Best wheel bearing grease

[Likes_to_tow]

How is Lucas Red N Tacky for wheel bearings?? The specs say the drop point is 540 degrees and this is above Dexters recommended range. Anyone know of a better type??

[fj12ryder]

laknox wrote:
My dad's usual response was "whatever's in the grease gun". 🙂

Lyle

Ayup.

[laknox]

My dad's usual response was "whatever's in the grease gun". 🙂

Lyle

[Cummins12V98]

Been using AMZ/OIL grease for decades and never have had a bearing go bad.

[cummins2014]

FarrissE wrote:
The best RV wheel-bearing grease that I found is Plews & Edelmann LMX. It is really convenient and easy to use. It is soft enough to be applied to bearings. It does not drip easily, so it will linger where it has been applied. In addition, this grease has anti-corrosion properties that help prevent the gradual deterioration of my bearings. This is very convenient because I won't have to think about getting a replacement soon. This grease is insoluble in water, so there are times when my RV wheels are wet due to road conditions during the rainy and winter seasons. I’m always confident that the bearings are well lubricated.

This thread is pretty old ,the OP asked about Red N Tacky, some seem to be having heartburn with synthetics , I have used both Mobile 1 ,and Red N Tacky ,both have performed well.

[FarrissE]

The best RV wheel-bearing grease that I found is Plews & Edelmann LMX. It is really convenient and easy to use. It is soft enough to be applied to bearings. It does not drip easily, so it will linger where it has been applied. In addition, this grease has anti-corrosion properties that help prevent the gradual deterioration of my bearings. This is very convenient because I won't have to think about getting a replacement soon. This grease is insoluble in water, so there are times when my RV wheels are wet due to road conditions during the rainy and winter seasons. I’m always confident that the bearings are well lubricated.

[Likes_to_tow]

justafordguy wrote:
I don't think the problem is the grease they use but the way they put the grease in. They probably use a air/hydraulic grease gun and put the grease in so fast it blows past any seal. If you hand pack them or use a manual grease gun and go slow while turning the hub the grease won't go past the seal.

As many others have said, to use the zerk and fill the entire hub with grease is just inviting trouble. There is no way for the front bearing to get grease unless the cavity is filled. As the grease gets hot from using the brakes a lot, the grease expands and blows past the seals. Easy lube hubs with the grease fitting are great for boat trailers or on those trailers without brake shoes.

[garyp4951]

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.

I agree, i got tired of red syrup dripping out of my grease gun.

[justafordguy]

I don't think the problem is the grease they use but the way they put the grease in. They probably use a air/hydraulic grease gun and put the grease in so fast it blows past any seal. If you hand pack them or use a manual grease gun and go slow while turning the hub the grease won't go past the seal.

[MFL]

Likes to tow wrote:

azdryheat wrote:
Lippert says to use a lithium-based grease. They have a PDF with grease specs and recommended greases that don't appear to be synthetic. Lippert also says to coat the outside of bearings with a Permatex sealant.

Approved Greases:

Mobil Oil - Mobilgrease HP
Exxon/Standard - Ronex MP
Kendal Refining Co. - Kendall L-427
Ashland Oil Co. - Valvoline Val-plex EP Grease
Pennzoil Prod. Co. - Premium Wheel Bearing Grease 707L

I hope you mean coat the outside of the seal where it meets the drum
with Permatex. I don't want permatex on my bearing surface.

X2, I'm sure he meant seal, not bearing.:W

Jerry

[Likes_to_tow]

azdryheat wrote:
Lippert says to use a lithium-based grease. They have a PDF with grease specs and recommended greases that don't appear to be synthetic. Lippert also says to coat the outside of bearings with a Permatex sealant.

Approved Greases:

Mobil Oil - Mobilgrease HP
Exxon/Standard - Ronex MP
Kendal Refining Co. - Kendall L-427
Ashland Oil Co. - Valvoline Val-plex EP Grease
Pennzoil Prod. Co. - Premium Wheel Bearing Grease 707L

I hope you mean coat the outside of the seal where it meets the drum with Permatex. I don't want permatex on my bearing surface.

[azdryheat]

Lippert says to use a lithium-based grease. They have a PDF with grease specs and recommended greases that don't appear to be synthetic. Lippert also says to coat the outside of bearings with a Permatex sealant.

Approved Greases:

Mobil Oil - Mobilgrease HP
Exxon/Standard - Ronex MP
Kendal Refining Co. - Kendall L-427
Ashland Oil Co. - Valvoline Val-plex EP Grease
Pennzoil Prod. Co. - Premium Wheel Bearing Grease 707L

[ScottG]

3oaks wrote:

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.

A quality seal still should not leak. In the manufacturing industry we use those same seals in gear boxes that are filled with oil. Overtime all seals eventually wear or become contaminated with dirt or become brittle and start to weep.

The specified "drop point" of the bearing grease is to hold a specific thickness of lubrication (grease) between the bearing rollers and the inner and outer bearing races at high wheel bearing temperatures.

Therein lies the problem; It's either Lippert, Alko or Dexter and none of them are high quality.

[3oaks]

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.

A quality seal still should not leak. In the manufacturing industry we use those same seals in gear boxes that are filled with oil. Overtime all seals eventually wear or become contaminated with dirt or become brittle and start to weep.

The specified "drop point" of the bearing grease is to hold a specific thickness of lubrication (grease) between the bearing rollers and the inner and outer bearing races at high wheel bearing temperatures.

[tvman44]

That is what I used when I repacked my wheel bearings a couple of months ago.

[path1]

OP...grease and lubes are in their own world and many different ideas about them. I used to use Ford racing grease because of high drop point etc. Then after talking with an engineer that told me if I needed that high of dropping pint I had other problems. When I had a problem with one hub my temp measured with a IR gun was 210 degrees. An axle sitting for long periods of time is not the best for any type machinery. Anyways....After doing a lot research I now use cheap Walmart grease...can get nation wide and don't worry about mixing the "type". "Type" as in base material the grease is made of. Here is a link with good info from National Grease and lube inst. Not exciting reading, that's for sure but lots of info. https://www.nlgi.org/faqs-lubricating-grease/

FAQ number 9 and 10 applies to RV's IMO. A lot of sitting and not being used does take a toll.