Wheel bearing grease!

[IC2]

I've been using a DSexter recommended grease, Mystick JT6 high temp grease with our 5ers wheel bearings. Not happy with how that grease survives high tempetures. I've had a suspicion that all was not well but to completely change it out now is a big cleaning project (2X this spring wont work timewise). I am planning on doing that job either later this fall or at the usual yearly bearing inspection time in the spring

Reason that I've gotten a bit leary is that after about 2800 miles, the bearings seemed to have little lube on the rollers. I them had a glob left on my hand after greasing one of them and wiped it on a rag. It started to mely on a 65* day though in direct sun. Before you ask I know the correct method of hand lubing the cones.

What grease are others using with your fairly heavy 5ers (12K plus) that seems to do a good job.

[450Donn]

You want EP2 synthetic grease. EP2 is a high temp grease that will hold up much better than an EP1.
What is the EP rating of the grease your using?

[LJowdy]

I've used a lot of different kinds of grease all with the same success. On my 20' enclosed trailer (9,000 lbs) I've installed "Bearing Buddies" and every time I take it out, I squirt some grease through the Zerk fitting and I haven't manually greased the bearings in 10 years without any adverse incidents.

[keymastr]

Bearing buddies are meant for boat trailers. The spring loading prevents water intrusion when a hot wheel is dunked at the launch ramp. No benefit for trailers that are not dunked in water.

[IC2]

Originally Posted by 450Donn

You want EP2 synthetic grease. EP2 is a high temp grease that will hold up much better than an EP1.
What is the EP rating of the grease your using?

It is a NLGI #2 lithium complex grase, rated to 325*F. I've used it for years but it just doesn't seem as good as in the past

[LJowdy]

Keymastr, I'm going to help you learn something today...

Yes they do have a benefit in that the spring loaded disk pushes grease into the bearings. Been using them on land based trailers for over 30 years with great success.

[grindstone01]

I've had good luck using Valvoline synthetic wheel brg grease. I'm old school on this and still hand pack every year at 10k miles.

[Bertrrr]

Bearing Buddies work fine for any trailer bearing all you need is a few pumps every so often , been greasing mechanical things for over 40 yrs.

[IC2]

Originally Posted by grindstone01

I've had good luck using Valvoline synthetic wheel brg grease. I'm old school on this and still hand pack every year at 10k miles.

I've had good luck using Valvoline products in performance cars. This one isn't a Dexter recommended grease but the specs are as good or better then the Mystick that I'm starting to question.

Originally Posted by Bertrrr

Bearing Buddies work fine for any trailer bearing all you need is a few pumps every so often , been greasing mechanical things for over 40 yrs.

Since we've wandered from the question a bit ---- Bearing Buddies were designed for boat trailers that are often dunked in water. Most RV trailers, TT or 5ers, now use E-Z Lube axles. Why would you want to use Bearing Buddies on one of them even if they would fit over the Zerk? You are asking for brake problems with grease pushing past that hub seal which only fits on about a .030 land if you have no spindle nut and washer end relief area for excess grease. I wont even use the E-Z Lube function for that reason even with disc brakes, preferring to do the old school way 12,000 miles or 12 months (which usually comes first)

[Soppy]

If you want real good wheel bearing grease use Timken Synthetic Wheel Bearing Grease ALL78242. Not cheap , but it works good.

[IC2]

Originally Posted by Soppy

If you want real good wheel bearing grease use Timken Synthetic Wheel Bearing Grease ALL78242. Not cheap , but it works good.

Oh MY! $27 at Amazon, $29 on eBay. Might be worth a try if it doesn't melt/run like so many others at low temps.

Way back, I used to use Texaco's Marfak #1 which always worked but probably wouldn't with the way bearings are used these days.

[Wood Chip]

Mobile 1 synthetic

[IC2]

Just for the heckuvit I did a Google "Best Wheel Bearing Grease" and came up with some ineresting info. The greases that came out tops in several were the Valvoline, Timken and Lucas synthetic/EP/NLGI 2/ 500 degree drop point/Lithium complex. The grease I've been using - not even mentioned in any of these "professional" reviews nor was the Mobil Synthetic. The total omission of the Mobil grease surprised me, especially with their Mobil 1 Synthetic oils being so popular. Soooooo looks like a whole new brand of grease is in my future next time I do the bearings. I may replace all 4 outer bearings as well as they take the worst wear.

Thanks folks for your help in nudging me away from the stuff I've been using

[Wood Chip]

Originally Posted by IC2

Just for the heckuvit I did a Google "Best Wheel Bearing Grease" and came up with some ineresting info. The greases that came out tops in several were the Valvoline, Timken and Lucas synthetic/EP/NLGI 2/ 500 degree drop point/Lithium complex. The grease I've been using - not even mentioned in any of these "professional" reviews nor was the Mobil Synthetic. The total omission of the Mobil grease surprised me, especially with their Mobil 1 Synthetic oils being so popular. Soooooo looks like a whole new brand of grease is in my future next time I do the bearings. I may replace all 4 outer bearings as well as they take the worst wear.

Thanks folks for your help in nudging me away from the stuff I've been using

Depends what article you read. This what I just pulled up

1. Mobil 1 Synthetic Grease
2. Valvoline - SynPower Synthetic Grease
3. Royal Purple – Ultra Performance – Synthetic Grease
5. Timken – Performance Racing Grease