Leaking spindle seals

[Jeff Robertson]

Am experiencing oil leaking past rotor to spindle seal. Used Mobil 1 synthetic grease to lubricate bearings. Noticed how this oil tends to separate out of grease. Understand this is called bleeding. Now have oil running past seal down rotor and accumulating on inside wheel rim. Was this the incorrect type of grease to use? States for wheel bearings. This grease was chosen because it's tendency to flow better than typical wheel bearing grease. Do I have to much grease inside hub? Has anyone experienced this issue using this grease or any other for that matter?

Have learned it's normal for a small amount of oil to separate from thickener but to switch to a calcium sulfonate base for a better more stable grease. Mobile 1 is lithium complex. Am new to this site. Was hoping to get some guidance with my problem.

 

[facility1]

did you replace the grease seals?,Mobil 1 grease maybe not the best choice in this application as it separates alot,we used this grease at work in various bearings ,and it bleed all over the place, we switched to Schaeffer's # 274 & 219 and with much better results, and NO bearing failures like the Mobil 1 grease had,,,,try another brand of grease and new grease seals, there is nothing wrong by using a lithium complex grease.

 

[Astro14]

The seals themselves may be bad, also, how much grease did you use? Mercedes, for example, has a very specific amount of grease (50 grams, depending on the car) for wheel bearings, and cautions not to use too much. I’ve used Mobil 1 many times with none of the leaking or separation you describe, but I generally install new seals when replacing wheel bearings grease.

Either way, it’s leaking, so those rotors need to come off, and get cleaned up, so, you might as well replace the seals while you’re in there. Try a different grease when you do it. Check your factory service manual to see if there is any guidance on the amount to be used - I’m wondering if perhaps it was too much (and I am guilty of nearly filling everything with grease, only to find out I was using too much).

Again, I’ve had good luck with Mobil 1, but there are lots of great products out there.

 

[Jeff Robertson]

did you replace the grease seals?,Mobil 1 grease maybe not the best choice in this application as it separates alot,we used this grease at work in various bearings ,and it bleed all over the place, we switched to Schaeffer's # 274 & 219 and with much better results, and NO bearing failures like the Mobil 1 grease had,,,,try another brand of grease and new grease seals, there is nothing wrong by using a lithium complex grease.

Grease seals were replaced. This is a 68 Barracuda going through a restoration. All components are new or restored. Is Schaeffer's grease adequate for wheel bearing application? Thanks for responding to my post.

 

[Jeff Robertson]

The seals themselves may be bad, also, how much grease did you use? Mercedes, for example, has a very specific amount of grease (50 grams, depending on the car) for wheel bearings, and cautions not to use too much. I’ve used Mobil 1 many times with none of the leaking or separation you describe, but I generally install new seals when replacing wheel bearings grease.

Either way, it’s leaking, so those rotors need to come off, and get cleaned up, so, you might as well replace the seals while you’re in there. Try a different grease when you do it. Check your factory service manual to see if there is any guidance on the amount to be used - I’m wondering if perhaps it was too much (and I am guilty of nearly filling everything with grease, only to find out I was using too much).

Again, I’ve had good luck with Mobil 1, but there are lots of great products out there.

Car is a 1968 Barracuda undergoing a restoration. Factory service manual is out of date when it comes to choosing the correct grease. Types of grease has come a long way so I have learned. You are correct. The rotors need to come off so seal replacement again is a necessity as well a different grease that's not prone to bleeding. Can you recommend one? I may be guilty of using too much grease but the car is not running when all this started. Thanks for taking time out to respond. Any help is appreciated.