wheel grease seals

[Reelay]

Replaced my electric brakes on my fiver last year. Bought the loaded backing plate for all four. Easy job pulling off drums and bearings and installing the new loaded backing plates. I regreased the bearings by hand,lightly covered the spindle by hand, and also added bearing buddies. If you noticed one thing I didn't mention was that I didn't replace the seals {cheapest part} I reinstalled with the old seals. We didn't take any long trips last year and then put the trailer to bed for the winter. Inspecting the trailer this year I saw grease on the back side of the backing plates {3 out of 4} running down to the rim. I pulled the wheels apart one at a time and the new brakes were covered in grease. The seals were in place, but by passed through the seal. Cleaned each brake throughly let dry and reinstalled. My question is did the bearing buddies cause this or my stupid mistake of not replacing the seals? I called the Bearing Buddie people and they said only 3 psi is in the preload seals will take 23 psi.

[Reelay]

This is the orignal poster. I considered everything you mentioned from the brakes being contaminated, to the bearings being damaged. When I had each bearing out I took special precaution inspecting them and rotating them to see if any heat or other problems were apparent, non to my inspection but I have purchased a complete set of bearings, seal, races, and of course cotter keys that are in the storage compartment of the trailer. I usually have the trailer brakes set way low as far as applying goes when stopping. I rely on my gearing down {6 speed manual} , and my exhaust brake. They do a great job on steep down hill grades. I will pull them off when we get back, only a 200 mile run both ways. Besides my brother is on his way with his bumper pull and our trailer is loaded. Living in the morning.
Again I appreciate all the knowlegable input from all you folks. Everything stated is good info from all.
Thanks.

[jfkmk]

Sport45 wrote:
Back in the day I would always reuse the seal when repacking front wheel bearings and I don't ever remember having one fail. I wasn't making much money then and if I could save $2.00 on a seal I would. Of course those bearings never had grease pumped into them after they were installed either.

After removing the outer thrust washer and bearing reinstall the spindle nut until the threads are fully engaged. Pull the drum/rotor catching the inner bearing on the spindle nut. The inner bearing and seal will be left hanging on the spindle ready to be cleaned and reused.

All that said, I throw away the old seals now. They're not worth the kerosene and time it takes to clean them. (But I'm substantially better off than I was back then too...)

I used to remove the inner bearings and seal the same way, but you do risk damaging the bearing. Like you, that was back in the day when saving $2 on the job was a big thing. I'd never do that now. I figure if I can afford a toy like a camper, I can invest the $2 in seals.

To OP: if you had grease on the brake shoes, you might want to consider replacing them. I had an axle seal start to leak on my old Blazer. I replaced the seal and cleaned the shoes thoroughly. They would be ok for a brief period of time but would start to fail after a while. Did this a couple of times before I replaced them (they were only a year old, which is why I tried to save them).

Are the original seals compatible with bearing buddies? I'm not sure how bb's work, but I'm familiar with the ez lube, and I would think special seals would be needed to take the pressure of pumping the grease in them.

Also, if you pumped that much grease in them you probably over greased them. Too much grease could cause the bearing to overheat. You might want to consider redoing the whole thing now, before taking any trips. Better to fix the issue at home than on the road.

[Sport45]

Back in the day I would always reuse the seal when repacking front wheel bearings and I don't ever remember having one fail. I wasn't making much money then and if I could save $2.00 on a seal I would. Of course those bearings never had grease pumped into them after they were installed either.

After removing the outer thrust washer and bearing reinstall the spindle nut until the threads are fully engaged. Pull the drum/rotor catching the inner bearing on the spindle nut. The inner bearing and seal will be left hanging on the spindle ready to be cleaned and reused.

All that said, I throw away the old seals now. They're not worth the kerosene and time it takes to clean them. (But I'm substantially better off than I was back then too...)

[Ed9824v]

my understanding of the Bearing Buddies is when you have a boat trailer taken to the lake the bearing are warm/hot you hit the water with the trailer cools fast and will draw in water if not under pressure no need for RV

[Reelay]

Good info. I put the same kind of seals back in {new ones not the old ones, lol} that have lasted for over ten years. I know now that the "Buddy Bearings" and my overfill caused the problem not the seals. I think next year I will go back to my chrome cones and take off the "Buddy Bearings" save them for backup on the boat trailer.
But what gets me is that I see alot of the new trailers that came with that instalation on the hubs. They must have the kit that those auto lube guys sale already installed. Which is a heavier seal,a stainless sleeve, and "O" ring. Some have the spindles drilled out so the back bearing gets lube through the channel.
Anyway thanks.

[TXiceman]

You are saying Bearing Buddy? Bearing Buddy should not be used on an RV. They are designed for boat trailers.

For RVs there is an E-Z Lube axle which is designed to get grease to the inner bearing when you properly lube the axle.

Ken

[kennethwooster]

I agree with others always replace quality seals. I see no need for the bearing buddy on the RV. anytime we pump grease in we take a chance of going past the seals. I talked to a axle dealer and he did not recommend anything that would pump grease in a wheel.

[Reelay]

First of all thanks to all your replies I appreciate the input. To answer one question "how did I pack the back bearing without removing the seals". Answer: I gooped a bunch on my fingers and spread it into the bearing, now since I replaced the seals I took the bearings out inspected each one, one at a time and greased them very thoroughly with the palm of my hand. I know "Bearing Buddies" are good for boat trailers as I have them on my boat trailer. I believe the seals in the boat trailers are double lipped which give the seals more strength that can with stand more pressure especially when filling them up threw the zert. Yes I did over fill my bearings, when it takes 3/4 of a tube of grease per wheel you know something is going to give. So this will be a lesson for the school of hard knocks. The "Buddy Bearings" that I have installed will only get a squirt now and then. Nothing beats taking the hub off and visual inspection anyway!
Thanks again to all the input, Happy RVing, be safe and keep the rubber side down.....

Ray

[C_Schomer]

I don't know what brg buddies are but I never used my ez lube zerks. The ez lube spindles shoot the grease behind the seal and forces it thru the brgs so the seal area is compressed with grease. If that wasn't bad enough, expansion will push the grease right past the seal. It's a seal not a hydraulic chevron or packing! It's always a no-no to completely fill a lube cavity with grease. There just needs to be grease there so if the brg heats up enough the oils will flow from the grease and to the brg. I've watch brg heat cycles with a thermometer and that is normal and what is expected. I hand pack the brgs, cups and spindle and I put extra grease in the hub between the brgs so it's there if the brgs heat up enough. I always shove the inner brg into the cup and I wipe off the excess before driving the seal in and I've never gotten grease thru the seal. Craig

[robsouth]

Bearing buddies are for boat trailers, not camper trailers. Easy to do just what you must have done (put too much grease in) and campers are not backed into the water like boat trailers.

[Arcamper]

How did you grease the inner bearings without removing the seals? But yes they should always be changed. I have had cheap seals leak also, so now I only use National seals.

[gat75]

Must install new seals anytime old ones are removed.
You are right, they are the cheapest components when replacing brgs.