If you ’re relatively new to the creation of towing and all of the term , tool , equipment and add-on that come along with it , it ’s easy to be a bit overwhelmed . thing like staring fomite weight military rating , clapper weight unit , trailer brake , drawbar puff , tie - down hangers , trailer roof ventsand tow bars ( among countless others ) are often the stress of give-and-take online and at the local trailer supplying voice counter . You ’ll find that sometimes it ’s loose to overlook the dim-witted of piece in these bigger treatment . Grease caps are a good exemplar . These very small , yet very authoritative , components typically get very small care – that is , until something operate amiss and a cracked grease cap is the reason you ’re sit around on the shoulder of the main road expect for the wayside assistance truck to show up .
But what exactly are filth caps ? What are they used for ? Are they simply a decorative add-on for your preview , or do they serve a real purpose ? Well , you could be assured that grease caps are not decorative . Although a shiny chrome stain roof can be a dainty touch on a rather manifest laggard wheel , they answer a very important intent . Grease cap are the modest , orotund , metal screening you see at the very center of a roulette wheel . Sometimes they ’re called dust caps , but for clarity , we ’ll call them grease caps from this head frontward . Grease caps protect your wheel bearings from the dirt , debris , sand , body of water , table salt and road grease that can ( and will ) destroy posture . Without soil cap , your bike aim only would n’t survive for very long out on the route .
Bearings require constant lubrication to persist effective . Thick hold soil is pack all around the cycle carriage every sentence they ’re exchange or even when they ’re take forwheel hubor axle religious service . Grease caps protect the bearing grease from contaminant and also hold the grime that surrounds the wheel charge in place .
In fact , the detonator themselves are also packed with grease . This serve two purpose . It provides a uninterrupted supply of grunge for the bearings , and it also keeps the grease from migrating away . If the cap were empty , the grunge might eventually work its means into the cap , fulfil the jacket but leaving the bearings dry . That ’s why it ’s of import to not only pack the aim with grease but to also completely fill the caps with grease .
Now that you have a good idea of what grease caps are , study the next page to rule out how to utilize them .
Using Grease Caps
On any vehicle , protect your wheel bearings from dirt , dust , water , Strategic Arms Limitation Talks , Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin and other contaminants is critical , so when it comes to using soil caps , you do n’t have much of a choice . That ’s their line . You either habituate them and your wheel bearings will remain utilitarian , or you do n’t , and your bike bearing get into out in a hurry .
Part of proper trailer maintenance involves rack put up maintenance . The drone wheel bearings should be removed , clean and repacked with grease at least once each yr . If you ’re draw aboat preview , especially a prevue that ’s disclose to seawater , it ’s a good idea to do this at least double each yr [ germ : Trailer Parts Warehouse ] . This intend that you ’ll be remove the dirt caps to get to the bearing , so do n’t forget to completely fill the grease jacket , too .
dirt caps come in a broad variety of size , shapes and conclusion to custom fit every lotion . Sometimes they are the press - on character , but typically they are wind in place – sort of like a lid on a jounce . recognize this is critical when you ’re removing the filth cap . If you force a grease chapiter and somehow turn , crack or puncture it in the cognitive process , you ’ll postulate to grease one’s palms a new hood . The unspoilt news is that they ’re not expensive – they ’re usually only a few dollar bill each . The bad word is that you ’ll need to get a new cap before you go anywhere . If you allow the bearing to be exposed for any amount of time , you ’re risking contamination that can demolish the bearings .
One way to prevent damage to your grease caps ( aside from knowing if the caps are the military press - on or screw on - type ) is to buy the right tool to take away them . A lot of grime caps are damaged by people prying the caps off from thewheel hubwith a screwdriver or similar dick . Several company make peter design specifically for this purpose , so if you ’re going to be polish off and replacing your filth cap ofttimes , it ’s a proficient idea to purchase one . You ’ll detect that it will save you a lot of time , money and thwarting when you ’re servicing the wheel bearings .
To take more about tow equipment , tow accessory and other related to topics , follow the link on the next page .
Lots More Information
Related HowStuffWorks Articles
More big Links
source