Topic: Grease around center cap

This topic has 3 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 3 months ago by SLumpp.

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February 21, 2023 at 5:47 pm #709423

Bassmasterofva
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So I got home today and noticed Grease around the center cap. Just curious is this normal on a 2022 trailer? Only time I’ve had a bearing failure it threw Grease everywhere. This just looks like it’s seeped out

February 21, 2023 at 7:42 pm #709427

PhilAddison
Participant

looks like a little seepage with brake dust has collected. i wouldn’t worry too much about it unless it got worse. I would wipe it off after each trip to verify if it worsens.

February 22, 2023 at 9:13 pm #709459

JEH in La
Participant

Bassmasterofva, I have to comment on your picture and question. In my opinion, that is “not normal”. It is telling you that something is wrong. You should get under your boat and closely inspect the inside of your rims. Compare the inside of that rim to the others. That could be break dust or grease. If it’s grease then look at your seals to see if it is leaking. If it is break dust, then run your hand on the rotor to make sure it is not grooved because you might have lost one of the brake pads. Make sure that you have both brake pads intact. Compare what you see on this rim with the opposite rim and you might see the problem.

If you don’t see anything at all, then do as Phil says and clean it off and watch it closely because that is not normal.

I will say that I once got home after a 3 hour trip and discovered Brake dust on one of my rims. My rotor was ruined because I had totally lost one brake pad and the metal backing ate into the rotor. There was never a clue shown on my rim before this happened. At least you have a clue now, so that is why I say to inspect everything closely before it causes more serious damage.

Jim

February 28, 2023 at 9:05 am #709525

SLumpp
Participant

I agree that it looks like brake pad dust. My first view would be to look at the pads and make sure you do not have a caliper hanging up or the pad delaminating from the steel backing plate. I had that happen to me. The next thing I would be doing would be making sure that no grease is leaking out of the rear or front seals. Both should be dry, and the axle should have plenty of lubricant in it. I might even go as far as knocking the front cap off to double check the grease level in the axle. If you have regular grease in those hubs you probably have some type of bearing buddy system on that boat. If the grease is overfilled in the axle some will weep out via the pressure release hole on the unit. The problem is that too much pressure will cause the rear seals to be compromised and thus leaking grease. Your photo shows grease on the front, so that does not address if the rear seal is compromised. Any view of under the boat by the axle and seal should either make you rest easy that those seals are good, and your brakes are functioning as they should, or lead you to a potential problem. I double check mine at least twice per year for peace of mind.
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