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Wheel bearing grease types?

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Cycling Equipment
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28 February 2007
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5 March 2007
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  1. I re-greasing the wheel bearings next week. I need a tip on the preferences
    for wheel bearing grease. I have ball bearing hubs and I was considering
    using Black Moly grease. Other than the color making for an ugly mess as the
    grease slowly crawls out of the hub over the miles, are there any bad
    reasons to use it? The last wheel bearing grease I used was that thick
    viscous green Phil Wood stuff.

    --
    See You On The Funway
    Purphekt

  2. Quoted message said:

    I re-greasing the wheel bearings next week. I need a tip on the
    preferences for wheel bearing grease. I have ball bearing hubs and I was
    considering using Black Moly grease. Other than the color making for an
    ugly mess as the grease slowly crawls out of the hub over the miles, are
    there any bad reasons to use it? The last wheel bearing grease I used was
    that thick viscous green Phil Wood stuff.

    Was there anything wrong with the Phil grease? That's what I still use in
    just about everything. Good stuff. I've played around with other greases,
    but it seems like the Phil grease is less likely to cake up after a while.
    And it works. Maybe something else might work as well; maybe something else
    might even work better. But I gave up trying to figure that out some time
    ago, after experimenting with various greases. Phil works. Who cares if it's
    over-priced Chevron marine grease. A $6 tube will last for quite a few years
    of normal bike use. And when I found a tube lying around in the garage...
    for over 20 years... it still worked just fine.

    --Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
    www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

  3. In article <[email hidden]>,
    [email hidden] says...

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    I re-greasing the wheel bearings next week. I need a tip on the
    preferences for wheel bearing grease. I have ball bearing hubs and I was
    considering using Black Moly grease. Other than the color making for an
    ugly mess as the grease slowly crawls out of the hub over the miles, are
    there any bad reasons to use it? The last wheel bearing grease I used was
    that thick viscous green Phil Wood stuff.

    Was there anything wrong with the Phil grease? That's what I still use in
    just about everything. Good stuff. I've played around with other greases,
    but it seems like the Phil grease is less likely to cake up after a while.
    And it works. Maybe something else might work as well; maybe something


    else

    Quoted message said:

    might even work better. But I gave up trying to figure that out some time
    ago, after experimenting with various greases. Phil works. Who cares if it's
    over-priced Chevron marine grease. A $6 tube will last for quite a few years
    of normal bike use. And when I found a tube lying around in the garage...
    for over 20 years... it still worked just fine.

    --Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
    www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

    Phil Grease works. Lasts. Park TL-1000 is a little cleaner and seems to work well
    but you can't go wrong with Phil.

  4. email hidden said:

    I re-greasing the wheel bearings next week. I need a tip on the preferences
    for wheel bearing grease. I have ball bearing hubs and I was considering
    using Black Moly grease. Other than the color making for an ugly mess as the
    grease slowly crawls out of the hub over the miles, are there any bad
    reasons to use it? The last wheel bearing grease I used was that thick
    viscous green Phil Wood stuff.

    --
    See You On The Funway
    Purphekt

    I use Walmart marine waterproof grease so it will be available
    anywhere. But it may just be local to here in FL or beach locations.

  5. email hidden said:

    I re-greasing the wheel bearings next week. I need a tip on the preferences
    for wheel bearing grease. I have ball bearing hubs and I was considering
    using Black Moly grease. Other than the color making for an ugly mess as the
    grease slowly crawls out of the hub over the miles, are there any bad
    reasons to use it? The last wheel bearing grease I used was that thick
    viscous green Phil Wood stuff.

    --
    See You On The Funway
    Purphekt

    grease is oil in 'soap'. use any grease, use lots. cannot use too
    much. When it may ooze out, leave it there, acts as a great barrier
    between the inside and outside.

  6. email hidden said:

    I re-greasing the wheel bearings next week. I need a tip on the preferences
    for wheel bearing grease. I have ball bearing hubs and I was considering
    using Black Moly grease. Other than the color making for an ugly mess as the
    grease slowly crawls out of the hub over the miles, are there any bad
    reasons to use it? The last wheel bearing grease I used was that thick
    viscous green Phil Wood stuff.

    I've been using SuperTech Marine Grease for several years. Designed
    for use in boat trailer wheel bearings (i.e., much tougher than any
    duty on a bicycle), the stuff is water resistant and really resists
    washout. Available at your local Wal-Mart in various size containers
    and priced so you won't feel like you're being drilled and tapped when
    you buy it.


  7. Quoted message said:

    grease is oil in 'soap'. use any grease, use lots. cannot use too
    much. When it may ooze out, leave it there, acts as a great barrier
    between the inside and outside.

    If packed with too much grease, could capillary action draw nearby
    water droplets into the hub?

    John McMurry

  8. email hidden said:

    I re-greasing the wheel bearings next week. I need a tip on the preferences
    for wheel bearing grease. I have ball bearing hubs and I was considering
    using Black Moly grease.

    If you got some on the shelf, it'll work just fine. Only reason to
    spend $$ on Phil's is that it comes in a handy tube and smells quite
    nice. If you have a auto parts store nearby, they sell the "single
    serve" packs of grease in little plastic bags by the counter for 99c.
    Snip off a corner like it's a pastry bag. Good stuff. Should do half a
    dozen wheels. Mine was out last time, so I'm stuck with a $3 tub that
    should quite literally last me 20 years.

  9. landotter said:

    On Feb 28, 12:46 am, "[email hidden]"

    Quoted message said:

    I re-greasing the wheel bearings next week. I need a tip on the preferences
    for wheel bearing grease. I have ball bearing hubs and I was considering
    using Black Moly grease.

    If you got some on the shelf, it'll work just fine. Only reason to
    spend $$ on Phil's is that it comes in a handy tube and smells quite
    nice. If you have a auto parts store nearby, they sell the "single
    serve" packs of grease in little plastic bags by the counter for 99c.
    Snip off a corner like it's a pastry bag. Good stuff. Should do half a
    dozen wheels. Mine was out last time, so I'm stuck with a $3 tub that
    should quite literally last me 20 years.

    For people who don't use alotta grease in the course of a year, there
    is also a neat package of fishing reel grease packed in a soft plastic
    container that resembles a miniature concertina. Just push on the
    blunt end, and grease comes out the business end. In most sporting
    goods departments/stores. Packaged under the Zebco brand, and probably
    others. Cheap.

  10. Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    grease is oil in 'soap'. use any grease, use lots. cannot use too
    much. When it may ooze out, leave it there, acts as a great barrier
    between the inside and outside.

    John said:

    If packed with too much grease, could capillary action draw nearby
    water droplets into the hub?

    As Jobst notes regularly, 'seals' exhibit flow - either lubricant out or
    water in.

    --
    Andrew Muzi
    www.yellowjersey.org
    Open every day since 1 April, 1971

  11. Quoted message said:

    I re-greasing the wheel bearings next week. I need a tip on
    the preferences for wheel bearing grease. I have ball bearing
    hubs and I was considering using Black Moly grease. Other than
    the color making for an ugly mess as the grease slowly crawls
    out of the hub over the miles, are there any bad reasons to
    use it? The last wheel bearing grease I used was that thick
    viscous green Phil Wood stuff.

    MoS2 (moly) grease was my choice for wheel bearings last time I
    needed to repack. That was aeons ago, and they're still
    running as smooth as silk with no play.

    It's not for nothing that this stuff is specified for the likes
    of Shimano internal-gear hubs and automotive CV joints.

    John

  12. Quoted message said:


    I re-greasing the wheel bearings next week. I need a tip on the preferences
    for wheel bearing grease. I have ball bearing hubs and I was considering
    using Black Moly grease. Other than the color making for an ugly mess as the
    grease slowly crawls out of the hub over the miles, are there any bad
    reasons to use it? The last wheel bearing grease I used was that thick
    viscous green Phil Wood stuff.

    A couple years ago I bought a can of automotive Pennzoil Premium Wheelbearing
    "707L Red Grease" at Walmart. I think it is excellent, good water
    resistance and very sticky. It's also an EP grease but it is a
    transparent red.

    kw

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  13. i had pennzoil on the shelf when the castrol marine came in. the
    castrol went on the standard rear deray pulley wheels' plain bearings-
    a scheduled maintenance here-snd an excellent test area as i commute
    in the florida rain. the castrol is just excellent at the price,
    doesn't wash out, is slippprrier than a and its cheap too.
    probabbbly excells at cat 6 ifn you're repacking a worn unit. i
    repacked a beat up ball and cone 3 times with it before going to the
    cartridge BB-the ball/cone looked better at 3 than it did when i
    started with the castrol.
    but if you're exotic with grade 25 bearings and wheels mfg. axles then
    spring for the Phil wood or finish line-the low temp viscosity is for
    bicycles while the marine grease tends toward a warmer operating temp:
    especially when the driver tows off with a wheel locked up. FL is good
    to the very last film.
    As Jobst notes regularly, 'seals' exhibit flow - either lubricant out
    or
    water in. so put some in unless you're at the salt flats or crossing
    verdun-the ooze does keep water out.

  14. A Muzi said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    grease is oil in 'soap'. use any grease, use lots. cannot use too
    much. When it may ooze out, leave it there, acts as a great barrier
    between the inside and outside.

    John said:

    If packed with too much grease, could capillary action draw nearby
    water droplets into the hub?

    As Jobst notes regularly, 'seals' exhibit flow - either lubricant out or
    water in.


    that's jobstian muddy water. /some/ seals don't seal, most do. it
    depends on their spec. on bikes, the spec is often "loose" to minimize
    bleating of those that think seals "too draggy". "draggy" seals however
    seal just great. my personal two wet seasons on "draggy" mavic cosmos
    exhibit not the slightest seal/bearing problem. not so for shimano in
    identical conditions.

  15. Andrew Muzi said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    grease is oil in 'soap'. use any grease, use lots. cannot use too
    much. When it may ooze out, leave it there, acts as a great
    barrier between the inside and outside.

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    If packed with too much grease, could capillary action draw nearby
    water droplets into the hub?

    Quoted message said:

    As Jobst notes regularly, 'seals' exhibit flow - either lubricant
    out or water in.

    Just so that doesn't dangle there without further word, let me add a
    link:

    http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/sealed-bearings.html

    Jobst Brandt

  16. Quoted message said:
    Andrew Muzi said:
    Quoted message said:

    > grease is oil in 'soap'. use any grease, use lots. cannot use too
    > much. When it may ooze out, leave it there, acts as a great
    > barrier between the inside and outside.

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    If packed with too much grease, could capillary action draw nearby
    water droplets into the hub?

    Quoted message said:

    As Jobst notes regularly, 'seals' exhibit flow - either lubricant
    out or water in.

    Just so that doesn't dangle there without further word, let me add a
    link:

    http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/sealed-bearings.html

    Jobst Brandt

    so that's all clear then. "seals leak. except for when they don't."
    terrific. now, excuse me for a day or two - i must go do my monthly
    strip-down of all the bearings on my car since the seals must be
    leaking... and would it be worse on bmw's since they're brinelled from
    factory perchance?

  17. jim beam said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    >> grease is oil in 'soap'. use any grease, use lots. cannot use
    >> too much. When it may ooze out, leave it there, acts as a great
    >> barrier between the inside and outside.

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    > If packed with too much grease, could capillary action draw
    > nearby water droplets into the hub?

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    As Jobst notes regularly, 'seals' exhibit flow - either lubricant
    out or water in.

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    Just so that doesn't dangle there without further word, let me add
    a link:

    http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/sealed-bearings.html

    Quoted message said:

    so that's all clear then. "seals leak. except for when they
    don't." terrific. now, excuse me for a day or two - i must go do
    my monthly strip-down of all the bearings on my car since the seals
    must be leaking... and would it be worse on bmw's since they're
    brinelled from factory perchance?

    I see you have difficulty reading. Where does your car have a single
    seal lip separating two liquids? That all seals must weep to survive
    is understood so we don't see that sort of design in cars. The last
    one I came across was a single seal between differential and automatic
    transmission fluid in a 1960 Corvair, a car that had myriad design
    errors. This caused the ring and pinion gears to burn up when ATF
    seeped in there through the single, unvented seal.

    Jobst Brandt

  18. Quoted message said:
    jim beam said:
    Quoted message said:

    >>> grease is oil in 'soap'. use any grease, use lots. cannot use
    >>> too much. When it may ooze out, leave it there, acts as a great
    >>> barrier between the inside and outside.

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    >> If packed with too much grease, could capillary action draw
    >> nearby water droplets into the hub?

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    > As Jobst notes regularly, 'seals' exhibit flow - either lubricant
    > out or water in.

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    Just so that doesn't dangle there without further word, let me add
    a link:

    http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/sealed-bearings.html

    Quoted message said:

    so that's all clear then. "seals leak. except for when they
    don't." terrific. now, excuse me for a day or two - i must go do
    my monthly strip-down of all the bearings on my car since the seals
    must be leaking... and would it be worse on bmw's since they're
    brinelled from factory perchance?

    I see you have difficulty reading.

    yes, i have a good deal of difficulty reading you telling us a good deal
    more than you actually know.

    Quoted message said:

    Where does your car have a single
    seal lip separating two liquids?

    er, how about a wheel bearing? and you're certain that all bike
    bearings are single lip are you? be careful now jobst...

    Quoted message said:

    That all seals must weep to survive
    is understood

    indeed.

    Quoted message said:

    so we don't see that sort of design in cars.

    yes we do!!!! when's the last time you looked at an automotive seal???

    Quoted message said:

    The last
    one I came across was a single seal between differential and automatic
    transmission fluid in a 1960 Corvair, a car that had myriad design
    errors. This caused the ring and pinion gears to burn up when ATF
    seeped in there through the single, unvented seal.

    quality issues are not design issues. and design issues are not spec
    issues. your example is one where speed, temperature and pressure
    differentials are somewhat different to a bike bearing. but don't let
    details get in the way of the fudge.

  19. "The next time water contacts the interface, it wicks into the gap by
    capillary action and begins to fill the bearing;"
    An elmer's blue school glue bottle is in use here for dispensing
    (significant upgrade)valvo synth trans lube onto the chain and not the
    south 40. The elmers is left outside atop a railroad tie. The trans
    lube is cloudy with water not that the rains are heavy here.
    "There doesn't seem to be a consensus on cup-and-cone bearings vs the
    cartridge bearings": hereabouts in S. Fla, a brief survey of LBS found
    the most common opinion as "those cartridge hubs are [censored]." However,
    as stated finding a phil wood hub owner is akin to the extinct
    woodpecker.
    One of the fine elements of cycling is the common ability to grok the
    equipment more readily than ur morgan or maserati -8 and so with the
    bearing repack: how much grease? Well, we know the lbs is cheating us
    on grease and 2) we're not running the salt flats or Verdun although
    there are times when, so packing the cup good and solid is a good idea
    so come the next maintenance interval when your too busy and time
    slips away for 6-7 months, the bearing will retain a small quantity at
    1 year plus, right?
    Gee, "a bimmer:" auto's have brake heat driving the moisture away as
    the grease evaps and pressures outward as you drive to the course at
    pebble for a few rounds with clint.
    Actually, not schooled as a mechanical engineer, I rather see grease
    as stated; fudge with walnuts. Notice how the walnuts disappear into
    the batter when operating the beater. The walnuts go down then come up
    on the outside against the bowl wall. That's what I saw when grokking
    the front hub.
    THIS IS GREASE'S TRUE FUNCTION!!! Absorbing dirt, dog [censored], broken
    campy hub particles and shimano oil seals.

  20. Quoted message said:

    "The next time water contacts the interface, it wicks into the gap by
    capillary action and begins to fill the bearing;"
    An elmer's blue school glue bottle is in use here for dispensing
    (significant upgrade)valvo synth trans lube onto the chain and not the
    south 40. The elmers is left outside atop a railroad tie. The trans
    lube is cloudy with water not that the rains are heavy here.
    "There doesn't seem to be a consensus on cup-and-cone bearings vs the
    cartridge bearings": hereabouts in S. Fla, a brief survey of LBS found
    the most common opinion as "those cartridge hubs are [censored]." However,
    as stated finding a phil wood hub owner is akin to the extinct
    woodpecker.
    One of the fine elements of cycling is the common ability to grok the
    equipment more readily than ur morgan or maserati -8 and so with the
    bearing repack: how much grease? Well, we know the lbs is cheating us
    on grease and 2) we're not running the salt flats or Verdun although
    there are times when, so packing the cup good and solid is a good idea
    so come the next maintenance interval when your too busy and time
    slips away for 6-7 months, the bearing will retain a small quantity at
    1 year plus, right?
    Gee, "a bimmer:" auto's have brake heat driving the moisture away as
    the grease evaps and pressures outward as you drive to the course at
    pebble for a few rounds with clint.
    Actually, not schooled as a mechanical engineer, I rather see grease
    as stated; fudge with walnuts. Notice how the walnuts disappear into
    the batter when operating the beater. The walnuts go down then come up
    on the outside against the bowl wall. That's what I saw when grokking
    the front hub.
    THIS IS GREASE'S TRUE FUNCTION!!! Absorbing dirt, dog [censored], broken
    campy hub particles and shimano oil seals.

    I think there may be a name for a new Ben & jerry ice cream in the
    above. :-))

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