Performance Trailer Superlube Bearings, Factory Info.

[skip1930]

Let me preface my remarks.

I don't know where to put this so any administrator can move it where ever.
It's not 'boats', nor introduce yourself. Not test, Not off topic, nor about the forum, but it gets a lot of press here and there. so...??

Too small to read? Hold the Ctrl down and tap + to enlarge. Hold and tap - to shrink.

skip.

[Pete H]

Hi Skip,

Thanks for the info. I found it useful and interesting.
My trips to my sailing location are always about 600 plus miles and I always check bearing temperature and trailer tie downs at each fuel stop. ( I know, I know, obsessive, but it makes me feel better) One of my trailer bearings is always hotter than the other and I have been meaning to have a look at it, but have been wary of over greasing the bearings.
My trailer is fitted with some type of Bearing Buddies and thanks to your info I now see how they work and that over greasing is not going to be a problem. So, now I'm off to the shed to pump new grease into them!
I don't think I have a real problem, the hubs, while warm, can be held onto without burning my hand, which is my rough and ready bush mechanic way of checking the temperature, it's just that the left one is always warmer than the other and I have wondered if it needed extra grease or less. The info you have provided solves that, so off to the shed.

Thanks again,

Pete H

[Citroen/Dave]

Pete,

Follow the CP16 thread "Trailer Puzzler: hot hub", for another possibility.

Dave

[Salty19]

Pete,    The bearings skip has shown are not what you think they are.

Tie Down Engineering is the name of the company that makes the "Superlube" bearings shown.  These are essentially bearings with an accessible zerk fitting with passages through the inner and outer bearings.  The idea is you pump the zerk with grease, it forces itself through the bearings and back out to clean up with a rag.  Our boat has them and so far they are treating me well--no overheating, easy maintenance (just lift trailer, spin wheels while injecting grease).   Some of the Performance brand trailers Compac used for a while in the 90's and maybe 2000's shipped had them installed

Bearings buddies are not needed, and are not compatible with the Superlube hubs.   Overgreasing a bearing buddy is most certainly a problem as the passages to flow the grease through the bearings, and back out, don't exist with normal hubs.  So it will probably either blow the inner seal or eject back out if you pump them too much.

[MacGyver]

Salty is right, and with a normal bearing buddy which is typically a chromed unit attached to the hub like a dust cap, will actually blow out the shaft seal which means removing the hub and replacing the shaft seal.


Mac

[Saluki86]

Skip, Salty and Mac,

THis is timely for me.  Greased my Bearing Buddies brand last night and noticed I didn't get any grease pushed back out.  I was afraid I was doing something wrong.  How do you know if you blow the seal?  Will it happen immediately (like biscuits blowing out of the tube) or will it happen while being towed?

Sorry...just hoping I didn't overload mine.

[MacGyver]

Look on the back side for some seepage. A little seepage is fine.
The front you can push in on that plate and some grease will come out. By the pressure of that plate you can tell what is in there.
If I get time I'll make a video of it. I'm pretty booked up with stuff to do though lol

a infrared temp gun is best when traveling to tell what the hub temp is which is the best way to know what those hubs are doing overall

Mac