whichwaysup Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 Okay, next time, I will get vortex hubs. In the meantime, I am stuck with the el cheapos that came preassembled with berings, races, etc. I am about sick of these stupid rubber grommets blowing out, splattering grease everywhere. Arent there any alternative dust caps with screw in covers? These rubber grommets last about 6 months then harden and die i just replaced the hubs and bearings, so just looking for relatively simple alternatives https://www.amazon.com/2-Pack-Trailer-Bearing-Rubber-Replacement/dp/B099XCDFX6/ref=asc_df_B099XCDFX6&mcid=85fdd5e465233f97863e31259987be50?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80264468429353&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583863995036083&psc=1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilemaker Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 Although these are for oil they will fit grease hubs also. You can unscrew the cap and access the zirc fitting, but you have to take the hole thing off to change bearings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted February 21 Author Report Share Posted February 21 Just now, smilemaker said: Although these are for oil they will fit grease hubs also. You can unscrew the cap and access the zirc fitting, but you have to take the hole thing off to change bearings. Thanks Smilemaker - Is there a link? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tender Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 This will most likely prevent much of the splatter without having to switch to an oilbath style hub. https://www.sturdybuiltonline.com/Trailer-Buddy-Bra-23B-Fits-2441-2717-Bearing-Buddys_p_462.html https://www.sturdybuiltonline.com/Trailer-Axles-And-Hubs_c_562-2.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE OUTLAW Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 Posi lube axles and hubs . Forget about it . 🇺🇸🏴☠️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 I have used the gray Buddy covers without problems. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilemaker Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 Easternmarine.com 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanjj Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 When I changed both axles on my Ameritrail Pathfinder trailer, I did go back with Vortex hubs and it is amazing how well they seal. I take the caps off periodically to check the grease and bearings and I have never had any water inside, and no grease outside all over the wheels. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linesider 159 Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 Bearing Buddy - 1.980 BEAR BUDDY WITH BRA 2/CD - 42101 | PartsVu 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted February 21 Author Report Share Posted February 21 Man, I have those but for the life of me I couldnt get them into the hub. I assume these el cheapo hubs are a little out of spec, but if anyone has a trick, I will try it. should mention my spindles have zirc fittings so the BBs will keep me from using them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddyBottomBluz Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 I have used Bearing Buddies and bras for years and always zip tie the bra, TIGHT around the hub and never had a problem. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jh141 Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 My spindles have zirc fittings. My Hubs are Kodiak stainless. I use bearing buddies and tie wrapped bra's. When its time to service I simply remove the snap ring, pull the inner cup out and use the spindle zirc to flush the old grease with new. The bearing buddy keeps things sealed and clean. One thing I have learned is not to over pack with grease. When the grease warms up, mostly because of the brakes, it expands and pushes the cap off. If Vortex made a Stainless Hud I would be using them. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Seither Posted February 22 Report Share Posted February 22 Order the BB style bra covers and tie wrap cheapest way out till your ready to do bearings and hubs again 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bamaskeet Posted February 22 Report Share Posted February 22 I have Vortex hubs on my 2021 Ameratrail trailer and both my fishing buddy’s have them. We have all had some water intrusion, with one trailer having a on the road bearing failure. They are not any better than the Super Lube hubs with the exception of the threaded cap which can be equaled with a Bearing Bra mounted over the rubber plug dust cover. I suggest strongly to give you Vortex hubs a couple of shots of grease every couple months to insure that there is no water intrusion. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted February 22 Author Report Share Posted February 22 Y'all are brilliant. Just brilliant. I hadn't considered tie wrapping the BB bras to the hubs. I'll give that a shot and see if that solves the issue. Barring that, I'll take another whack at installing my current bearing buddies and doing what JH141 describes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Seither Posted February 22 Report Share Posted February 22 If you have a digital caliber check to see if vendor sent ya the right size BB, I bought some el cheapos from Harbor Freight for a 20' car hauler I have and had to knock them in! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted February 23 Author Report Share Posted February 23 19 hours ago, George Seither said: If you have a digital caliber check to see if vendor sent ya the right size BB, I bought some el cheapos from Harbor Freight for a 20' car hauler I have and had to knock them in! I will double check. Of course, my digital calipers are from harbor freight so there’s that little variable! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilemaker Posted February 23 Report Share Posted February 23 I hot off my tail and took a picture of my old trailer axle. The caps are R/A and say rock solid on them They came from trailerdepot.com When I installed them I had to use a 2x4 and hammer because the fit was so tight. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linesider 159 Posted February 23 Report Share Posted February 23 On 2/21/2024 at 5:17 PM, whichwaysup said: Man, I have those but for the life of me I couldnt get them into the hub. I assume these el cheapo hubs are a little out of spec, but if anyone has a trick, I will try it. should mention my spindles have zirc fittings so the BBs will keep me from using them. Take a flat piece of wood and put it over the end and hammer it in. We keep a massive socket at the shop that slides over the end. You have to pound evenly 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCFD rtrd. Posted February 23 Report Share Posted February 23 To hammer the caps into the hub, try a 2" piece of schedule 40 PVC, about 5" long. Use a rubber hammer to pound on the PVC. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bamaskeet Posted February 24 Report Share Posted February 24 I like to use a 18” piece of 4X4 to mount the dust covers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RacerxV6 Posted February 24 Report Share Posted February 24 So I have Vortex and someone further made mention of water intrusion. He is correct, I fought this for 2 trips because I didn't get it corrected the first time. The benefit to the vortex and my axel combo is the zirc fitting up front that feeds the back bearing. WWU, I would take a piece of Emory cloth and give it a couple turns and just brush some of that finish off. It will still be tight enough to hold and then put on your bras... Hope you get that corrected..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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