A mystery solved-a lesson learned

C

C-Val

Member
Last year I had to replace one of my trailer axles because water had gotten in and blew out the bearing after it rusted. Axle was beyond repair.
That was a $2500 special with new brakes. Mechanic reinstalled same bearing buddies. I never understood this as the trailer was only 2 years old

This year while doing regular maintenance I pulled off the dust caps from the bearing buddies to grease and that’s when I noticed the exact same wheel was full but of water behind the dust cap. After taking careful notice I saw a small slit it the dust cap. Apparently every time I backed into the water some got into that wheel and was held there while driving and parked. Eventually it worked its way inside. A repeat of exact problem

A new dust cap would have cost about $2 but we didn’t know
I hope I caught it in time this year

My mystery solved and a lesson learned!
 
A reason why I prefer the "Posilube" type of system, where the grease is put into the area between the two bearings.

The second part of the "lesson" should be to inspect the bearings regularly. We do it before each long trip, and often pump new grease into the areas between the bearings.

I don't think that the "dust caps" are truly water resistant or proof, even lack of a "slit' or "crack".
 
Somebody please correct me if I am wrong on this one. I have an old 1965 14' Valco that I have been launching in saltwater weekly for about 8 years now and have never had an issue with the axle or bearings. I also have bearing buddies and grease them before and after each saltwater use besides doing a good freshwater blast on each side of the wheel once out of the saltwater. I don't use a dust cap on them and they do fine just being open to the air (probably because I grease them so much and always wipe off the nipple before applying grease). To this day, the bearings have that perfect little bump when I wiggle the wheel as a safety check before heading down the road. Works for me to not have the dust cap. :D
 
Personally I hate the bearing buddies. Anytime I've pumped grease into the system that way, it ends up getting past the seals and on the brakes. I either stick with regular hubs and pull and regrease annually, or I run Oil Bath hubs. With the Oil bath and clear caps, I can see the condition of the oil and know if water has entered. Ultimately, any problem is with seals leaking. Be it the main hub seal, or the little rubber plug in the middle of the Kodiak Caps.
 
One major culprit with water in the hubs, is launching right after a long run when the hubs are hot. Immersion cools them off, and creates a vacuum, sucking water into the hub. We take a period of time (usually an hour) getting the boat ready for the launch, and allows the bearings to cool down.
 
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