Bearing grease

[j archer]

I’ve been using Lucas bearing grease and my hub seems to get a little hot , no the nut is not to tight or to loose, just wanting to know what everybody is using

[CatFan]

Is it a brake axle?

[bgibson]

Brakes sticking

[j archer]

No issues, just wanting to know what people are using for grease

[tdt91]

This is what I have been using, however it is a PITA to use. thick and stringy, like pizza cheeze, it strings all over. Water don't really affect it though. It's good sheet. I bit harder to pack bearings by hand and messier because of the stringyness.
Green Grease Synthetic Waterproof High Temperature Grease - Walmart.com

[5keepers2]

Lucas marine for me

[DewRonInc]

I tested many greases through black stone labs, Valvaline cerulean came back number 1

[fastfiat]

Bel Ray works well for me. If I didn't use it I would use Lucas. Bel-Ray Waterproof Grease https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045L75M6...R91ED3JJ2CSJ3A

[Johnnyred]

I use the Lucas Red N Tacky that came in my hubs. But honestly any grease rated for wheel bearings on a boat trailer will work fine. Don't get hung up on brand marketing.

Important: your hubs are supposed to get warm to the touch. But not so hot you cannot touch them. I get the feeling from the way your described that your hubs are not so hot you cannot touch them. If you hubs are not warming to the tough after a decent length trip in anything but the most frigid temps, you likely have enough water in them that it is preventing them from warming and action is needed. If your hub is too hot to touch, like others have shared if there is a brake on that axle first thing to check for is a sticking brake caliper.

[OkieBud]

Valvoline Blue Grease I using the same quart from 30 years ago,

[RazorCat]

I’ve always used whatever BCB recommends. I believe it’s Valvoline General Purpose Amber grease. Anyway, I cleaned and repacked the hubs when I bought the boat in 2012 using the original bearings and races with new marine double seals. Rolled along until 2017 when I had my tire shop do a clean and repacked with new seals. Still rolling along fine. See no need to look for a better grease.

[FrancoCialone]

I use Lubrimatic marine trailer wheel bearing grease (calcium sulfonate based formula), and can go for a long drive, get out and check the hubs and they are slightly warm ! I think the biggest problem is guys are forcing too much grease into their hub and the rear grease seal blows out. I put grease into the hub once or twice a year and then only 1 or 2 pumps from the gun just to bring the plunger out a little on my bearing buddies.

[CatFan]

I use Lubrimatic marine trailer wheel bearing grease (calcium sulfonate based formula), and can go for a long drive, get out and check the hubs and they are slightly warm ! I think the biggest problem is guys are forcing too much grease into their hub and the rear grease seal blows out. I put grease into the hub once or twice a year and then only 1 or 2 pumps from the gun just to bring the plunger out a little on my bearing buddies.

If that’s a brake axle, you have a problem.

[leonreno]

I use Wd40 specialist heavy duty grease, high temp drop point and it’s a calcium sulfonate grease, which is supposed to help with water intrusion. But I can guarantee that if your hub is running warmer than normal, the grease is probably not the problem unless there is too little grease or it has water in it.

[Johnnyred]

... if the hub is running so hot you cannot safely touch it and not just warm, then that would not be caused by water intrusion. Water in the hub will make the hub run cooler or without feeling as warm as it should after towing.

[CatFan]

... if the hub is running so hot you cannot safely touch it and not just warm, then that would not be caused by water intrusion. Water in the hub will make the hub run cooler or without feeling as warm as it should after towing.

The amount of water the hub could hold isn’t going to make even a tiny difference in hub temperature after a few miles of towing. If enough energy is there to heat the mass of steel and aluminum of the hub and wheel, the tiny amount of trapped water will heat up far more quickly and have no cooling effect.

[DaveBrabec]

Very common to have a caliper stick.

[MikeF]

Quote Originally Posted by FrancoCialone View Post
I use Lubrimatic marine trailer wheel bearing grease (calcium sulfonate based formula), and can go for a long drive, get out and check the hubs and they are slightly warm ! I think the biggest problem is guys are forcing too much grease into their hub and the rear grease seal blows out. I put grease into the hub once or twice a year and then only 1 or 2 pumps from the gun just to bring the plunger out a little on my bearing buddies.

If that’s a brake axle, you have a problem.

CatFan

What problem do you see?
I must be missing something.

Thanks

[FrancoCialone]

If that’s a brake axle, you have a problem.

No brakes on my trailer

[KennyVexus]

I used a calcium sulfonate based grease before I got a trailer with Vault hubs. (Lubrimatic Marine) I maintain grease specs for a large heavy equipment company. After years of research for many applications, I feel this type of grease fit my needs best. The brand is not important to me, just the spec and certs. If I have to go into the Vaults then I will use what they recommend.
To the OP, If you have completely filled your hub cavities with grease then that can raise the temp some. There should be approximately 1/3 air in the hubs for heat exchange and venting.
P.S. Lucas bearing grease is just fine.