Which Grease Specs / Tech data is most important?

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Just wondering, what is the most important specification or technical data that you consider when choosing a grease product?

Is it manufacturer recommendation?
Is it the NLGI GC-LB certification?
Moly content?

or out of the list of tests that appear on most product data sheets which ones are the most important?


Appearance
Thickening Agent
Worked Penetration (60 Strokes - mm/10) D217
Penetration Loss after 10 000 Strokes D217
Dropping Point (°C) D2265
Oil Separation (% Loss) D1742

BASE OIL PROPERTIES
Viscosity @ 40°C (cSt) D445
Viscosity @ 100°C (cSt) D445
Viscosity Index D2270
Specific Gravity D1298
Density @ 20°C (g/mL) D1298
Pour Point (°C) D97

PERFORMANCE TESTING
Operating Temperature Range
Timken OK Load (kg) D2509
4 Ball EP - Load Wear Index D2596
4 Ball EP - Weld Point (kgf) D2596
4 Ball Wear (mm) D2266
Water Washout % Loss (@79°C/175°F) D1264
Wheel Bearing Leakage (g Loss) D4290
Low Temperature Torque (Nm@ -40°C) D4693
Corrosion Prevention D1743
Oxidation Stability (PSI Loss@ 100 hrs) D942
Bearing Life D3527

Me I typically look at Oil Separation (D1742) Water washout (D1264), Dropping point (D1742) and Low Temperature Torque (D4693) and the 4 Ball results. Not all these are included on every data sheet so it makes comparison a little tough some times.

Anybody else have thoughts?
 
Depends on what you are going to do with it. The thickening agent is what delineates grease from oil so I agree that it is very important.
 
It depends on your application. Universal Joints: Look at the Dana/Spicer U-Joint requirements. GC-LB certification by NLGI is a good minimum spec. for wheel bearings. NLGI #2 is best for most purposes. I also like Lithium Complex grease, as most automotive (not all, by any means) usages are commonly Lithium or Lithium Complex. I do not use moly-grease in wheel bearings nor in universals. Some do, but you will find few, if any who know what they're talking about, who will say, "You must use moly-annotized grease for u-joints and/or wheel bearings," and a significant number who join me in avoiding Moly for these 2 apps. Also, check data sheets for a good heavy-duty grease such as Delo or JT-6 Hi-Temp. Moly IS good for suspension ball joints and king-pins. Another thing I do not do is worry about grease compatability charts, for I will not mix say, A-C with L-C, even tho' it 'may' be permissable to do so.
 
Originally Posted By: JRed
Thickening agent. Without knowing that knowing everything else is unimportant.


Agreed, my experience is that some thickening agents perform better in tests like water washout and oil separation for example (i am thinking aluminum and calcium sulfonate here).

Matching the right grease to the right application is also important. There is a good article from noria here.

The frusterating part (as mentioned in the article) is that most OEM's aren't specific in their grease specifications and so sometimes you should probably be using a more robust grease but all they say is use a #2 high quality lithium. I don't think lithium greases are even close to the best, and high quality is pretty subjective without some specific testing attached.
 
Originally Posted By: SargeBB
It depends on your application. Universal Joints: Look at the Dana/Spicer U-Joint requirements. GC-LB certification by NLGI is a good minimum spec. for wheel bearings. NLGI #2 is best for most purposes. I also like Lithium Complex grease, as most automotive (not all, by any means) usages are commonly Lithium or Lithium Complex. I do not use moly-grease in wheel bearings nor in universals. Some do, but you will find few, if any who know what they're talking about, who will say, "You must use moly-annotized grease for u-joints and/or wheel bearings," and a significant number who join me in avoiding Moly for these 2 apps. Also, check data sheets for a good heavy-duty grease such as Delo or JT-6 Hi-Temp. Moly IS good for suspension ball joints and king-pins. Another thing I do not do is worry about grease compatability charts, for I will not mix say, A-C with L-C, even tho' it 'may' be permissable to do so.


Moly greases are designed for linear bearings not rolling elements bearings, so it is important not to use it in wheel bearings.
 
Base oil viscosity is important when selecting a grease, also what additives are needed for the application - like a ep additive for extreme pressure. Your NLGI is not that important, if you want good pumpability then go with a one instead of two.
 
Originally Posted By: Pistol_Pete


Moly greases are designed for linear bearings not rolling elements bearings, so it is important not to use it in wheel bearings.


Almost all grease labeled "Hi-Temp disk brake wheel bearing grease" in the auto-parts store has moly. Why should Moly be used in wheel bearings? Redline CV-2 grease contains "Red Moly."
 
Originally Posted By: Pistol_Pete
Originally Posted By: SargeBB
It depends on your application. Universal Joints: Look at the Dana/Spicer U-Joint requirements. GC-LB certification by NLGI is a good minimum spec. for wheel bearings. NLGI #2 is best for most purposes. I also like Lithium Complex grease, as most automotive (not all, by any means) usages are commonly Lithium or Lithium Complex. I do not use moly-grease in wheel bearings nor in universals. Some do, but you will find few, if any who know what they're talking about, who will say, "You must use moly-annotized grease for u-joints and/or wheel bearings," and a significant number who join me in avoiding Moly for these 2 apps. Also, check data sheets for a good heavy-duty grease such as Delo or JT-6 Hi-Temp. Moly IS good for suspension ball joints and king-pins. Another thing I do not do is worry about grease compatability charts, for I will not mix say, A-C with L-C, even tho' it 'may' be permissable to do so.


Moly greases are designed for linear bearings not rolling elements bearings, so it is important not to use it in wheel bearings.

I've had CAT Dessert Gold with 5% moly in my wheel bearings for a while with no issues.
 
Originally Posted By: Loobed
Originally Posted By: Pistol_Pete


Moly greases are designed for linear bearings not rolling elements bearings, so it is important not to use it in wheel bearings.


Almost all grease labeled "Hi-Temp disk brake wheel bearing grease" in the auto-parts store has moly. Why should Moly be used in wheel bearings? Redline CV-2 grease contains "Red Moly."





A small percent isnt gonna hurt anything. Its widely use for boundary lubrication, where you have heavy loads and it provides low friction qualities. So a high percentage of MOs2 is great for applications like splines, pivots, cv joints, and any other linear applications.
 
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