Best wheel bearing grease

Personally, I just grabbed a tube of some black, graphite (or something) infused general purpose "tractor" grease from my dad's shop and have used it since new. When my bearings and seals were replaced in '14, the shop said there were no leaks past the seals and all the bearings still looked to be in excellent shape. For $130 for 4 new Timken brand bearings and seals after 10 years and only 15k miles, it was a no-brainer. Still no leaks and hubs run pretty cool.

Lyle

Likes to tow wrote:
Pennzoil 707L is on the recommended list Dexter publishes. The dropping point of it is 500 degrees. Red N Tacky by Lucas has a dropping point of 540 degrees. Either one should be ok looks like to me.

It's on Lippert's list as well. Maybe they should try it.

Likes to tow wrote:

wilber1 wrote:
Bought a big tub of Pennzoil 707L about 15 years ago. Haven't used it all up yet and have never had a bearing failure or leaking seals, so I I'll just keep using it until it's gone and maybe buy some more.

Don't know what that junk was that came in the Lippert axles on my Grand Design, but it wound up all over the brakes.

Be aware that grease on brake shoes never goes away or burns off. You can wash it or soak it in various cleaners but it continues to seep out of the pores of the shoes. They have to be replaced. I fought this with my last 5th wheel. If you are still under warranty GD will contact Lippert and have new ones sent to you!!

Yup. all new assemblies. Shoes that have been saturated in grease or oil are junk.

Do make sure to replace the seals with quality ones. My Lippert axle seals did a very poor job of keeping the grease in. I did some comparisons and found the seal was designed very poorly.

Lippert seal, notice the lack pointed area where seal would contact shaft.


Good seals like what I replaced the Lippert ones with.

wilber1 wrote:
Bought a big tub of Pennzoil 707L about 15 years ago. Haven't used it all up yet and have never had a bearing failure or leaking seals, so I I'll just keep using it until it's gone and maybe buy some more.

Don't know what that junk was that came in the Lippert axles on my Grand Design, but it wound up all over the brakes.

Be aware that grease on brake shoes never goes away or burns off. You can wash it or soak it in various cleaners but it continues to seep out of the pores of the shoes. They have to be replaced. I fought this with my last 5th wheel. If you are still under warranty GD will contact Lippert and have new ones sent to you!!

Pennzoil 707L is on the recommended list Dexter publishes. The dropping point of it is 500 degrees. Red N Tacky by Lucas has a dropping point of 540 degrees. Either one should be ok looks like to me.

Bought a big tub of Pennzoil 707L about 15 years ago. Haven't used it all up yet and have never had a bearing failure or leaking seals, so I I'll just keep using it until it's gone and maybe buy some more.

Don't know what that junk was that came in the Lippert axles on my Grand Design, but it wound up all over the brakes.

ScottG wrote:
I avoid all synthetic greases. I've tried all the major brands (Amsoil, Mobile 1, etc) and they all separate and drool oil out of the joints. My mechanic buddy quit using it because of this issue.
Good dino grease will work fine.

And that drooling of oil is what I am trying to avoid! Most people do not know about a well documented problem with wheel bearing grease leaking past the seals and covering the brake shoes. This current problem is coming from Lippert who makes all of the frames and running gear on most current production trailers. There have been many theories of why this is happening. Some blame bad seals but my personal observation on my 2017 Grand Design Reflection points entirely to the grease used by Lippert. It is runny and thin. I think it has a very low "drop point" and when the brakes heat the drum the grease becomes oil and runs through the seal. They are replacing all of my brake cluster assemblies on my 2017 with only approximately 1200 miles on it. So when the new brakes arrive I want to totally wash out the old grease and go in with something that can withstand heat.

I avoid all synthetic greases. I've tried all the major brands (Amsoil, Mobile 1, etc) and they all separate and drool oil out of the joints. My mechanic buddy quit using it because of this issue.
Good dino grease will work fine.

Lucus red is a good synthetic grease. It exceeds specs and is a quality lube.
I've used Amsoil grease for years with good success, also a high quality grease.
You've chosen wisely.