Bearing Failures & Hub Savers

[Too Tall Paul]

What kind of grease is best? I had semi-trailers with tampered bearings that used a special grease. For chassis grease, I use Lucas Super Tacky.

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

What kind of grease is best? I had semi-trailers with tampered bearings that used a special grease. For chassis grease, I use Lucas Super Tacky.

Best? Not likely to get a consensus on that. lol. I use Amzoil Synthetic NLGI#2. Lots use Lucas redntacky. Any NLGI#2 grease would work fine. Don't mix different greases unless you are sure of compatibility.

 

[Butcher]

Prior posts were different people's opinions. They shared how they take care of their trailer. Maybe they didn't agree with your opinion? Different opinions are rather common on public forums.... (comments removed by moderator in hopes of keeping this thread civil)

Fixed it.

I've never understood why people get so hostile about different opinions. We all have a different life story that shapes how we think about things. I've lived in several places in this world and I have always wondered how most places things are working, but completely different.

 

[silverbuzz]

I am new to having a tow behind trailer. And it seems that most people on this link advocate rebacking your bearings every year. I would like to hear from anyone here what they think about this.
I have had my bearing repacked , but it is going on 2 years (this year).
Thanks in advance for any help

 

[Hoopy Frood]

I am new to having a tow behind trailer. And it seems that most people on this link advocate rebacking your bearings every year. I would like to hear from anyone here what they think about this.
I have had my bearing repacked , but it is going on 2 years (this year).
Thanks in advance for any help

I repack mine every few years, no set schedule. I did the ones on our present trailer a couple years ago, and really don't plan on redoing it this year, maybe next year.

 

[huntindog]

Best? Not likely to get a consensus on that. lol. I use Amzoil Synthetic NLGI#2. Lots use Lucas redntacky. Any NLGI#2 grease would work fine. Don't mix different greases unless you are sure of compatibility.

I just repacked them on our daily driver. A 1973 K5 Blazer. Last did it 7 years ago.They looked like it had been done yesterday. The grease was still red, just like the new I replaced it with. I was amazed. Mobil 1 is some good stuff.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

I just repacked them on our daily driver. A 1973 K5 Blazer. Last did it 7 years ago.They looked like it had been done yesterday. The grease was still red, just like the new I replaced it with. I was amazed. Mobil 1 is some good stuff.

If the seals are good, and the bearings are good, that's not a surprising result. Of course if you damage a seal, and/or do a lot of mudding, things can be different.

 

[lineman1234]

Then there is those of us that between packing, by hand, and replacing the seal, ourselves, use the old lift, turn slow and grease trick.
( ez lube )

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Then there is those of us that between packing, by hand, and replacing the seal, ourselves, use the old lift, turn slow and grease trick.
( ez lube )

I remember the first set of EZ-Lube axles I had, and thought they were a great idea. But the more I thought about it, the more I thought they were more of a marketing item, than a real benefit. The grease in the hub doesn't go anywhere, so it doesn't need refilling. Unless the seals are bad, or you submerse the wheels in deep water, the grease doesn't go bad. And I've never in my life just added grease to a vehicles' wheel bearings. So I just came to the conclusion: "What's the point?".

While I don't necessarily see any harm in them, I also see no real benefit. And there is the off chance that an over-enthusiastic grease monkey can pump enough grease in fast enough to over power the single lip grease seals, and make a real mess.

 

[lineman1234]

canceled due to argument comments.

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

How much grease do you have to push in before you get the second round of old grease?

 

[Hoopy Frood]

How much grease do you have to push in before you get the second round of old grease?

A lot. You'd have to pump enough through to clear out the old grease from the bearing, and that grease has to be pushed all the way through the axle, then through the other bearing, and then out. My guess would be probably a tube per axle to get clean grease all the way through.

And FWIW, excess grease in bearings can sometimes be unhealthy for bearings due to heat buildup from the excess churning of the grease by the bearings.

 

[lineman1234]

also canceled.

 

[lineman1234]

canceled

 

[lineman1234]

also canceled, seems to be taken wrongly

 

[Hoopy Frood]

This sugar beet harvester,,, has ( a lot ) of greaseable parts. High speed barrings, U joints all kinds of moving stuff. Its greased, new grease added to grease thats already in the barring/U joint area. Never are the barrings taken apart, cleaned and reinstalled. Just greased.

Pretty much apples and oranges if you're trying to compare to sealed wheel bearings.

 

[lineman1234]

canceled

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Where did I say sealed?

Well, it was pretty obvious you're trying to compare the sugar beet harvester to an EZ-Lube system and its greasable wheel bearings, hence my comment on apples and oranges.

 

[lineman1234]

I have to this day, never had a trailer bearing failure. Nor have i had a greaseable bearing or U joint fail, or a seal, so far.

I think ill stick with what, how and why i do what works for me.

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

@lineman1234
My question was an honest one. Not trying to insult or argue or anything. I was just wondering how much grease it took. I know the EZ lubes 'can' be used if you are slow and careful but the cavity is pretty big and wondered how many pumps it took.