Posted 2008-06-07 11:25 PM (#85371 - in reply to #84190) Subject: RE: wheel bearing grease
Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont
These two are almost totally different systems with the only things in common are filling the hub with grease by means of a Zerk fitting.
Bearing Buddy is a spring-loaded grease cap on the hub. One fills the hub with grease, from the outside in, using the Zerk fitting until the hub is filled (I don't know where the air goes..). The spring keeps the hub under positive pressure, so that when a warm hub is dunked in cold water, the shrinkage won't pull in water past the seal and grease cap to contaminate the grease. There is no way for fresh grease to lubricate the inner bearings unless the seal leaks. Under hot highway conditions, expanding grease has to push the spring back or exit through the seal in older models; newer models may have pressure relief valve to prevent this. Newer BBs use a special seal to prevent overpressure, obviously requiring disassembly of the bearings to install.
BBs are also subject to loss by getting knocked off, excess tire bounce from unbalanced tires and theft, according to the BB site.
OTOH, the EZLube, AG Hub and Spindle-Lube systems have no pressurization except when pumping grease. The axle spindle is hollow and has a Zerk fitting on the outer end, covered by a rubber cap. The inner end of the spindle has holes between the inner bearing and the seal. With the rubber cover removed, fresh grease is pumped into the spindle (by hand pump, with wheel jacked up and slowly turning, according to Dexter). The grease goes down the spindle, comes out the holes, goes through both the inner and outer bearings and comes out next to the Zerk, forcing the old grease out. Once the hub is greased, if the grease expands, coming out through the rubber cap is easier than getting past the seal. (I recommend scooping out some of the excess grease under the cap to prevent grease fling, but be careful because the inner edge of the metal cap is *sharp* and fresh blood looks really strange on greasy fingers...).
With the spindle-lube systems, one can also choose to hand pack bearings in the conventional manner, esp if one doesn't like having a hub full of grease.
Posted 2008-06-08 3:34 PM (#85394 - in reply to #84190) Subject: RE: wheel bearing grease
Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
I now you didn't ask me but.... If my shoes were worn out. I think I would just swap out the entire backing plate, shoes, magnets, etc. You can replace the whole assembly for just a little more money and it's all new. And it's alot faster. JMHO. k
Posted 2008-06-08 4:13 PM (#85400 - in reply to #85371) Subject: RE: wheel bearing grease
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
Originally written by PaulChristenson on 2008-06-07 12:25 AM
Bearing Buddy . There is no way for fresh grease to lubricate the inner bearings unless the seal leaks. BBs are also subject to loss by getting knocked off, excess tire bounce from unbalanced tires and theft, according to the BB site.
Five trailers, thousands of miles over many years. No missing BBs. If you install synthetic grease it will suffer little wear and add greatly to the bearings' longevity. All the bearings and grease stay clean and lubricated because no dust or water can enter.
There are a few details I would do differently (since I'm a mechanical fussy pants) but it is a basic primer.
Gard, Paul, Chadsalt, etc... Care to comment on these videos?
Looks pretty good to me. I generally have a couple dabs of grease strategically placed to help make sure the shoes dont drag after the brakes are released. Pulling both drums on a side gives you a "working" copy to compare your progress to, if one is inexperienced or ends up with 'extra' parts.
retento mentioned replaceing the whole assembly, Ive been known to do that also. The whole loaded backing plate can be had for $50 each, compared to shoes only at $25 set. If the magnets have to be replaced also, its a no brainer $$$ wise.
Posted 2008-06-12 12:06 PM (#85582 - in reply to #85394) Subject: RE: wheel bearing grease
Veteran
Posts: 148
Location: South of Dallas
Originally written by retento on 2008-06-08 3:34 PM I now you didn't ask me but.... If my shoes were worn out. I think I would just swap out the entire backing plate, shoes, magnets, etc. You can replace the whole assembly for just a little more money and it's all new. And it's alot faster. JMHO. k
Retento, can you get the whole assembly already assembled and ready to pop on the trailer? Or do you have to put it all together?