So I'm not the only one I guess.
Just lost a brand new stainless one on a test run. Only about 8 miles on HWY 18. I pulled over to see if any heat. No heat and no friggin buddy on the right side. Ugh... So annoying. I have a standard 1.98 hub so using model 1980 stainless.
I will say, I just re-installed one of the old ones and it went on harder than the new one. The hubs are 20 years old. Are new hubs a tad bit bigger I wonder? Or maybe Bearing Buddy is making them a touch smaller? Improved machining making the new models not work with old hubs? Or maybe Bearing Buddy just sucks now?
The boat and trailer are both 2005 models. It still had ORIGINAL tires on it! Haha! I went all the way to Banks and back last warm early October. So glad I didn't have a blow out. Both show 04 as the year made. I got lucky there. One of my dumber decisions.
So now brand new tires, new grease/repacked bearings and new friggin stainless Bearing Buddies. Well, one new stainless buddy and one old regular one with a little rust on it. I'm definitely throwing the other old one in the truck just in case.
@Evan B have you lost any of the Lowe ones yet?