Installing Bearing Buddies: The Ultimate Guide to Protecting Your Trailer's Bearings

Bearing buddies are essential for protecting your trailer's bearings from water, dirt, and contaminants. By installing bearing buddies, you can extend the life of your bearings and avoid costly repairs.

Installing bearing buddies is a relatively simple process, but it's important to follow the instructions carefully to ensure that they are installed correctly. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide to installing bearing buddies, as well as some tips and tricks to help you get the job done right.

Benefits of Installing Bearing Buddies

• Extended bearing life: Bearing buddies help to protect your bearings from water, dirt, and contaminants, which can lead to premature wear and failure. According to the National Trailer Dealers Association (NTDA), improperly maintained bearings are the leading cause of trailer failures.
• Reduced maintenance costs: By installing bearing buddies, you can reduce the need for frequent bearing maintenance. This can save you time and money in the long run.
• Improved safety: Properly maintained bearings are essential for the safe operation of your trailer. Bearing buddies help to keep your bearings in good condition, which can help to prevent accidents.

How to Install Bearing Buddies

Installing bearing buddies is a relatively simple process, but it's important to follow the instructions carefully to ensure that they are installed correctly. Here is a step-by-step guide to installing bearing buddies:

1. Gather your materials. You will need the following materials to install bearing buddies:

   

   • Bearing buddies
   • Grease gun
   • Grease
   • Rags
   • Socket wrench
   • Torque wrench

2. Prepare the trailer. Park the trailer on a level surface and chock the wheels. Disconnect the trailer from the tow vehicle.

3. Remove the old bearing buddies. Use a socket wrench to remove the bolts that hold the old bearing buddies in place. Be careful not to damage the spindle or the bearing housing.

4. Clean the spindle and bearing housing. Use a rag to clean the spindle and bearing housing. Remove any grease or dirt that may be present.

5. Apply grease to the spindle. Apply a liberal amount of grease to the spindle. This will help to keep the bearings lubricated and prevent them from wearing out prematurely.

6. Install the new bearing buddies. Place the new bearing buddies on the spindle. Tighten the bolts that hold the bearing buddies in place. Be sure to torque the bolts to the manufacturer's specifications.

   

7. Fill the bearing buddies with grease. Use a grease gun to fill the bearing buddies with grease. Be sure to fill the bearing buddies until the grease comes out of the vent hole.

8. Reattach the trailer to the tow vehicle. Once the bearing buddies are installed, reattach the trailer to the tow vehicle.

Tips and Tricks for Installing Bearing Buddies

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you get the job done right when installing bearing buddies:

• Use the right grease. Not all greases are created equal. Be sure to use a grease that is specifically designed for trailer bearings.
• Don't overtighten the bolts. Overtightening the bolts can damage the bearing buddies or the spindle.
• Fill the bearing buddies with grease until it comes out of the vent hole. This will help to ensure that the bearings are properly lubricated.
• Inspect the bearing buddies regularly. Bearing buddies should be inspected regularly for signs of wear or damage. If you notice any problems, be sure to replace the bearing buddies as soon as possible.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Installing Bearing Buddies

Here are a few common mistakes to avoid when installing bearing buddies:

• Using the wrong grease. Not all greases are created equal. Be sure to use a grease that is specifically designed for trailer bearings.
• Overtightening the bolts. Overtightening the bolts can damage the bearing buddies or the spindle.
• Not filling the bearing buddies with grease until it comes out of the vent hole. This can lead to premature bearing failure.
• Not inspecting the bearing buddies regularly. Bearing buddies should be inspected regularly for signs of wear or damage. If you notice any problems, be sure to replace the bearing buddies as soon as possible.

By following these tips and tricks, you can install bearing buddies correctly and avoid costly repairs.

Additional Resources

• NTDA: Trailer Wheel End Maintenance
• etrailer: Bearing Buddies

Table 1: Benefits of Installing Bearing Buddies

Table 2: How to Install Bearing Buddies