Wheel bearing grease

[Robertmg]

It’s time to repack the front wheel bearings. I have read that modern lithium high temperature grease should be avoided as it can melt and run out of the non sealed bearings.

So is Castrol high temperature grease ok? It seems to be lithium based but describes itself as high melting point (not just high temp)? Does anyone have any other recommendations?

Thanks

[Steve Simmons]

Most often I use Lucas Red & Tacky. Never had an issue with it melting or running out.

[Ian R]

Mobil 1 synthetic red grease

[Ray White]

If it says "high temperature grease" it will be fine for your wheel bearings regardless of the lithium component. If your bearings get hot enough to melt the grease then there is probably something wrong like binding or being over filled.

A major cause of over heating wheel bearings is OVER GREASING. Wheel bearings only need enough grease to lubricate; too much will result in premature bearing failure.

[Rob Reilly]

The grease is a thermal conductor, which carries heat away from the bearings.
I pack my hubs full, so the heat dissipates through the hub to the wheel and into the air.
You want a high melting point product labeled as wheel bearing grease, any reputable brand.
The only bearing failure I ever had was from too little grease in the hub.

[Ray White]

Rob. Yes, of course too little grease will cause bearing failure ... but so will a tightly packed bearing. If there is too much grease it will build up resistance and the resultant heat will "cook" the bearing and cause rapid wear.

If you look inside a sealed bearing there is not much grease. The reason is not that the bearing makers are being tight fisted with the lube but there is no need for more grease than is present. Sealed bearings generally have a long life.

https://www.machinerylubrication.com/Re ... rgreasing-

[Robertmg]

Thanks all. Much appreciated.

[Steve Simmons]

Putting too much grease in a sealed bearing will result in grease being pushed out when rotating at high speed, possibly pushing the seal out of place. I did this on a grinder bearing once. Most people don't rebuild sealed bearings though, they just throw them away. In my case it was a vintage bearing with removable seals.

[Rob Reilly]

Are the hub bearings on some T Series sealed? I thought on my TA they were regular non-sealed ball bearings. The Blower manual says to fill the front hubs with grease. The rear hubs had grease nipples inside. I did not take a picture of my front hubs because I thought there was nothing remarkable about them.

IMG_20210414_130736896_HDR.jpg (35.28 KiB) Viewed 3215 times

[Steve Simmons]

No, your memory is correct, none of the stock bearing are sealed. I was just responding to the sealed bearing reference above. That said, rear axle bearings are often swapped out for fully sealed to help cure oil leaks.

[Rob Reilly]

Ok thanks.
First use of the Post Reply button with an attachment.

[ROGER FURNEAUX]

The grease nipple in the rear hubs was discontinued many years ago, at least in those made here in the UK by Orson Engineering. The original idea was to use Castrol Heavy grease (also long since discontinued) which formed a plug inside the hub in a (usually) failed attempt to keep the oil in the axle case (the oil scrolls only do their job when new, and soon get worn by the flexing of the halfshafts. Sealed bearings are a good idea, but do not prevent any oil in the hubs from escaping between the flanges or along the splines.

All prevented of course with my lip-sealed hexagonal hub nuts and taper-fit shafts!

Roger
TC0978

[Ray White]

The P/O of my car used bath plugs!

[tone]

I can happily vouch for Roger Furneaux rear axle bearing/ half shaft mods. Changed my a few years ago and happy oil free brake shoes ever since. Changed the diff. nose bearing unit at the same time, that works well too.

I have no connection with Roger at all, other than we both live on the same island, just a satisfied customer :-)