Vault to Bearing Buddy Retrofit

This topic has 11 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 9 months ago by crussell74.

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July 29, 2019 at 12:02 pm #676446

fishndav
Participant

Does anyone know if it is possible to ditch the Vault hubs and replace with bearing buddy hubs using the rest of of the same wheel components? I have not been happy with the Vault hubs, nor is my go-to trailer mechanic comfortable with them.

Thanks

July 29, 2019 at 8:48 pm #676454

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

They may be able to just grease them by hand and roll. Good old red Valvoline.

July 30, 2019 at 5:06 am #676458

Redngoo
Participant

Fishndav keep us posted on wat you do. Ive wandered about these hubs and more so been anxious to dissect one. From my understanding wat makes these hubs appealing is the watertight seal. Back in the old day we just handpacked the wheel bearings with a quality grease every so often according to usage. My rig is coming up on 6 yrs old know. Even though ive had zero issues, i do have one i am monitoring closely. My plan was just as yours. Assuming these are standard bearing and seals. I dont see why you have to use the hybrid grease. IMO these hubs are no different than the ones on the front of autos.

July 30, 2019 at 12:32 pm #676466

fishndav
Participant

If I can find info on the right parts, I will give this to my trailer guy to try. I already have a compromised vault assembly to use as a test. I can not find anything on the internet about a Bearing Buddy that would work. I do a lot of my own work, but have never done bearings so I’m pretty clueless about this. When it comes to tires, wheels, brakes, I have left it to the professionals, as I should.

July 30, 2019 at 2:35 pm #676469

commonsa
Participant

If you pull the axle S/N from the plate on the bottom. Then contact UFP they will give you a list of part numbers and options. The main issue would be the seals.

July 30, 2019 at 4:07 pm #676471

Redngoo
Participant

Why do you need a bearing buddy cap? From my understanding the vault cap is wat makes it waterproof. Unless you blow a seal and assuming the bearings are “packed” correctly the grease should always be there until you do a annual or as needed inspection. To me this is the disadvantage of the actual bearing buddy “folks think they need to keep giving them a shot of grease”.

Something to think about. Wat about our trucks. How often do we repack the bearings. Which they are not dunked in water constantly! Another reason to keep that water tight cap if possible

July 30, 2019 at 7:36 pm #676494

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

^^^ this

July 30, 2019 at 7:44 pm #676497

fishndav
Participant

I do not care for the O ring seals and single use cap that goes with the vault system. A 2 hub repack kit (O rings, seals, and end caps) was $95 from Dexter. With bering buddy, the parts are cheap, and easily available.

I am most comfortable doing a complete bearing clean/repack before an annual 1000 mile haul I do. This is not something I can do with the Vault system. My trusted guy won’t do them, and just the parts alone are nearly $200

Prior to the vault hubs I had bearing buddys. I never added grease, and just did annual service, and never had a problem.

September 14, 2019 at 12:03 pm #678018

crussell74
Participant

Is there any reason you cannot remove the hybrid grease. re grease with the red Valvoline and reinstall the original cap with a new o-ring and

seals. If the seals will hold in the hybrid grease when it heats up and turns liquid there is no reason they would not hold standard wheel bearing

grease such as the red Valvoline. It even gets thinner as it heats up just doesn’t turn to a liquid state. Just pack them by hand and install new seals

just like you would if they were not the hybrid grease system. BCB please elaborate if I am missing something here. But I thought the purpose of

going to this new type of grease and hub assembly was to reduce periodic maintenance.

September 14, 2019 at 2:01 pm #678020

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

As above doing that is fine.

Just clean them up and put red Valvoline in them.

September 14, 2019 at 5:45 pm #678023

Redngoo
Participant

Im not buying those caps are a single use. Ive not been in one yet, though seems like a new oring and maybe some 620 loctite and it should be fine

September 14, 2019 at 6:18 pm #678026

crussell74
Participant

I agree. Just be able to match the o-ring up at the auto parts
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