Bearing Buddies wont stay on

[doehunter]

I have bearing buddies on my hubs, and one side stays on but the other has fallen off twice. Two times I noticed in my driveway it was gone. I don't know if it was gone at the ramp or if I dunked it that way or not.
I'm thinking since the replacement fell off too, that the ID on the hub must be a few thousands too big.
I'm wondering if this happens to anyone else and how they fixed it.
I'm thinking I have two options.
1. I could clean the area, and use Locktite, or superglue or something of that nature.
2. Stretch the new bearing buddy somehow to make it fit tighter.
The bearing buddy package says it's a 2" model. Maybe I could set it on my hitch ball and hit it with a hammer to open it up a little?
I know I need to take off the hub, clean, inspect, and regrease it, but I need a plan where I only do this once.
Jim

 

[monkeybars]

buy a new hub that isn't worn out,and keep your old one for emergencies.

 

[caguy]

Mine popped off too. I ruffed up the chrome on the bearing to increase friction and cleaned well before reinserting. I also may have over filled with grease. You can generate quite a bit of hydrostatic pressure if the spring is compressed all of the way. I now only fill to half the capacity. No more problems after that.

 

[Justin_NSA]

Mine both had some red, probably Loctite, around them. That might work for you. Otherwise you may need a new hub.
If you have brakes, be sure to inspect them while you have the hub off when repacking the bearings. I discovered that both of my wheel cylinders were rusted solid.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

how about dimple the side edge with a metal chisel / punch ?

 

[Sumner]

I bought one new hub to replace one on our orginal axle (no brakes) and I think it was only $35 at the local parts store. That was for a hub, not a drum or rotor. You don't have brakes do you?

Also as Frank mentioned you don't want to fill them too much,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

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[doehunter]

I bought one new hub to replace one on our orginal axle (no brakes) and I think it was only $35 at the local parts store. That was for a hub, not a drum or rotor. You don't have brakes do you?

Also as Frank mentioned you don't want to fill them too much,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

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I looked at hubs at an Academy store. (sporting goods) Hubs were about $45.00. How do I know it will fit on my spindle? I wouldn't mind having one as a spare.
When I look at mine, it doesn't look worn, I think it's just machined a little on the loose end of their tolerance. (why would it be worn right there?)
I don't want to "peen" it, because then it wouldn't seal.
Might try the Locktite and/or try swaging out the bearing buddy housing to tighten it up. Probably only needs a couple thou.
No brakes.
I don't think it was too much grease, but it's possible. I'll watch that for sure this time around.
Jim

 

[Sumner]

I looked at hubs at an Academy store. (sporting goods) Hubs were about $45.00. How do I know it will fit on my spindle? I wouldn't mind having one as a spare. Jim

I'll bet it is one that will fit a [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1 3/8" X 1 1/16" spindle. The 1 1/16" is the dia. at the outboard end of the spindle where the bearing goes on and the 1 3/8" is the inboard spindle dia. for the bearing there. There can be a couple different size inner seals depending on the dia. there.

The best way is to pull you hub off and take it down to the parts store. They should have better pricing than a sporting goods store. Since there is only one parts store in our town I thought they might not have the best pricing, but I know I paid under $40 for a new hub assembly that included the bearings, seal and new lug nuts. That was also a plus as the one I took off had lug bolts and they are a pain. Someone had already changed hubs before we bought the boat/trailer as it had nuts on one side and bolts on the other.

Champion has....

http://www.championtrailers.com/hubs.html

Galvanized for under $40 and painted for under $30 complete.

Also make sure they have the right bolt pattern. They probably are 'Ford' 5 on 4 1/2 inches. There again take you hub. Make sure you don't over-tighten the spindle nut on re-install. If you aren't sure how read or ask,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links


[/FONT]

 

[doehunter]

In these days when most things seem to cost so much, once in a while something like this comes along. Several different companies had a hand in that assembly, all making a profit.
Then the last one in the chain sells it for 30-40 $ and still makes money.
So why does even a cheap car cost more than my house?
Never mind....
Thanks Sum,
You've just inspired me to go spend some more money.
It's good for the ecomony? (ever see the movie Idiocracy?)
Jim

 

[Sumner]

(ever see the movie Idiocracy?) Jim

You or someone else mentioned it on I believe here a while back and since seeing it Ruth and I have been 'dumbing-down' as fast as possible ,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

 

[doehunter]

Last night I took the hub off and inspected. There was no water so I guess it came off on the road coming home. I cleaned, repacked and put it back on.
I took the new bearing buddy, (generic, not name brand) did a trial fit and it seemed pretty snug. I took it off set it on a board. I then took a 2" trailer hitch ball and set it on the end that fits the hub. Whacked it a couple times with a hammer. It's tight now!
pumped just enough grease to move the piston out maybe a 1/8".
Making plans for 4 days on Galveston bay starting tomorrow if I can get the motor running tonight. That pesky low speed jet is clogged again!
Not sure what keeps doing it. Maybe the inside of the fuel line or the bulb. I'll probably replace those tonight.
Solar panel had the battery at just over 14 volts when I got to the boat yesterday evening. By the time I left last night it was down to 12.5 volts. I only had the cabin light on a couple hours. I'm thinking the battery might be tired.

 

[Sumner]

....... That pesky low speed jet is clogged again!
Not sure what keeps doing it. Maybe the inside of the fuel line or the bulb. I'll probably replace those tonight.
Solar panel had the battery at just over 14 volts when I got to the boat yesterday evening. By the time I left last night it was down to 12.5 volts. I only had the cabin light on a couple hours. I'm thinking the battery might be tired.

You might try a filter like the one above. We put one on and like it so far. No problems in the 3 months out. Info on it is here...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/outside-36.html

Also on the battery it is going to show 14.0 volts on 'float' during the day with the panel receiving sun. Once the sun goes down you will see the battery voltage not the 'charge' voltage. 12.5 is not bad. From memory I think that is about 90%. Google battery voltage vs. charge. Reading the voltage will also be dependent on what is 'on' at the moment so you have to read it with a couple other considerations in mind.

Have fun on the trip,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

 

[MrBill_FLL]

those are great filters!

fwiw, there should be a final fuel filter (screen) on the engine, in the connection were the fuel line goes to the carb. very fine filter... maybe it has a hole?

and you're using stabil? even with straight gas, (non E15), I like to use a stabilizer.

have fun! & take pic's

 

[Robspan]

Jim,
Where are you planning on going?
I helped make some pdf's for our cruising group that have navigational information on Bolivar, Smith Point and Double Bayou. I could post or send them to you if that might be of any help.

 

[doehunter]

Jim,
Where are you planning on going?
I helped make some pdf's for our cruising group that have navigational information on Bolivar, Smith Point and Double Bayou. I could post or send them to you if that might be of any help.

I usually put in at the Kemah public boat ramp under the bridge.
I'm not sure where I'm gonna go. Last time I stayed west of Smiths Point, and Redfish Island. Since I have more time this time, I might go farther east. I like fishing East Bay but I'm not sure how far up I can get. It's a shallow bay.
I could cruise out by Hanna's Reef.
If the wind id out of the SE, I might try Redfish again.
I just play it by ear. If it's too hot in the daytime, I might come back early.
I'll be single handing so I get to be spontaneous!
Thanks for the offer but I think I'll be OK.
Maybe I'll see you out there?
Jim

 

[Robspan]

I usually put in at the Kemah public boat ramp under the bridge.
I'm not sure where I'm gonna go. Last time I stayed west of Smiths Point, and Redfish Island. Since I have more time this time, I might go farther east. Maybe I'll see you out there?
Jim

I won't be out there till the heat index is less than 100. The way it's going here, that may not be till October.

Anyway, since you're going out the Clear Lake Channel, this pdf might help if you want to go to Redfish Island or Smith Point. If you're going to be cruising on the Bay, most of those waypoints are good to have in the gps.