How to Remove Bearing Buddies
by Cameron EaseyBearing buddies are grease-based protective covers that go over the bearing of a wheel on a boat trailer. They are there to ensure that the wheel bearing is always covered in grease. In order to service or replace the wheel bearings on a boat trailer, it will be necessary to remove the bearing buddies from the wheel hub.
Step 1
Make sure your work area is properly prepared. Lay sheets of paper towel on the ground to set the bearing buddies when they are taken off of the wheel hub. The bearing buddies will be full of grease and will need to be placed on a clean surface.
Step 2
Place a small block of wood against one side of the bearing buddy and strike it with the hammer.
Step 3
Set the block of wood on the opposite side of the bearing buddy and strike it with the hammer again.
Step 4
Repeat the previous two steps to slowly work the bearing buddy away from the wheel hub. This is a slow process but will not damage the bearing buddy.
Step 5
Place a small pry bar or screwdriver under the bearing buddy and pry under it. The bearing buddy should then begin to slide off of the wheel hub.
Step 6
Pull the bearing buddy off of the hub and set it on the paper towel.
Step 7
Repeat the previous five steps to remove the bearing buddies from the other trailer wheels.
References
Tips
- You can leave the trailer on the ground to remove the bearing buddy unless you plan to take the wheel off of the trailer.
Things You'll Need
- Paper towel
- Hammer
- Small block of wood
- Pry bar or screwdriver
Warnings
- Hitting the bearing buddy too hard with the hammer can damage or ruin it and need to be replaced.
Writer Bio
Cameron Easey has over 15 years customer service experience, with eight of those years in the insurance industry. He has earned various designations from organizations like the Insurance Institute of America and LOMA. Easey earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and history from Western Michigan University.
