I was reading my Roadmaster tow dolly manual and it states to pump grease into the fitting until fresh grease comes out every 3000 miles. The zerk is on the end of the axle stub which is hollow and the grease exits around the inside bearing. Pumping grease in until it exits out of the hub at the outside bearing would completely fill the hub. I have never filled a hub like that, and thought it was not advised because as it heats up grease would continue to be forced out making a mess of the wheel and anything else it could sling up on. I have also heard it causes your hub to run hotter. 3000 miles is also overkill for sure. Your thoughts?
Does anyone fully pack their hubs with grease?
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JHZR2
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The only cars Ive done greasing on in the hubs are my old MBs. They specify a mass of grease, and a proportion of how much gets worked in and how much gets put into the cap. Once its sealed in, its sealed in.
This situation strikes me as a super-easy service, and so more heat/oxidation is somewhat irrelevant and it is easy to keep getting new stuff in there.
Id agree that it is a waste and may effect life, but with the ease of replenishing, Ill bet that the OEM just does not care.
This situation strikes me as a super-easy service, and so more heat/oxidation is somewhat irrelevant and it is easy to keep getting new stuff in there.
Id agree that it is a waste and may effect life, but with the ease of replenishing, Ill bet that the OEM just does not care.
I have noticed the same instructions on the newer axles we use at work. My guess is it is not an issue on that bearing setup. "Bearing Buddies" do essentially the same thing.
These are not cheap consumer-grade axles.
These are not cheap consumer-grade axles.
Originally Posted By: tom slick
I have noticed the same instructions on the newer axles we use at work. My guess is it is not an issue on that bearing setup. "Bearing Buddies" do essentially the same thing.
These are not cheap consumer-grade axles.
Bearing buddies are different. The grease you apply there enter enters the outer region of the hub where it also exits when full. If the hub is full of air it stays full of air...just compressed a little.
I have noticed the same instructions on the newer axles we use at work. My guess is it is not an issue on that bearing setup. "Bearing Buddies" do essentially the same thing.
These are not cheap consumer-grade axles.
Bearing buddies are different. The grease you apply there enter enters the outer region of the hub where it also exits when full. If the hub is full of air it stays full of air...just compressed a little.
I finally found this on the Timkin website.
For best results, ample space
is essential in the housing to
allow room for excess grease to
be thrown from the bearing and
for heat dissipation. It is equally
important to retain the grease
around the bearing. Normally,
the housing should be 1/3 to
no more than 1/2 full of grease
during bearing assembly. Too much grease in the housing may
cause excess churning of the
grease and high temperatures.
For best results, ample space
is essential in the housing to
allow room for excess grease to
be thrown from the bearing and
for heat dissipation. It is equally
important to retain the grease
around the bearing. Normally,
the housing should be 1/3 to
no more than 1/2 full of grease
during bearing assembly. Too much grease in the housing may
cause excess churning of the
grease and high temperatures.
also #2 grease is thinner than wheel bearing grease you get in a tub.
Every hub I have seen with a grease zerk gets lubed the way your instructions say. That is, pump until you start to see grease come out of the seal.
I have seen it most on heavy duty/ag hubs. They use the same tapered roller bearings and grease seal as other hubs. So I don't see why following the directions would cause any harm.
Every hub I have seen with a grease zerk gets lubed the way your instructions say. That is, pump until you start to see grease come out of the seal.
I have seen it most on heavy duty/ag hubs. They use the same tapered roller bearings and grease seal as other hubs. So I don't see why following the directions would cause any harm.
This is one of the best marketing ploys that axle manufacturers have come up with they sell you on easy maintenance and then get to sell you a new axle again when the wheel seal blows and your bearings get fried
Originally Posted By: Texan4Life
also #2 grease is thinner than wheel bearing grease you get in a tub.
Every hub I have seen with a grease zerk gets lubed the way your instructions say. That is, pump until you start to see grease come out of the seal.
I have seen it most on heavy duty/ag hubs. They use the same tapered roller bearings and grease seal as other hubs. So I don't see why following the directions would cause any harm.
AG hubs are low speed. You could probably pack those with bacon grease and they would be fine. But for bearings that could see 600 miles highways driving in the summer per day???
also #2 grease is thinner than wheel bearing grease you get in a tub.
Every hub I have seen with a grease zerk gets lubed the way your instructions say. That is, pump until you start to see grease come out of the seal.
I have seen it most on heavy duty/ag hubs. They use the same tapered roller bearings and grease seal as other hubs. So I don't see why following the directions would cause any harm.
AG hubs are low speed. You could probably pack those with bacon grease and they would be fine. But for bearings that could see 600 miles highways driving in the summer per day???
Originally Posted By: Texan4Life
also #2 grease is thinner than wheel bearing grease you get in a tub.
Your going to have to show us this one before anyone believes this. Most times the grease in the tub is exactly the same grease that comes in cartridges, #2 bearing/chassis grease (NLGI GC-LB).
also #2 grease is thinner than wheel bearing grease you get in a tub.
Your going to have to show us this one before anyone believes this. Most times the grease in the tub is exactly the same grease that comes in cartridges, #2 bearing/chassis grease (NLGI GC-LB).
I thought packing full of grease would inhibit cooling? I'm not sure what I think about the grease inside the hub doing nothing... Seems like a lot of wasted grease. Then again my trailers get so little use it probably doesn't matter what I do, as long as I repack every so often.
The point of any "extra" grease is to replace any grease that flows out/wears out of the bearing. Thats why manuals will tell you to pack it up onto both sides as well.
Beyond that, it prevents corrosion and acts as a seal against dirt and water in the outer parts of the hub.
Beyond that, it prevents corrosion and acts as a seal against dirt and water in the outer parts of the hub.
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