Vault hubs

After reading a post over on the bbc board got me to thinking. Definitly not wanting to replace all my hubs! Im 6 yrs in on my hubs. My gut tells me these hubs need tore down and inspected! So my my questions are Can i reuse the cover cap Is the bearing and seals the standard size If standard grease is used will it build enough pressure off to blow the caps off. Or is this just a standard tear down clean and inspect. Repack bearings with wheel bearing grease of choice, replace seals, install exististing vault cover cap. Or is it best to replace with new hubs from bcb Wat is BCB's take on the dexter "ez lube cap". Ive read over on the bbc board where vault and the marine world is basically in shambles. Due to the failure over time. So im it best at 6 yrs in i need to get this taken of. Will bcb carry in parts a complete grease style hub assembly like the vault assembly. Where its a simply remove one bolt remove the arm and replace

This topic has 17 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 5 months ago by Bass Cat Boats.

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January 11, 2020 at 10:20 am #682351

Redngoo
Participant

After reading a post over on the bbc board got me to thinking. Definitly not wanting to replace all my hubs! Im 6 yrs in on my hubs. My gut tells me these hubs need tore down and inspected!

So my my questions are

Can i reuse the cover cap

Is the bearing and seals the standard size

If standard grease is used will it build enough pressure off to blow the caps off.

Or is this just a standard tear down clean and inspect. Repack bearings with wheel bearing grease of choice, replace seals, install exististing vault cover cap.

Or is it best to replace with new hubs from bcb

Wat is BCB’s take on the dexter “ez lube cap”.

Ive read over on the bbc board where vault and the marine world is basically in shambles. Due to the failure over time. So im it best at 6 yrs in i need to get this taken of. Will bcb carry in parts a complete grease style hub assembly like the vault assembly. Where its a simply remove one bolt remove the arm and replace

January 11, 2020 at 8:54 pm #682382

Cajunhunter67
Participant

Following

January 12, 2020 at 9:11 am #682494

Redngoo
Participant

BCB,

I no many others are curious about this. Ive got one now with some slack. Trying to figure wat direction to go!. Regular grease is my option. But definition need some direction. In all honesty these hubs are “foreign”. Seems very few folks go into them. They simply just replace!. Waiting on a response!

January 12, 2020 at 10:40 am #682507

JEH in La
Participant

Redngoo:

BCB,

I no many others are curious about this. Ive got one now with some slack. Trying to figure wat direction to go!. Regular grease is my option. But definition need some direction. In all honesty these hubs are “foreign”. Seems very few folks go into them. They simply just replace!. Waiting on a response!

This is a very good question Redngoo. This information will benefit BCB owners now and for years to come. I also have Vault hubs and I like them now but if I keep my boat longer I will also be facing this issue.

I’m following too.

January 12, 2020 at 6:46 pm #682598

mark thompson
Participant

Pulled my 2010 puma close to 75,000 miles in 9 years and never had a seal problem or bearing. Checked for play twice a year and never had any trouble. Vault had a 5 year warranty and could be made to 10 years with no tear down.

January 13, 2020 at 7:44 am #682727

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

You can just change to grease on the Vault system and no other changes are necessary. Everyone here has heard us suggest hand packing and reassembly on bearings. Use NO GREASE GUN on center bearing caps, just HAND PACK and reassemble.

BCB

January 13, 2020 at 7:59 am #682732

Shap from La
Participant

If I make it 5 years with my Current rig and I have no trouble along the way with my Vault hubs I think I will just bite the bullet and put 4 new hubs on. I know its costly but so is a bearing failure while traveling hours away from home at night on a dark highway. I’d rather spend a few extra bucks and feel good about towing on a long trip.

Now, if you don’t travel and you stay close to home all the time fishing, say no more than an hours drive or so then I’d probably just repack and go as suggested.

Also, regular balancing of your wheels will help increase bearing life tremendously! A vibrating piece of rotating equipment is a recipe for disaster!

Chris Coupel

Paulina, La.

January 13, 2020 at 9:17 am #682754

Redngoo
Participant

So let just say one needs a brake style hub that is vault will a normal style grease hub work in its place? Or do you have to buy a vault hub at this point?

January 13, 2020 at 9:57 am #682762

BamaCat
Participant

My vault wheels on my 15 Cougar FTD are in the shop as I type. I am having them hand pack with grease and all the bearings inspected and new seals. I just don’t want to take any chances. I have heard of too many Vault wheels being good one day and going out the next. It is my understanding there is only just a small about of grease in a vault wheel and it anything goes things turn bad quickly. Just my own precautions.

January 13, 2020 at 5:32 pm #682872

Danieltx11
Participant

Are all the new rigs coming with the grease hubs now?

January 17, 2020 at 1:32 pm #683218

HSVBCB
Participant

BamaCat:

My vault wheels on my 15 Cougar FTD are in the shop as I type. I am having them hand pack with grease and all the bearings inspected and new seals. I just don’t want to take any chances. I have heard of too many Vault wheels being good one day and going out the next. It is my understanding there is only just a small about of grease in a vault wheel and it anything goes things turn bad quickly. Just my own precautions.

Hey BamaCat, do you mind sharing who you are using for this service? I too am in the HSV area and would be interested in your feedback/review of the shop. Thanks.

January 18, 2020 at 2:44 pm #683318

BamaCat
Participant

HSVBCB:

BamaCat:

My vault wheels on my 15 Cougar FTD are in the shop as I type. I am having them hand pack with grease and all the bearings inspected and new seals. I just don’t want to take any chances. I have heard of too many Vault wheels being good one day and going out the next. It is my understanding there is only just a small about of grease in a vault wheel and it anything goes things turn bad quickly. Just my own precautions.

Hey BamaCat, do you mind sharing who you are using for this service? I too am in the HSV area and would be interested in your feedback/review of the shop. Thanks.

I go to Brown’s Outboard Marine, in Glencoe, AL. Great family BassCat dealer. They do great work and good customer service. Call Lee or Wes at 256- 492-2212. Its a few miles but worth the trip.

January 19, 2020 at 9:23 am #683377

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Danieltx11:

Are all the new rigs coming with the grease hubs now?

Yes, everything in Bass Cat is Bearing Buddy caps we DO NOT suggest using, and grease lubrication. The Vault is a thixotropic lubricant that thins to a liquid when moving. It thus leaks out when the seal is compromised, whereas grease tends to make a mess on the hubs and wheel, and thus gives you warning.

We have not had near the issues on Grease hubs we had with recent Vault assemblies. They do seem to have a 5 year life span for most of the Vault hubs we have seen issues with.

January 19, 2020 at 9:27 am #683378

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Shap, we would find a credible shop and just repack the bearings and replace the seals and brake pads. It should be fine if your mechanic is a good one.

Shap from La:

If I make it 5 years with my Current rig and I have no trouble along the way with my Vault hubs I think I will just bite the bullet and put 4 new hubs on.

January 20, 2020 at 4:29 pm #683457

Macsimus
Participant

Geez. 5+ years ago, Vault hubs were the greatest. Mine have been trouble-free for 5 years and I put 12-15K miles per year on my trailer. Love ’em and despise packing grease.

Why the sudden hysteria over vault hubs?
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