Bearing buddies
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9012
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Topic: Bearing buddies
Posted By: Pod People
Subject: Bearing buddies
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2016 at 6:00pm
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We had a wheel bearing failure while on our latest trip. Luckily, I saw the smoking wheel quick enough to avoid any major damage. We were able to pull off the road immediately. Lucky for us, the problem occurred about 1/4 mile from an RV dealer. Once the wheel cooled, we slowly made it to their shop and the wheel was removed. the bearings were totally wasted, but the axle spindle was only slightly scratched. A new hub, bearings and seals were installed and the spindle polished and all is ok after $260 in repairs. the mechanic mentioned that Bearing buddies might have prevented the problem. I did an initial on-line search and found lots of different sizes and info. Sounds like potentially a good insurance part to add to the wheels and hubs. I talked with several others and they seemed to think they were primarily for boat trailers that were continuously immersed in water. Has anyone here used them or had any experience with Bearing buddies? thanks Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2016 at 6:14pm
| I have used bearing buddies for years, primarily on boat trailers. Because you do immerse the axle in water. I can't see any harm in using them on a travel trailer. Presently I do normal maintenance on the R-Pod much like I do my vehicles. Which is a yearly inspection, cleaning and re-grease of the bearings. Not a big job, little messy. My only warning would be even greased bearings wear out. So I like to look at them and verify condition. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2016 at 10:05pm
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Please don't add the bearing buddies. They are not needed. The R-Pods come with SuperLube hubs (Lippert axles) or Ez-Lube hubs (if they have Dexter axles). Remove the rubber seal under the hub, and you will see a grease fitting. Pump grease in there while spinning the wheel. Do this until you see new grease coming out of the hub. You can find videos of how to do this online.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2016 at 9:21am
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+1 ^^ ------------- |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2016 at 11:47am
Good to know. Thanks. Is the recommended interval every year, or should we be able to get two or three years out of one grease "charge"? |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2016 at 2:45pm
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I plan on doing this annually. I think that if one is having it done manually on an annual basis, using the SuperLube hub annually would be a good choice also.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2016 at 4:41pm
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As already pointed out,Pods essentially come with "bearing buddies," or SuperLube hub. If yours doesn't, I don't see any reason for not installing bearing buddies. They provide an easy way to grease the bearings without removing the hub. Having the SuperLube hub or bearing buddies does not take the place of periodic visual inspection of the bearings and spindes |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2016 at 11:01pm
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The essential difference from what I see between the SuperLube hub and the Bearing Buddy is that the SuperLube hub is made so the grease goes all the way to the rear of the assembly and pushes the old grease out. The Bearing Buddy only caps the hub and has a grease fitting for adding grease. However, that only gets fresh grease to the outside bearing but there does not seem to be any way to push the grease to the inner bearing. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |