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Grease Caps > Bearing Protector > 1.98 Inch > Stainless Steel > Non-Threaded > Bearing Buddy

Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors - Model 1980A-SS w/ Auto Check - Stainless Steel (Pair)

Bearing Buddy Grease Caps

Rating: ratingratingratingratingrating
51 reviews


Code:   BB1980A-SS

Retail:$33.76

Price:$26.95

Shipping Weight: 1 pounds

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Bearing Buddy Grease Caps - BB1980A-SS

Great for marine applications; the stainless steel construction provides the best in corrosion resistance. The design makes Bearing Buddy an easy way to protect your bearings by keeping water out and ensuring enough grease is in the hub.

Features:

  • Replaces the grease cap in the axle hub
  • Prevents wheel-bearing failure
    • Keeps water and dirt out of hubs and bearings
    • Allows boat trailer wheels to be completely submerged
    • Stops corrosion and pitting on bearings
  • Provides easily accessible grease fitting
    • Makes adding grease to the bearings quick and simple
  • Maintains slight, controlled pressure (3 psi) with spring-loaded piston, preventing water from entering hub
  • Allows visual monitoring of grease levels with blue indicator ring
    • Ring sits flush with top of cylinder when full
    • If ring is below top, add grease to move piston outward 1/8"
  • Prevents overfilling and rear seal damage with automatic pressure-relief feature
    • Grease seeps around piston edges and into barrel when full
  • Constructed of stainless steel
    • Ensures longer-lasting fit than plastic or aluminum products
  • Includes rubber covers
  • Installs easily
  • Made in the USA


Specs:

  • Fits 1.980" hub bore
    • Works with outer bearing models L-44643, L-44649 and L-44640
    • Works with outer bearing cup (race) model L44610
      • Commonly found on 2,000-lb, 2,500-lb and 3,500-lb Dexter axles
  • Lifetime warranty


Bearing Buddy installed diagram

Bearing Buddy Operation

Replace your existing grease cap with a Bearing Buddy to ensure a safe, easy way to monitor and control the level of grease in your axle hub. To adjust the amount of grease in the hub, use a grease gun to add more through the appropriate fitting. Adding grease moves the Bearing Buddy spring-loaded piston outward 1/8".

The O-ring inside the barrel of the Bearing Buddy maintains a seal from the outside. The interior of the Bearing Buddy is pressurized, preventing water from entering the barrel and diluting the grease.

An automatic pressure-relief feature is built into the Bearing Buddy. When the device is full, grease will seep around the edges of the piston and into the barrel. This prevents overfilling that can damage the inner seal.

The blue indicator ring allows you to visually monitor the amount of grease in your hub. The ring should sit flush with the top of the cylinder. If the ring is below the top of the cylinder, add grease until the piston moves 1/8" outward.



42208 Bearing Buddy Model 1980A-SS w/ Auto Check - Stainless Steel (Pair)






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Customer Reviews

Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors - Model 1980A-SS w/ Auto Check - Stainless Steel Pair - BB1980A-SS

Average Customer Rating:  ratingratingratingratingrating5.0 out of 5 stars   (51 Customer Reviews)




- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Chris H.04/12/2012

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These newer designed bearing buddy's are much nicer than the older model with their new grease level indicators.This was my first purchase from etrailer and my experience was a very good one. very easy ordering, great price and very prompt delivery.37036

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: pappoose01/14/2011

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great way to keep track of your grease level im new to these but i see how they let you monitor your grease without having to pull the complete hub off just check if it is low pump in a some grease and go but this will be my first using these 5503

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Chris Taylor05/07/2013

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First time customer of etrailer.com .. this review is less about bearing buddies as we already know they are a great product - have used them for years with zero issues) When I purchased a new boat and trailer, I knew the first upgrade was bearing buddies - I am a frequent online shopper so I went to the usual online retailers first...then I found etrailer...price, and shipping was the best out there so I took a chance. First noticed immediate order feedback via email, then a personalized follow-up advising that they had shipped, and then an after delivery email ! Other than automated emails, this is the first personalized follow-up ever for me so Kudos to etrailer for making me feel like a real person.. you have my business for all my towing needs for the future 79273

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: jeff h.05/07/2013

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Typical etrailer - the order was placed on tuesday and i got it on friday - BAM! The product is as advertised, great stainless steel case and good quality components. And, with etrailer's help matching my axles, they fit like a glove. No installation problems what-so-ever. Nice.79254

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Comments

Jeff, your review just made our day! BAM is one of our favorite words around etrailer.com, especially when we are figuring out how to wow our customers. We strive to create the BAM effect for each customer everyday and are so happy to hear that ordering, receiving and using your product was like BAM!

Kristin B. - 5/8/2013

1489



- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: LES G.04/28/2013

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Excellent product as expected per reviews. Puts to rest worry about water in boat trailer bearings. Easy to install as per instructions.78177

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: David04/08/2013

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excellent product 74929

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Fred03/22/2013

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I've used the Bearing Buddy in the past and know that they will reduce the risk of bearing failure. My order came quickly and on time. Thanks.71924

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Kevin L.03/12/2013

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Pretty straight forward install. Time will tell how they perform. I have the same bearing buddies on my other boat trailer and they seem to work fine.70276

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Anthony03/12/2013

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Recommend for anyone with a boat trailer. Have these on all of mine. 70090

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: C02/20/2013

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Prompt Shipping...Fit perfectly. 67057

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: no name01/29/2013

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These buddies are going to save time and money..quick check and we are on the road. 64475

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Michael L.01/14/2013

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I had bearing buddies on my boat trailer and one had recently come off. I tried buying bearings in several stores but could get none of them to fit well. So I ordered a set of bearings from etrailer. The bearings were shipped the same day and arrived in only a few days. They fit like a glove and now I can get my boat back in the water. I know if I need something in the future where to order it from. Thanks etrailer.62960

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Putz01/01/2013

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Perfect ! 62310

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Tom S11/10/2012

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Great response time. Good product. Competitive prices.59178

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: tman09/27/2012

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Ordered along with some difficult to find seals. Shipped the same day, perfect fit, great product and great service.55915

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Glenn M09/04/2012

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Easy install Product exactly as descri bed53955

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Tim M07/22/2012

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The people at etrailer were very helpful in getting my the right parts for my trailer, the service was fast and exactly what I ordered, would highly recommend them, they know what they are doing48887

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Gareth Hill07/16/2012

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As advertised, works well and fitted straight of the box. triffik! 48124

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Dale S.07/07/2012

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your order process, tracking system and confirmations are second to none - the correct product arrived well within the delivery window and has been installed - thank you!47082

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Ryan06/30/2012

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Quick and easy to install. Looks good and works great.46298

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Allen C.06/27/2012

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Great quality, great price and shipping, and one of the few sites that had the spindle seal kit that complements the bearing buddies.45941

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Leroy S06/20/2012

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Being a Bass tournament fisherman I rely on great companies to provide my equipment parts. Etrailer is top notch with quality parts and fast delivery. If you are not using etrailer you are missing out.44912

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Rick06/15/2012

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Excellent customer service. The best I've seen with ANY online retailer.44230

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Richard06/11/2012

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I ordered the Buddy Bearings and Wheel Nuts. Not much to say about the bearing buddy, they have been around a long time and every body knows they are an excellent product. I was happy to see the wheel nuts were well made,solid metal. All the auto parts store ,San Antonio Texas, have started selling lug nuts with a cheap metal cap stuck on top and a overall cheap chrome finish. Oh yeah, the shipping time was very quick, I have been doing my own repairs and upkeep for 30-years and will be doing business with etrailer again. 43670

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Thiel D.06/05/2012

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I placed my order via phone since I needed help in ensuring I got the right parts. I bought some wheel bearings locally and their computer cross reference was wrong and I wasted a day. I called eTrailer and Nicole was so helpful in guiding me to the correct pieces I needed. Got the package when she said it would arrive (shipped the same day I order the items). Got the parts yesterday and everything went together just great. Have new wheel bearings, new bearring buddy, and new tire rack. Very happy. Great company.42889

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Tom Nall05/22/2012

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Bearing Buddies shipped in a timely fashion. Arrived in great condition. I will continue shopping at etrailer.com and will recommend.41260

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Shawn C05/18/2012

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Great company don't ever change 40936

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Matt Modlin05/17/2012

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Easy Install!!! Great quality 40806

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Robert05/11/2012

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"Bearing Buddies" are just as the name implies, your Bearings best Buddy. Bearing Buddy are made of high quality Stainless Steel and will keep your bearings protected from road dust and rain and are a simple way to keep your bearings greased. I wouldn't use anything else.40036

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Jay F04/20/2012

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Delivered on time and exactly what I ne eded37814

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Mike D04/11/2012

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A must have to protect from wheel bearing failure. Easy to install and the Auto Check is awesome.36877

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Kemper M.02/29/2012

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Excellent online help choosing the right size!32782

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Ed Forbush02/23/2012

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Products are but material: service is the only marketing flexibility and I have been more than pleased with all aspects of my order and particularly the kindness extended to me throughout the priocess: I will surely spread the "good" word in my area about etrailer! The best from Maine to all!32295

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Mark C.02/22/2012

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I will never own another boat trailer without bearing buddies. This is a great product.32213

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Harry L.02/21/2012

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Bearing Buddy..........the original...........THE BEST. The only bearing protectors that I use. If you needed it yesterday, Etrailer is the only place to shop. Fastest shipping around. Courteous folks who really care about their customers! 32117

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: John K02/13/2012

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Order was placed and shipped out very qucikly. I have already installed them on my trailer. Thanks, again for really great service.31711

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Jason Ray02/02/2012

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I ordered two sets of bearing buddies this morning and with in no time at all I received an email stating that the product that I ordered was in stock at distribution. Then I was sent the tracking information and was told that my bearing buddies had shippped. This was all in the time frame of about two hours. Thank you for your service and the way you guys conduct business. Will be using your company again for sure. Jason30874

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: John S02/02/2012

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Very well thought out product. Very nicely finished and installation was a breeze. 30872

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Danny H.01/21/2012

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I recently order a set of bearing buddies from e trailer. I haven't installed them yet,but I was really impressed how fast I recieved my product. I ordered the day before holiday and still recieved the bearing buddies the same week.After getting burned once buy internet fraud . I must admit I was really scared to buy from internet but the get price and service from e trailer really made me feel alot better.If I ever need trailer parts I will definitly use e trailer again. I've already told all my friends what a great company they are!30118

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Scott01/14/2012

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I have and will continue installing Bearing Buddies on all my trailers. Two of my trailers have over 100k miles on them and I have yet to have a bearing failure. By the way, the folks at etrailer are great to do business with.29680

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Gate Doctor12/12/2011

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Again, they fit , I ordered them to replace some old one which we cleaned up in they parts cleaner and will put on the other trailer.27994

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Brian10/27/2011

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Received order in two days, great servi ce!!!26183

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Richard R10/24/2011

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I used Bearing Buddies on a boat trailer for about 7 years, and never replaced the bearings. Awesome! I towed the boat every time I used it. I bought another brand at West Marine, and took it back without opening the package...It was chromed steel, not stainless with no spring pressure mechanism, and just a little cheaper. Cheaper quality! 26042

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Conrad07/01/2011

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If you have a single axle trailer carrying a serious load, you want your bearings to be well lubricated. This is it. A spring puts lube grease pressure on the bearing, and can be refilled when it gets low--easy to see, with the zerk fitting on the outside. These mean never having to repack your wheel bearings by hand. Just pump them from the outside and clean up the splatter that gets by the seas. 18342

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Eddie W06/10/2011

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A fine product @ a great price. Fast and very reasonable shipping fee. Bearing buddys are a fine product and extend bearing life while protecting bearings from moisture/water.16703

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Larry P.05/14/2011

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The product, Stainless Steel bearing buddies to fit my boat trailer, is tough, easy to install, good looking and works extremely well. My boat trailer was purchased used and originally had another brand of the product made from plastic. I find the stainless steel bearing buddies much stronger, more attractive and they do a better job of lubricating the bearings.13952

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Mike L05/11/2011

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These bearing buddies are a perfect fit! Thanks13386

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Jim L.05/10/2011

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Great product. I was always guilty of blowing out my rear grease seals due to overfilling my bearing buddy. The blue plastic level indicator is the best idea yet. Now, I always keep the correct amount of grease in the bearings. Thank you e-trailer for introducing me to this superior product. Jim Logan13256

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Dennis J.05/05/2011

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Nice quality product. Real good fit. Looking forward to next road trip with them, too bad they arrived just after I left on my trip last week.12929

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Walter Johnson01/21/2011

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same as the tires and rims,,,,,, outstanding,,,, and awsome5838

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- BB1980A-SS

ratingratingratingratingrating by: Aaron B12/18/2010

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Great Experience eTrailer had exactly what I wanted and at the BEST price. I compared to 3-4 more notiable competitors, and eTrailer beat them on price everytime. The customer service was excellent and very helpful. I'd recommend eTrailer to anyone. 4314

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Ask the Experts about this Bearing Buddy Grease Caps


  • What Size Hub Bore Do Bearing Buddies # BB1980A-SS Fit
  • The Bearing Buddy, # BB1980A-SS, will fit the 1.980 hub bore, which is what the 1980 means on your existing trailer. The SS in this part number refers to stainless steel. There is also a 1980A which is chrome plated steel.
    view full answer...

  • Bearing Buddy Not Taking Grease
  • The piston could certainly be bad, or perhaps even the zerk fitting. Try removing the bearing buddy and applying grease while it is off of the hub. I had the same thing happen on my jet ski trailer, I replaced the bearing buddy which fixed the problem.
    view full answer...

  • Can I Use Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors With an Easy Lube Spindle
  • Easy lube spindles are not compatible with Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors. You could use the Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors if you remove the zerk fitting. You really do not need Bearing Buddies though. The whole purpose of Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors is so that you do not have to remove the grease cap. I have linked a video review of the Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors.
    view full answer...

  • What is the Benefit of Using Bearing Buddies on a Travel Trailer
  • Yes, even if you do not plan on much marine activity, you can still benefit from adding Bearing Buddies, # BB1980A-SS. They will help to prevent wheel bearing failure by keeping out dirt and moisture, something that all trailers will come across. Adding grease to the bearings will be much easier as you will have a fitting on the caps that will allow you to add grease with a grease gun like # L30191. And the blue ring will allow you to know when to add grease. All of this will help extend the
    view full answer...

  • Can I Get Replacement Caps For Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors # BB1980A-SS
  • Yes, for the replacement plastic cap you will need Replacement Bearing Buddy Bras, part # BB19B, which includes 2 caps. These are the correct replacement caps for your Bearing Buddy bearing protectors # BB1980A-SS.
    view full answer...

  • Comparing Bearing Buddy and Kodiak Red Eye Trailer Bearing Protectors
  • You can use bearing protectors on a hub with electric brakes. You have to make sure you are using a double lip seal though because a single lip seal is more likely to blow and allow grease to leak out and get all over the hub and brake components. Also, you have to make sure that you do not use too much grease, even with a double lip seal, because of the same possibility of blowing the seal. Both the Bearing Buddy brand, # BB1980A-SS, and the Kodiak Red Eye, # KREB1980AC, have a 5 star rating
    view full answer...

  • How Much Grease To Use when Installing Bearing Buddies on a 1997 Jayco Pop Up Camper
  • Your Bearing Buddy instructions are correct. When installing bearing protectors on a trailer hub, you will want to fill the hub with as much grease as possible, so that you do not have to pump all that grease into the hub with the grease gun after installing the bearings and seals. This also helps to prevent pressure build up in the hub and blow out of the seal in the back of the hub. When using a bearing protector you should always use a double lip seal, like part # RG06-020, which has two s
    view full answer...

  • Using Double Lip Seals in Place of Single Lip when Using bearing Buddies
  • We will need to use a double lip seal when using Bearing Buddies or a similar product. A single lip seal cannot withstand the pressure and you will have a blowout. For a pair of double lip seals use # RG06-020. These are the same size as your 10-9 seals except they are double lip and not single lip.
    view full answer...

  • How to Identify Correct Bearings and Bearing Buddies for a 2007 Carson 20-Foot Tandem Axle Trailer
  • Thank you for providing your trailer year/make/model. In order to know the correct replacement bearings and bearing buddies for your trailer we will need the numbers from your current inner and outer bearings. This is the surest way to identify correct replacements. (Trailer manufacturers may use different bearings from one production run to another so checking the bearings themselves is the best way to know for sure). The only other way is to take exact measurements (with a precision di
    view full answer...

  • How to Pick out Bearing Buddies
  • In order to pick out the correct bearing buddy you will need know the pilot hole of your hub. To do this, remove the wheel and tire and remove the grease cap from the center of the hub. Usually it is a metal cap that is just lightly hammered into place. Use a screwdriver to pry off the cap. Clean the grease off and measure the opening. I have included a video demonstrating the Bearing Buddy. The Bearing Buddies # BB1980A-SS that you referenced are for hubs with a 1.98 inch hub bore.
    view full answer...

  • How to Determine the Correct Bearing Buddy for a 2013 Carry-On Trailer
  • There are a few ways to determine which Bearing Buddies will fit your 2013 carry on trailer. The easiest way may be to find the manufacturer and model number of the hubs on your trailer. Since it is new, the trailer dealer or manufacturer may be able to give you this information. I did some research on the Carry-On trailers and found that they do use two different brands of axles and hubs, depending on where the trailer was manufactured. If the trailer manufacturer cannot provide this inform
    view full answer...

  • Bearing Buddy Recommendation for a Springdale 179RD with 363180 Al-Ko Bearings
  • From the research I did it looks like the outer bearing of the Al-Ko bearing number 363180 that you referenced is basically a L-44649, which is what the Bearing Buddy Bearing Protectors # BB1980A-SS that you referenced are designed to work on.
    view full answer...


Info for this part was:


Written by:
Ty

Edited by:
Fran

Expert Research
Bob

Expert Research
Mike H

Expert Research
Jeff

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