On Wed, 23 Aug 2006 23:46:24 -0500, "RB"
wrote:

My trailer lost a bearing buddy somewhere along the way to and from the
launch ramp the other day. I didn't realize the bearing buddy was gone
until I got home. The launch ramp is in sal****er. I did wash the
bearing/axle/hub area down well when I got home.

Guess I'd better pull the wheel and do some maintenance. Should I remove
all the old grease still in there and try to clean the bearing?

An option is to assume the packed in grease kept the sal****er out, just
stick a new bearing buddy on, and shoot some more grease to it.


I agree with Calif Bill - good opportunity to check both bearings and
the condition of the seal. I would also be concerned about the dirt
and other contaminants that got into the bearing during the trip home.
Cleaning the bearing is the only way to check for flaking of the
rollers and raceways or small dents in either indicating a failure in
the making.