Indespension super roller coaster 7 hub overhaul

Hugh Jardon · 06 November 2005, 13:26

I am giving the hubs an overhaul on my super roller coaster 7 trailer as i built it up 7 years ago and not really touched it since. The bearings have slight marks on them so going to change out all the bearings etc. and load them again with waterproof grease. I think the secret has been loading as much grease in the hub as physically possible as it has keep everything near perfect for so long.

is anyone aware of or used the spring loaded caps that supposedly put the grease under slight pressure to prevent the ingress of water? are they any good?

I have taper roller bearings and they are in superb condondition considering the length of time they have been fitted and i always dunk the wheels. Also the brakes and drums have survived remarkably well considering the use.

I originally purchase the trailer and the working parts were shot so fitted new hub units/brakes/suspension/hitch unit/wheels/tyres/brake cables/ and i shot blasted all the non galvanised components and then assembled and hammerited the exposed stuff, it has lasted well so was thinking it was time to give it a bit of tender loving care.

when i spoke with indespension they recommended checking/replacing the bearings every 6 months or so, so i guessed my regime of every 7 years meant it was time to check it all over ready for the next 7 years!!

jwalker · 06 November 2005, 17:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jardon

...is anyone aware of or used the spring loaded caps that supposedly put the grease under slight pressure to prevent the ingress of water? are they any good.

Yep. Buy 'em.

Mollers · 06 November 2005, 18:14

They're called Bearing Buddies. I've got'em. They work well.

Hugh Jardon · 06 November 2005, 19:53

where did you get your bearing buds from, not found a suitable place yet

Mollers · 06 November 2005, 19:59

Try www.bearingbuddy.com. They're yank. Not sure who stocks them in the UK.

Rogue Wave · 06 November 2005, 20:56

Indespension at Fareham (Swanwick) . they be pricey though!

codprawn · 06 November 2005, 22:47

Do the bearing buddies work if you have the so called "sealed for life" bearings???

Mollers · 06 November 2005, 22:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Do the bearing buddies work if you have the so called "sealed for life" bearings???

Not sure. The sealed for life are "sealed" as in won't need lubing arn't they? I don't think that includes bunging them in the sea!

Mollers · 06 November 2005, 22:58

Anyway, dunking the trailer in the sea still totally knackers the brakes. This is OK for me as I only tow a couple of miles, but for you long distance towers i a bit of a prob.

jwalker · 06 November 2005, 23:03

Bearing Savers, Indespension, about 17 qwid for a pair.

Jackwabbit · 07 November 2005, 06:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Do the bearing buddies work if you have the so called "sealed for life" bearings???

Apparently not!

The sealed for life bearings are designed to keep the grease they were manufactured with in, whilst keeping dirt & grime out. So its very unlikely they will allow grease in through the seals (even though they can’t manage to keep the water out).

Hugh Jardon · 21 November 2005, 21:40

stripped down the bearings and brakes for the first time in 7 years and the only signs of any problem was the discoloured grease and the bearings had some pitting on the bearing surface top layer otherwise allwas good

fitted a new jockey wheel clamp as the original threads has gone

fitted new bearings and seals to each wheel (4 of em) for 80 quid and packed them full of grease like i did originally so hopefully they should be good for another 7 years if i am lucky, the brakes were perfect, slight surface rust but nothing to worry about, coating a few bits with copper grease really helped keep everything shipshape

will see if the new sbs trailer for the rib lasts as long as the indespension trailer has..

cheers to my friend for the loan of his marina spot while i refurbed the trailer

jobs a good un