I checked my wheel bearings today and the grease around the hub and the grease fitting was gray in color... I assume this means water has gotten into the hub, correct?

So I cleaned the hub area out with lots of paper towels and loaded in more grease with a hand gun, and the stuff coming out is more gray material, which I assume is more contaminated grease.

Or am I wrong and this is just the color the grease takes on after about 6 months of usage, the last time I had South Austin Marine relube my axles.

I jacked up the tire and felt no unusual wobbling and heard no grinding/scraping noises. I assume the wheel bearings are still okay.

I know what happens when we *assume* too much.

So... do I keep loading in grease until the contaminated stuff coming out changes to a nice green color? Or do I take the thing into the shop?

The trailer is a Skeeter, about 10 years old but not heavily fished. It doesn't have bearing buddies but does have a sealed hub system called a Bearing Lube System made by UFP.

Any and all suggestions welcome, please.

Yes, water has gotten into the bearing grease. You have an inner and outer bearing. Cleaning out the cap will not reach the inner bearing. In fresh water (if you tow your trailer regularly) I would pull the hub, take bearing out, inspect for pits, or replace with new, pack in the grease with palm of your hand, put bearings back on. Tighten up the hub bolt TIGHT (to seat the bearings) and then backoff a little until the wheel spins freely. Put on Buddy Bearing covers and squirt more grease into the hub. I use the ones with an indicater that sticks out when its full.

You should inspect the bearings and repack(freshwater) every 2-3 years, and ANNUALLY in saltwater.

Boatman1, muchas gracias for the information. Yes, I only fish freshwater in this boat.

I don't think I want to get that greasy, and Spillar Custom Hitches will do the job for me, including installing Bearing Buddies, for around $80+/- with a one day turnaround.

Are you sure they did not use a moly based grease? It's dark grey.

Your best bet would be to service the bearings so you can be sure of what's in there.

If you are going to pull your hub, replace the bearings and seals.