Do Bearing Buddies grease both bearings?
Rachel Davis
Updated on May 13, 2026
Bearing buddies (brand name) work fine and lubricate both the inside and outsde bearing. The small spring inside the cap keeps a small amount of pressure on the grease, providing you have sufficient grease within the hub.
Does a Bearing Buddy grease inner bearing?
Expert Reply: Bearing Buddy pumps grease into the center of the hub all the way back to the grease seal. A double lip seal should be used to prevent grease from blowing out the seal when added.
Do I need to repack bearings with Bearing Buddies?
Expert Reply: When you use the Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors like # BB2441, so you do not need to take apart the wheel hub and repack the bearings. The Bearing Buddy Protectors have a spring loaded seal that keeps the moisture and debris out of the bearings.
How often should I add grease to Bearing Buddy?
They said the best thing to do is have the bearings packed once a year. Once packed and with a good seal, there is no need to add more grease. Grease doesn't get consumed by bearings. You shouldn't lose grease if your seal is fine and your bearing buddy isn't squirting grease out the front.
How do I know if my buddy bearings need grease?
This is normal. After driving several miles, check the piston (or blue ring) to see if it has moved inward. If it has, add a little more grease to get the piston to move outward or the blue ring to move about 1/8" past the front of the Bearing Buddy®.
18 related questions foundAre Bearing Buddies worth it?
5.0 out of 5 stars I recommend these for every trailer. I would never have a trailer w/o Bearing Buddies. I can't recommend them enough. They keep the grease packed in the bearings while you are rolling down the road and if you have a boat trailer, when you submerge for launching.
Can you over grease trailer bearings?
More grease is never the right answer. Overgreasing can actually cause the rollers/balls to slide over the bearing surface rather than roll over them.
Can you put too much grease in a wheel bearing?
Too much grease causes churning and higher temperatures. Semi-fluid grease must be used with a vented hub cap. It cannot be packed around the bearing as it will slump.
Do bearing buddies work on boat trailers?
Bearing buddies are really designed for boat trailers, since they go thru the thermal expansion/ contraction cycles much quicker then other trailers.
How often should you grease your boat trailer wheel bearings?
Standard tapered trailer wheel bearings are recommended to be re-packed with fresh bearing grease about every year or every 12,000 miles under normal use. In certain conditions this interval could be shorter, such as if you routinely tow the trailer under conditions of extreme heat or near its maximum load capacity.
What happens if you don't repack trailer bearings?
If your bearings are not kept well-greased the increased friction will eventually cause your wheel to seize. If this happens while you are hauling, it will not only leave you stranded roadside, but it will also cost you a lot of money in trailer repairs.
Can you reuse Bearing Buddies?
They recommend once a year or more if you use it often.
How full are Bearing Buddies?
In addition to packing the bearings in the traditional manner, it's best to get as much grease as possible inside the hub cavity between the bearings and then, while the Bearing Buddy® is off, fill it with grease as well from the backside.
What kind of grease do you use for trailer bearings?
Moly grease is ideal for general use, as well as in U-joints, ball joints, and anywhere with sliding motions and high pressure. Marine Wheel Bearing Grease: This grease is specifically formulated for wheel bearings, but with added water resistance.
How much grease should you put in a bearing?
Typical relubrication amounts are 1/3 to 1/2 of the original fill quantity. The proper fill quantity of a grease lubricated bearing is often specified as a percentage of the bearing's free space. It is, therefore, important that the bearing's free space is accurately determined.
Should you grease a trailer ball?
You do not need to grease your trailer hitch ball. That is entirely up to you. However, greasing it is recommended. Greasing will help ensure that the trailer hitch ball keeps its structural integrity, and it will help prevent it from squeaking.
How many miles do trailer bearings last?
Thanks for any advice. Expert Reply: We recommended to repack the wheel bearings on your trailer every 12 months or 12,000 miles. There is not a specific guideline as far as actually replacing the bearings.
How warm should trailer bearings get?
Temperatures in the range of 140 degrees F. to 175 degrees F. are considered normal. Use extreme caution when attempting to determine hub temperature. Normal bearing operation temperatures may cause the hub to be too hot to touch comfortably.
Can you mix Marine grease with regular grease?
Don't Mix Grease, but Change If Needed
If you can, start with completely clean parts and new grease. Otherwise, greasing more often will flush out the old incompatible grease faster.
How long do boat trailer wheel bearings last?
How Long Do Boat Trailer Bearings Last. It is hard to say a specific number when talking about boat trailer bearings. Some experts give them a life span of 85,000 to 100,000 miles.
How do you lubricate trailer wheel bearings?
Pack grease into the bearings
Push the grease into the bearings, working from the wide side of the bearing. Keep pushing the grease into the roller until the cage and rollers are filled. Next coat the inside of the hub with grease.
How do I know if my trailer bearings are bad?
Check wheels for side-to-side looseness – There should be a very slight amount of play in the wheel, typically 1/8-inch or less. If the wheels are loose or spin with a wobble, the bearings must be serviced or replaced.
How much does it cost to repack trailer bearings?
Trailers tend to be cheaper to repack professionally (think $100-$200), but don't underestimate the power of the upsells a mechanic might try to give you. If you're serious about cash, you can likely save a few bucks by repacking your bearings yourself.