>From what you've said, the mechanics had some negative comments about BB's
but didn't really say *why* BB's caused the problem. I haven't had that
problem, so it is hard for me to envision why it happens. As far as
"overmaintaining" is concerned, excess grease generally squeezes out the
front (outboard side) of the BB.
I don't know if the "thin stainless steel sleeve" you mention is the same,
but Unique Functional Products, the BB maker, sells what they call a
"Spindo-Seal" which is a thin stainless steel sleeve which fits over the
spindle where the seal runs to provide a smooth - thus better sealing -
surface for the seal.
Can you get more information as to *why* the mechanics blame the BB's?
-- dwf
-----Original Message-----
From: Jay O. Haire <haire@calweb.com>
To: wwpotter@tscnet.com <wwpotter@tscnet.com>
Date: Friday, September 03, 1999 17:46
Subject: Bearing Buddies
>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> West Wight Potter Website at URL
> http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>Ok folks, here's a good subject. Could possibly start a reasonable
>discussion/debate.
>
>I took my P-19 Baja trailer to a tire shop to have the bearings repacked,
>replaced, whatever. The mechanic took the tire off, saw a inverse rim
>around where the bearing has worn (probably over 4-5 years)which now allows
>grease to squirt out the back of the rear seal, he figured it was beyond
>his scope and put it all back together.
>
>This is one of the joys of buying a used rig I guess, comes with the real
>estate. Anyway, noticing that my trailer has Bearing Buddies, he said it
>was not unusual for this to occur, and that 'Bearing Buddies' were
>frequently the problem. OK
>
>Then I take the rig to a trailer repair shop, they say the same thing,
>"bearing Buddies' create a lot of reapir problems. They say, in theory,
>they are great, but in reality, the repair shops make money on them. They
>feel that good intentioned sailers over maintain there bearings because
>it's easy maintenance, squirt a little grease. That's interesting, I can
>see that.
>
>My mechanic explains that these bearing buddies are a theoretical cure for
>overanxious power boaters who can't wait for their bearings to cool down.
>But with a sail boat and set up time required (real, not IM time), we have
>no need for such an item. Either way, he won't put them back on, he will
>only put dust caps back on.
>
>Also, as a side note.....once he takes the hub off, if the ridge on the
>spindle isn't to bad, he can put a very thin stainless steel sleeve over
>the spindle rather than replace the complete axle saving me mucho bucks.
>Sounds cool.
>
>At any rate....opinions?
>
>Later
>