Greasing bearings before a long haul...

[pfistey1]

I wanted to know the dangers I may expierence if I grease the bearings with different grease that is currently in the hub before a long road trip? Or should I just leave them alone. The owner of the trailer now claims everything is in perfect working condition, however, I have my doubts. Thanks for the feedback, Rich

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Greasing bearings before a long haul...

Grease will not react to the point it will do harm. I think it is a good idea and I would check the hubs for heat during the trip.<br /><br />You can always clean and repack at the end of the trip to remove the mixed grease.<br /><br />Bob

 

[pfistey1]

Re: Greasing bearings before a long haul...

Thanks for the advice, I never thought to do that. I'll stop from time to time. Rich

 

[salty87]

Re: Greasing bearings before a long haul...

mixed grease is better than none

 

[wayne h]

Re: Greasing bearings before a long haul...

mixing grease can be a bad thing it can acually liquidize (is that a real word haha) and come out of the hubs. i have never seen it but i have heard of it happening

 

[rwidman]

Re: Greasing bearings before a long haul...

If it's the same type of grease it will be fine. It doesn't have to be the same brand. See if the previous owner knows what type of grease was used. There is a specification on the tube.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Greasing bearings before a long haul...

I used the wrong grease gun one day last year, and pumped up my bearing buddies with the wrong grease. It did liquify some, and some did leak out the buddies and make a mess. <br /><br />When I repacked them, they were full of grease, but it was kind of runny.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Greasing bearings before a long haul...

Take your grease gun with you.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Greasing bearings before a long haul...

As long as you use a nonsynthetic wheel bearing grease you should be fine.As JRJ states,take the gun with you.I would make a stop shortly after starting and check the tightness of the lug nuts and for a re-grease.Charlie

 

[fondafj]

Re: Greasing bearings before a long haul...

Rich,<br /> I wouldn't mix the grease unless you know what is currently in the hubs. Pop one off and check.... my Shoreland'r trailer came with some grey soupy stuff that I had contaminated with "standard" waterproof wheel bearing grease. I would up cleaning and repacking everything with the grease I chose to use. <br /> Also, I use a $80 handheld infared thermometer to check my bearings during travel. Always after the first 30 min and every 1 hr after. Most times they run in the 120-140 deg F range on a hot sunny day. I have found misadjusted brakes with this as well. <br /> One final note --- the time to add grease is just before dunking the trailer and after a short cool down for the bearings. Dunking the bearings while they are at highway temp and without greasing may result in a rapid cooling that could cause a "suction" and pull water past the seals

 

[SS Flasher]

Re: Greasing bearings before a long haul...

You will probably get away with mixing grease but doing so is not recommended. In fact, in theory it is best to use grease from the same lot number. It?s the additives that may not be compatible. Take your grease gun with you. As mentioned on this thread, grease can go runny. I have also seen grease go hard when synthetic grease was mixed with unknown grease.