How Does Grease Reach the Inner Bearing with a Bearing Buddy?
Updated 09/17/2026 | Published 09/01/2026 >
Question:
hello i recently purchased abearing kit for my trailor .they are a perfect fit but i just have q concern. my trailor has bearings buddies on it but i just dont see how the grease is suppose to get to the inner bearings. with the castle nut and washer and everything else in there it doesnt look like the grease can reach the inner bearings could yiu please advise me on this thank you
asked by: Isaias M
Expert Reply:
Hey Isaias, thanks for reaching out. What you’re seeing is normal with Bearing Buddy bearing protectors. When you add grease through the Bearing Buddy, the grease enters the hub from the outside and gradually fills the open cavity around the spindle. The castle nut and washer do not form a grease-tight seal, so grease can work its way around them and through the hub toward the inner bearing.
The important thing to know is that a Bearing Buddy is primarily designed to maintain positive grease pressure inside the hub and keep water out, especially on boat trailers. I still recommend hand-packing both the inner and outer bearings during installation rather than relying on the Bearing Buddy to push fresh grease all the way through a dry hub and properly pack the inner bearing. Once everything is packed and assembled, the Bearing Buddy helps keep the hub full and maintain that protection.
What do you usually haul with this trailer? Boat, camper, or work gear?

Isaias M.
9/12/2026
thanx for replying to my ?. i tow a 22 ft boat and sometimes put it in saltwater. the new bearings were packed during installation. i have a better understanding now about how the grease reaches the inner bearing so thank you for the explanation

Product Page this Question was Asked From
Replacement Trailer Wheel Bearing - L44649 - Qty 1
- Trailer Bearings Races Seals Caps
- Bearings
- Standard Bearings
- 1.06 Inch I.D.
- Bearing L44649
- Race L44610
- 3500 lbs Axle
- etrailer
more information >
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Scott B.
9/5/2026
The previous comment is right on target. The grease buddy is designed to maintain the appropriate amount of Grease once the assembly is properly lubricated. With mine I always hand pack the bearings and grease the spindle as I'm assembling then pumped full after the fact. If you don't have grease everywhere, you don't have enough? LOL but seriously there is no substitute for packing the bearings during assembly. Whether you pack them by hand or you use a bearing packer you need to be sure if they are completely full before you put them together. Good luck!