wheel bearing grease

[Cortes100]

This sounds sort of dumb for a basic maintenance question, but I'm having a hard time finding grease and the little rubber plug for my wheel hubs. The grease should be marine rated for wheel bearings. I did find one store but says on the tube "not for disc brakes". Maybe they heat up more?? Most stores say to use normal wheel bearing grease but I know there is specific marine types. I've seen these online, but locally I get the deer in the headlight look when I mention marine.
So the big question........does it really matter?

 

[w2much]

Really depends on how much driving , where used ect. I have come to realize that bearings need to be replaced every other year or so regardless . They should be sealed, have good seals ect but the fact of the matter for me is the brakes heat up they get dunked in salt water they get water in them. You get home pump in a bit of grease while the tire spins and you are good to go. But. There is still moisture inside,. An extended winter layup and you have rust. You will replace the bearings again and again. I dont think water resistent grease really does any better than other grease. Just my opinion. A few drops of water is inevitable, so is rust. Just know that you need to replace your bearings often and the type of grease becomes less important. All right take aim and shoot me. I feel the same way about calipers. Whatever brand, only last a few years.

 

[alldodge]

"Do believe" marine grease is a bit different then regular. More so because it supposedly "displaces water" better then regular.

I like amsoil grease best because it really slows way down water mixing with the grease. I no longer use it, but do use Super Tech (wally world) marine grease in my boat trailer wheel bearings.

Never found a wheel seal that keeps all water out, but I'm also in fresh. I note type of grease (disc) when using for auto's, but not trailers. IMO they don't get the same workout

Just my opinion

 

[robert graham]

I use Super Tech (Walmart) grease for everything, cars, boats, trailer, etc.,etc.....great general purpose grease! My trailer is a 1999 model and I've replaced a total of one bearing in all these years, so far,so good!

 

[dingbat]

I use TSC, Marine and Off-road with disc brakes and EZ Lube hubs.

Has a 570 drop temp. Higher than most greases marketed for disc brakes in automotive application.

Works as advertised

https://www.tractor supply.com/tsc/product/traveller-marine-off-road-calcium-sulfonate-nlgi-2-grease-14-oz-cartridge

 

[wmrath]

I am generally a lurker but actually have an opinion. I just replaced my 17 ft Larson with a 28 ft Crownline. Went from a single axle 1987 trailer to a 3 axle 2007 trailer. I replaced the bearings on both trailer as soon as I had them in the drive way.
I trailer my boat and take it in both fresh and salt water. I use Sta-Lube SL3121. It is a marine grade grease. I did not pick it for any reason other than it was on clearance, had good reviews, and was marine grade. However, it is important that you use the same grease when adding grease to your bearings.
I have not had any bearing issues but do maintain them regularly.

 

[dingbat]

Never found a wheel seal that keeps all water out, but I'm also in fresh.

Up until 10 years ago I would say the same thing.

A friend that managed the local bearing and power transmission house turned me on the them.

Fafnir seal. Double lipped with spring garter with outer case seal.

The seal on the case effectively floats in the housing. The movement in the outer ring compensates for any eccentricity in the shaft. The seal can be removed and reused if need be.

The seals on my rear hubs that not been replaced going on at least year 6. Change the grease annually out of guilt, not need

 

[wrvond]

This sounds sort of dumb for a basic maintenance question, but I'm having a hard time finding grease and the little rubber plug for my wheel hubs. The grease should be marine rated for wheel bearings. I did find one store but says on the tube "not for disc brakes". Maybe they heat up more?? Most stores say to use normal wheel bearing grease but I know there is specific marine types. I've seen these online, but locally I get the deer in the headlight look when I mention marine.
So the big question........does it really matter?

Go to amazon and type in the search "trailer wheel bearing plugs". Plenty to choose from and quite inexpensive.
For wheel bearing grease, I'd be comfortable using the Strabrite sold here on iBoats:

 

[Cortes100]

I live in a town with a population of 100,000 and sometimes I shake my head on how hard it is to find special products.. The reason I asked about the marine grease, is it was tough to find anyone that even knew what it was. I did order some from a local store. As for the plugs, even went to a couple trailer places. Some of the their new trailers have the EZ-lube hubs, but they no sell the parts. Finally did find a supplier near by.
I guess going online would have been a lot easier instead of wasting hours driving around.

 

[98Shabah]

I use Green Grease and triple lip hub seals designed specifically for boat trailers. We're on our 3rd boat, and all three trailers came from the factory with basic cheapie double lip seals that leaked. Our closest body of water is 90 miles away, I've never replaced a bearing in the 12 years we've owned boats.