I think what the mechanics are speculating is that the pressure inside the
hub acts on the lip of the seal, forcing it to wear (hold dirt more likely)
against the spindle and develop a groove there. It' seems plausible to me.
Although my trailer has buddies, I'm only pumping them occasionally nowadays.
Even though the seals are less than a year old, whatever grease I add seems
to find it's way onto the inside of the wheel and fender eventually. I think
that's just the way it is with those things. I'm not a big fan.
I'm more impressed by the set-up that Harry Gordon just installed. With his
new axle the grease isn't kept under pressure. As you pump the new grease
into the spindle, the old contaminated grease comes out. The system basically
allows you to repack the bearings in a few moments without dis-assembly.
Dave Kautz
P-15 #1632 Tilly Lucy
Palo Alto, CA
In a message dated 9/4/99 10:08:28 AM Pacific Daylight Time, BdeMent@aol.com
writes:
<< Simple: excessive grease pressure not only compresses the (bearing
buddies)
BB spring and 'oozes' out the little hole in the front, it also pushes the
rear seal out of shape and splatters grease over the inside of the wheel.
Grease on the inside of the wheel should be a dead give away that the seals
are shot. The BB's per se are NOT the problem. It's an operator problem
with the grease gun... >>