Wheel bearing grease

[Frank Lee]

Bearing losses are considered by SAE to be so slight, they aren't included in drag calcs. That said, I like the idea of minimizing them. I aim to try this on my bicycle some day.

I've not attempted a coast-down or anything further than spinning the wheels when the car is jacked up. I will say that the oiled wheel spins much longer than the greased one on the other side in that- ahem- "test".

I don't think it would show up on any gaslog. The resolution isn't fine enough. But it makes me feel good so perhaps there's a placebo effect...

Some semi-trailers are equipped with bearing oilers. From what I've read, reliability and longevity are improved. I wouldn't worry a bit about reliability unless for some reason the oil all leaks out.

Here in the land of -40 deg F, I like to think the bearings are happier when cold with oil.

All I did was mod the grease cap; I cut a 1" hole in it and installed a plastic CaPlug for filling and level checking. Everything else is as it was.

Oil is probably messier than grease. I say "probably" because since I installed the mod 9 years ago, I've not had it apart. Haven't even checked the oil level. The most I've done is give the wheel a spin if I have the car up on jacks, and feel the hub after a trip to see if it's hot, if I think of it.

[Execut1ve]

I"m going to be replacing a wheel bearing soon, figured it was a good time to try some new grease (on the '94 F150). Any recommendations for anything better than the o'reilly house brand?

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by Bror Jace

tasdrouille, given your location (Great White North) and driving habits (modest trips) I'm 99% sure you'd be fine with the slightly thinner wheel bearing grease ... even if it doesn't mention automotive applications.

I'm a charter member of BITOG and have dealt with lubrication topics for nearly a decade. The thinner stuff should be fine. If you are repacking these yourself, I would monitor them every couple months and look for signs of leaking. If the grease stays in place, I'd clean and inspect them in 25,000-35,000 miles just to be sure everything’s doing OK.

Just remember lithium is a soap and lithium-based greases WILL foam-up and wash out if allowed to come into contact with water spray. So, sealing is critical and even a minor leak will allow moisture into the bearing and degrade the grease quickly.

Remember, grease is a lubricant mixed with a hard soap/paste to try to keep the lubricant in place. If you are able to keep lubes (such as gear oil) in place without resorting to drag, you are better off (regarding rolling resistance) without the solid compounds. Using Google quickly, I was unable to find one of these systems as an example.

My pick … if I could have any grease in the world? Schaeffer grease:

Schaeffer Lubricants | Heavy Duty Moly Grease

#274 Moly E.P. Synthetic Plus Grease – NLGI #0

Better low temp and high-temp performance. If Schaeffer prints it, I'm willing to believe it.

I was also early on BITOG. This guy has a depressingly long history of being accurate, correct, clear, etc.

SCHAEFFER's products -- all of them -- are highly recommended.

.

[Frank Lee]

O'Reilly house brand will do the job, for sure it will protect the bearings and as far as rolling resistance probably just as well as anything.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

O'Reilly house brand will do the job, for sure it will protect the bearings and as far as rolling resistance probably just as well as anything.

Don't bet on it. The subject is certainly marginal, but some conditions call for better supplies for the car/truck. Grease ain't just grease when it counts.

For the wary, stay with recommended type.

[Frank Lee]

No, really, I will bet on it.

[slowmover]

For all vehicles (any type) under any/all conditions?

[Frank Lee]

For whatever the can says it's good for.

[cfguy2000]

I just replaced my 200,000 mile worn out front wheel bearings in my 1997 Corolla. 0 difference in mileage. I really doubt there will be an mpg difference among different grease types if changing the bearings did nothing other than fix that terrible noise my car would make around corners.

In fact, the guy at the performance shop where I had my bearings pressed on said that they don't even add any extra grease from what comes from the factory bearing. I added some store brand high-temperature bearing grease anyways.

[Execut1ve]

for you I'm inclined to agree as you're down in TX... up here in OH temps get low enough that the grease can be an issue, I'm inclined to think