Wheel Bearing Grease Of The Past

I just got thru doing the wheel bearings on my Bantam T3-C trailer this weekend. It’s probably had at least 2, maybe 3, 1,200 mile round trips to the mountains hauling firewood to the cabin and a camping trip, so it was time. I seem to remember back in the day of palm packing wheel bearings, that the grease I used was much thicker than the high heat red grease in the tube that is for both joints and bearings. Am I mistaken or does it matter? They seemed fine but just curious.

Also, how often do you guys totally rinse out the old grease before repacking? Every time, ever other, what?

 

Yeah I have some of that old stuff its like thick paste. Id much rather use new stuff it moves around better. I usually do wheel bearings once when I get it and never again. It shouldnt need it unless you get water in them. But yeah if you do alot of miles it cant hurt. The bigger issue is when people make the nut too tight and they get burned up. Happens all the time.

 

I use the red stuff in a tube from Tractor Supply. It's like Frank's Red Hot, I put that $#!t on everything.

I wash my bearings when I repack them. My theory is that if I'm going through the trouble to take it apart I might as well inspect everything as best I can and remove whatever contamination might have gotten in there. That being said unless it's a boat trailer I don't see the need to repack them very often. Boat trailers every year for sure.

I agree about not making them too tight. On my David Bradley trailer I found the threads were quite course for the nut. It was a bit looser than I prefer but I figure it was better a touch loose than a touch too tight.

 

I use Lucas Red N Tacky.. Simply because it reminds me of the old tub wheel bearing grease.. lol

 

I have some of that old fiber grease my dad had from back in the 40's, that is really stiff. I have removed wheel bearings from mb axles with it in them. don't see how it greased the bearings enough to keep them lubed.

 

I have one of those kits installed on my 4x4 dodge ram that replaces the front unit bearings with a regular hub and two bearings. The kit manufacturer recommended disassemble, clean, and repack every 30k miles. I use a Valvoline red wheel bearing grease for autos with disc brakes. Maybe a synthetic grease. Got it at my FLAPS.

 

I think it gets more liquid the hotter it gets so maybe it wicks in a bit then. After its too late

 

I always feel the hubs when we stop to change drivers, eat, gas, etc. when going on trips with Tubby. And after a fresh greasing, I town him around town some just to check for heat.

 

Replace the ball seals
Replace the hub seal
Replace the locking hub gaskets.
Ignore the bad inner axle seals.
Continue to fill the differential.
SHAZAM, auto repacking hubs


Cheveron makes a really tacky red grease. While it works for normal applications, I usually reserve it for high moisture bearings, like boat axles. I too like a grease that flows for the wheel bearings.

One thing that ruins bearings is being over tight. Tapered bearings will go a LOOOONG way a tad loose, but snug them down and you'll build heat and/or spin a race in a hurry.

 

Amen brother..