Can I Use Bearing Buddies on my Caravan?
Installing bearing buddies on your caravan can have unintended consequences, such as destroying your braking system.
We understand the desire to equip your rigs with the latest time-saving accessories. However, Couplemate wishes to shed light on the potential unintended consequences of installing bearing buddies, specifically concerning your braking system.
When bearing buddies are installed on your caravan, there exists a risk of detrimental effects, such as compromising the functionality of your braking system. While an adequately adjusted brake drum is instrumental in swiftly halting your rig, certain circumstances can lead to unforeseen accidents.
The image provided provides a prime example: a Dexter backing plate designed for a 12″ Electric Drum. The excessive grease that escaped from the rear bearing seal into the backing plate has led to complications.
This issue extends beyond grease spillage onto brake shoes and internal equipment within the backing plate. Grease overflow has compromised the magnet’s ability to adhere effectively to the drum face, significantly compromising the braking capacity. Moreover, irregularities on the magnet surface further contribute to ineffective braking.
Can I use Bearing Buddies on Electric Brakes?
At Couplemate, we strongly advise against installing bearing buddies on electric brakes.
The detrimental impact of bearing buddies isn’t confined to a specific type of brake system; it affects mechanical, hydraulic, and electric drum brakes alike. Misuse of bearing protectors can lead to drum brake failure, necessitating caution during installation.
We recommend a manual inspection to ensure optimal wheel bearing functionality. Alternatively, rubber grommet dust caps can provide insights into any potential grease contamination by revealing discoloured grease upon removal.
Cleaning the brake shoes will not enhance braking effectiveness as the grease permeates the entire shoe material.
We prioritize the safety and efficiency of your caravan or camper and urge you to consider these insights when contemplating equipment modifications or replacements.
A hub full of grease will overheat the bearings as well.
Hello Barry, I had not considered your comment before and made me think for a while. A hub full of grease will be expelled as pressure rises inside the hub from high-speed rotation before critical over temperates occur inside the hub. This pressure inside the hub can be as high as 2 – 3 psi @ 100 kph. Bearings do not overheat during this process. Bearings overheat due to wear and tear of the casting ring and rollers, incorrectly adjusted bearings and poor quality bearings. I have never seen any evidence of overheated bearings as a result of an overloading grease into a hub.
Marine seals can also cause a similar problem.
Hello Ian and thank you for your comment,
Marine seals expel excess grease to the road or inside the wheel rim. It is uncommon to find backing plates in a marine environment where marine seals are used. A marine seal has no real purpose in the electric, mechanical or hydraulic backing plates. More is best does not apply to grease. In the day of DIY, simple mistakes occur. Professionals, on the other hand, should know better and remedy their errors at their expense. Thank you for your comment, Ian. Steve Wotherspoon