greased. You still need to properly grease the inner and outer wheel bearings. Some hubs come with a zerk fitting that will push grease through the inner and outer bearings,@@TheFishingEducator

[@gingerjones6436]

Working in crocs with foot under hub!

[@TheFishingEducator]

:)

[@omarmunoz9469]

Anybody ever had a wheel bearing buddy not wanting to go all the way in?

[@TheFishingEducator]

I have not...double check the size. All the best!

[@thomasstachnik1923]

Yes, so I pounded harder on the bearing buddy and must have cracked one of the rollers , which destroyed the new bearing, about 150 miles down the road! Be carefull if using a steel hammer.

[@pidhqiqe4641]

led zeppelin stairway to heaven

[@TheFishingEducator]

Love it!

[@brentdreamer2025]

You are putting too much grease in. If you overfill it, you may blow out your seals. Good video otherwise bud.

[@TheFishingEducator]

Thanks for the input and advice. :)

[@ronaldkempson7167]

I agree the rear seal will pop out if too much grease is pumped in I still think it is best to strip the hubs each year & re grease clean & reset this is just a new gimmick

[@tylercurtis441]

Metal hammer works better and it dont mess ur the buddy at all u dont need to hit that hard 😊

[@TheFishingEducator]

Agreed...thanks. :)

[@silvesturn]

Bearing buddy may be good for the outer bearings but they do not and cannot get ample grease to the inner bearing ..

[@TheFishingEducator]

Thank you for sharing your tip.

[@ordonezo1]

hope the trailer is hitched, no wheel chocks plus jack placement....better place the jack under the locking plate.

[@TheFishingEducator]

It was.

[@aaroncohen9880]

Barely pump your bearing buddies. Check Basscat boats trailer bearing recommendations

[@TheFishingEducator]

Thanks, I’ll check it out.

[@lawadm1]

Everyone should do mechanical type work with heavy tools and parts in flip-flops.

[@TheFishingEducator]

That's how we do it in the south!

[@craigtrimmer7767]

Quit.. your talking about greasing a bearing and a small tire, not talking about removing a wheel hub on a 1500 ram truck

[@aaroncohen9880]

This is a terrible idea for a boat trailer. Do not follow this advice! By pumping that much grease, you will blow out the back bearing and water will get in

[@TheFishingEducator]

Have not had any issues…do you have any suggestions on how to ensure the right amount of grease is used?

[@stevenfox3465]

Not a very good detailed video at all

[@TheFishingEducator]

Sorry you did not like it.

[@rickyarbrough7230]

Thank You, Great video

[@TheFishingEducator]

Glad you liked it!