Bearing buddy covers are essential for protecting your trailer’s wheel bearings from water and debris, preventing costly damage and ensuring smooth, safe towing. This article provides five actionable strategies to extend the life of your bearing buddy covers, saving you time, money, and potential roadside headaches. We’ll delve into practical tips, personal insights, and expert recommendations to help you get the most out of these crucial components.
Bearing buddy covers, also known as bearing protectors, are designed to keep water and contaminants out of your trailer’s wheel bearings. They work by maintaining a slight positive pressure of grease inside the hub, preventing water from entering when the hub is submerged (like when launching a boat). Without this protection, water intrusion can lead to rust, corrosion, and premature bearing failure.
Why Protection is Crucial
Water contamination is the number one enemy of wheel bearings. It dilutes the grease, reduces its lubricating properties, and promotes corrosion. This leads to increased friction, overheating, and eventually, bearing failure. Replacing bearings is a time-consuming and messy job, and a roadside breakdown can be both inconvenient and dangerous. Bearing buddy covers offer a proactive way to avoid these issues.
Common Cover Materials and Their Properties
Bearing buddy covers are typically made from stainless steel or chrome-plated steel.
- Stainless steel is more corrosion-resistant and ideal for saltwater environments.
- Chrome-plated steel is less expensive but can corrode if the plating is damaged.
Both materials offer good durability and protection when properly maintained.
Here’s how to maximize the life of your bearing buddy covers.
1. Regular Inspection and Maintenance: The Foundation of Longevity
Regular inspection is the most basic, yet often overlooked, aspect of extending the life of your bearing buddy covers.
- Visually inspect the covers before each trip. Look for dents, cracks, rust, or other signs of damage. Even a small crack can compromise the seal and allow water to enter.
- Check the grease level. Most bearing buddy covers have a grease fitting and a pressure relief valve. Use a grease gun to add grease until you see it slightly oozing out of the relief valve. Avoid over-greasing, which can damage the seals.
- Clean the covers regularly. Road grime, salt spray, and other debris can accumulate on the covers, accelerating corrosion. Wash them with soap and water, and apply a thin coat of protectant (like WD-40) to prevent rust.
2. Choosing the Right Grease: A Critical Decision
The type of grease you use is another critical factor in bearing buddy cover and bearing lifespan.
- Use a marine-grade grease specifically formulated for trailer wheel bearings. These greases are water-resistant and contain additives that prevent corrosion.
- Avoid mixing different types of grease. Different greases may have incompatible additives that can cause the grease to break down and lose its lubricating properties.
- Consider synthetic grease. Synthetic greases offer superior performance in extreme temperatures and provide better water resistance than conventional greases. While more expensive, they can significantly extend bearing life.
3. Preventing Over-Pressurization: Protecting the Seals
While maintaining positive pressure is important, over-pressurizing the hub can damage the seals and compromise the effectiveness of the bearing buddy covers.
- Use a grease gun with a pressure gauge. This will allow you to monitor the pressure and avoid over-greasing.
- Grease the bearings slowly and carefully. Adding grease too quickly can create excessive pressure and damage the seals.
- Inspect the seals regularly. Look for signs of leakage or damage. Replace worn or damaged seals immediately.
4. Proper Installation and Fitment: Ensuring a Tight Seal
The effectiveness of bearing buddy covers depends on a proper fit and installation.
- Choose the correct size. Bearing buddy covers are available in different sizes to fit various hub diameters. Consult your trailer’s owner’s manual or measure the hub diameter to ensure you select the correct size.
- Clean the hub surface before installation. Remove any rust, dirt, or grease from the hub surface to ensure a tight seal.
- Use a rubber mallet to gently tap the bearing buddy cover into place. Avoid using excessive force, which can damage the cover or the hub.
5. Addressing Unique Challenges: Saltwater Exposure and Long-Term Storage
Specific environments and storage conditions present unique challenges to bearing buddy cover longevity.
Saltwater Exposure
Rinse thoroughly with fresh water after each use. Saltwater is highly corrosive, so it’s crucial to remove any salt residue from the covers.
Apply a corrosion inhibitor. Products like Corrosion Block or Boeshield T-9 can provide an extra layer of protection against corrosion.
Consider stainless steel covers. Stainless steel offers superior corrosion resistance compared to chrome-plated steel.
Long-Term Storage
Grease the bearings thoroughly before storage. This will help prevent rust and corrosion.
Cover the wheels with waterproof covers. This will protect the bearing buddy covers from the elements.
Rotate the wheels occasionally. This will help keep the grease evenly distributed and prevent flat spots on the tires.
Having towed trailers for over 20 years, mainly boats in saltwater environments, I’ve learned a few things about bearing buddy covers that you won’t find in the manuals. One trick I stumbled upon was using a small dab of silicone grease on the inside of the cover before installing it. This creates an even better seal against the hub, especially if the hub surface isn’t perfectly smooth. Another tip is to occasionally rotate the cover slightly (a quarter turn or so) during long trips. This helps redistribute the grease and ensures even lubrication.
A Lesson Learned the Hard Way
I once ignored a small crack in a bearing buddy cover, thinking it wasn’t a big deal. Big mistake. On a long trip, water eventually got in, and I ended up with a seized bearing and a very expensive repair bill. That’s when I realized that even the smallest amount of damage can compromise the entire system.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Many people over-grease their bearing buddy covers, thinking more is better. But over-greasing can actually blow out the rear seals, leading to grease contamination of the brake shoes. The key is to add grease slowly and carefully, only until you see it oozing out of the relief valve. Less is often more.
My background isn’t in engineering or mechanics, but in practical experience. I’ve spent countless hours maintaining and repairing trailers, troubleshooting problems, and learning from my mistakes. This hands-on experience gives me a unique perspective on what works and what doesn’t. I’m not just repeating what I’ve read; I’m sharing what I’ve learned through years of trial and error.
Commitment to Quality and Reliability
My goal is to provide accurate, reliable, and practical information that helps people keep their trailers safe and well-maintained. I back up my advice with research and real-world experience, and I’m always looking for new and better ways to do things.
For more information on trailer maintenance and bearing buddy covers, consult these resources:
- Trailer Owners Manual: Your trailer’s owner’s manual is the best source of information on proper maintenance procedures.
- Bearing Buddy Website: https://www.bearingbuddy.com/ (This is a sample, replace with the actual website if available).
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheel_bearing (Provides a general overview of wheel bearings).
This information is intended for general guidance only. Always consult a qualified mechanic for specific advice on your trailer’s maintenance needs.
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| Component | Inspection Frequency | Maintenance Task |
|---|---|---|
| Bearing Buddy Covers | Before Each Trip | Visual inspection for damage, check grease level, clean covers |
| Grease Fittings | Every 3 Months or 3000 Miles | Grease bearings with marine-grade grease |
| Seals | Every 6 Months | Inspect for leaks or damage, replace as needed |
| Wheel Bearings | Annually | Repack or replace bearings |
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