Top 8 Best Wheel Bearing Greases [2021]

While a lot of attention is paid to major automotive lubricants, such as motor oil and transmission fluid, there are many other components in a vehicle that have specific lubrication requirements. One of those components is the hub or drum assembly, where the commonly known automotive wheel lubricants are commonly used.

Wheel hubs or drum assemblies can be lubricated by oil or grease, and like engines and transmissions, lubrication practices will have a significant impact on their life and operation. The better you take care of these components, the longer they will last.

In this article, we are going to present to you the 8 best wheel-bearing greases available on the market today for you to choose from.

  • Best
    Value

    Lucas Oil 10301

    Lucas Oil 10301

    4.7

    3,284 reviews

    Check price

  • Editors
    Choice

    Allstar ALL78241 Timken Brand

    Allstar ALL78241 Timken Brand

    4.8

    708 reviews

    Check price

  • Triax Atlas 600 Grease

    Triax Atlas 600 Grease

    4.7

    160 reviews

    Check price

  • Royal Purple Ultra-Performance Grease

    Royal Purple Ultra-Performance Grease

    4.7

    524 reviews

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  • Plews Edelmann LubriMatic

    Plews Edelmann LubriMatic

    4.8

    300 reviews

    Check price

Lucas Oil 10301 Allstar ALL78241 Timken Brand Triax Atlas 600 Grease Royal Purple Ultra-Performance Grease Plews Edelmann LubriMatic

Best
Value

Lucas Oil 10301

Editors
Choice

Allstar ALL78241 Timken Brand

Triax Atlas 600 Grease
Royal Purple Ultra-Performance Grease
Plews Edelmann LubriMatic
4.7

3,284 reviews

4.8

708 reviews

4.7

160 reviews

4.7

524 reviews

4.8

300 reviews

Check price Check price Check price Check price Check price

Top 8 Best Wheel Bearing Greases

Lucas Oil 10301

Lucas Oil 10301

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  • PROS

    • Lasts four times longer than regular grease

    • Virtually waterproof

    • All temperature stable

    • Exceeds Lube for Life specifications

    • Ultimate grease for high-speed bearings

  • CONS

    • Not applicable for marine use

4.7

3,284 reviews

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Lucas Extra Heavy Duty Grease is specially designed for automotive, agricultural, heavy-duty and industrial applications. It is actually waterproof and more durable than any conventional lithium-based grease. It comes with extreme pressure additive packaging and exceeds the specifications of the original lubricant during its lifetime.

Lucas Oil is one of the top brands in greases and oils and is a highly-respected company with top-quality products. The Lucas Oil 10301 Heavy Duty Grease will maintain your wheel bearings and prevent rust and corrosion.

Allstar ALL78241 Timken Brand

Allstar ALL78241 Timken Brand

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  • PROS

    • Specially formulated for drums and discs

    • Contains corrosion inhibitors and anti-wear and water-resistant additives

    • Highly affordable

  • CONS

    • 16-ounce tub sold separately

4.8

708 reviews

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Allstar Timken Advanced Red TUB 16oz wheel bearing grease contains top-quality wheel bearing grease. This high-quality red high-temperature grease is specially developed for disc and drum bearings. Contains corrosion inhibitors. As well as anti-wear and anti-water additives. Provide excellent protection in harsh environments.

The National Lubricant Institute (NLGI) has certified the highest performance grease for chassis lubricants (NLGI LB) and wheel bearings). It has a lithium complex thickener. 2 It can resist softening and provide the mechanical stability required for demanding applications.

Timken (King) grade is 55, has excellent toughness, and contains corrosion inhibitors, anti-wear, and waterproof additives to provide additional protection. Comes with a 16-ounce tun which is sold separately.

Triax Atlas 600 Grease

Triax Atlas 600 Grease

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  • PROS

    • Outstanding performance for virtually all applications

    • Unmatched, high adhesion to metal components

    • Will not shear, separate, or liquefy

  • CONS

    • A bit pricey compared with its competitors

4.7

160 reviews

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TRIAX ATLAS 600 synthetic grease is a unique high-performance synthetic grease designed for almost all heavy-duty and reusable applications under general and severe conditions. This product is made from scratch using high viscosity and high-quality base oils. Additives with excellent performance and stability include various corrosion inhibitors, extreme pressure additives, adhesion promoters, and oxidation inhibitors.

Designed to stay in place in almost all applications and prevent metal-to-metal contact. Due to its high mechanical stability and load-bearing capacity, it can be used in harsh working conditions such as mining, agriculture, and construction. The high-temperature operation can ensure that the disc brake hub bearings operate at high and ambient temperatures.

The extremely high resistance to freshwater washing makes this grease the best choice for applications that inevitably come into contact with water and are difficult to clean. This includes high-performance applications for equipment operating in very wet and humid conditions and in water.

Royal Purple Ultra-Performance Grease

Royal Purple Ultra-Performance Grease

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  • PROS

    • Reduces vibrations

    • Greater wear protection

    • Significantly increases bearing life

  • CONS

    • Less water-resistant compared to other top-level bearing greases.

4.7

524 reviews

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Ultra-high performance grease (UPG) is a multi-functional, multi-functional synthetic aluminum composite grease, which can significantly improve bearing life and equipment reliability. In addition, the operation of the camp is getting quieter and getting cooler.

From bearing lubrication and universal joints to general applications, it has excellent extreme pressure performance and excellent resistance to emulsification and washing.

The Royal Purple Grease is stable at high temperatures. It also has excellent oxidation resistance, can extend the service life, and provide a certain safety margin between two lubrication intervals.

When the China Star train experienced heating problems that prevented it from reaching the optimal speed, they rated the 26 best lubricants. Senior engineers chose Royal Purple’s ultra-high performance grease. Ultra-high performance grease helped them solve the heating problem and set a new speed record for high-speed trains.

UPG is formulated with an advanced blend of synthetic base oils and Royal Purple exclusive Synerlec non-corrosive additives.

Plews Edelmann LubriMatic

Plews Edelmann LubriMatic

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  • PROS

    • Special calcium sulfonate complex

    • The water-insoluble formula is ideal for marine applications

    • High 550 degree F drop point makes this an excellent grease for marine and non-marine applications

  • CONS

    • It may not be suitable for warm weather applications

4.8

300 reviews

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LubriMatic marine lubricant contains a special calcium sulfonate complex, a water-insoluble formula, which is very suitable for marine use and provides excellent corrosion protection under harsh conditions caused by salt, water, and air. High-temperature applications are used for wheel bearings (including disc brake wheel bearings), hinges, pins, winches, anchor chain drums, etc. Used for lubrication and corrosion protection.

NLGI grade 2.1 pounds (16 ounces) turquoise jar. Plews LubriMatic has been engaged in the development and sales of high-quality lubricants for more than 40 years. As part of the Plews Edelmann product line, LubriMatic serves the industrial, hardware, marine, automotive and agricultural markets as well as many industries that require professional lubricants and penetrants.

Red Line 80401 CV-2 Grease

Red Line 80401 CV-2 Grease

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  • PROS

    • Possesses a very high melting point

    • Excellent water washout resistance and superior antiwear

    • Excellent for high temperatures and extreme loads

  • CONS

    • A bit pricey compared to other high-quality brands

4.8

305 reviews

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Redline Oil 80401 CV-2 synthetic molybdenum grease, a 14-ounce can of Redline CV-2 synthetic grease is designed to withstand the extreme temperatures and pressures encountered in heavy-duty wheel bearings and trunnions. Its stability, extreme pressure protection, and water resistance make it even better than the best conventional or synthetic lubricants.

Redline CV-2 grease can be widely used in the temperature range of -100°F to 500°F and has good oxidation and corrosion resistance, low oil evaporation and separation, and has the least impact on the punch. It has a high melting point, excellent washing resistance, and excellent wear resistance, so it is very suitable for high temperatures and extreme loads. CV-2 contains organic molybdenum and is suitable for wheel bearings, angular and regular constant velocity joints, and chassis.

Valvoline Full Synthetic Grease

Valvoline Full Synthetic Grease

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  • PROS

    • Moly-fortified for increased film strength

    • Extreme pressure fortified

    • Inhibits rust and oxidation

  • CONS

    • Quality comes with a price

4.8

1,319 reviews

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Valvoline Synthetic Grease is designed to provide excellent protection at high and low temperatures. It is an excellent high-performance industrial grease suitable for high pressure and extreme pressure. It is formulated from lithium compounded with a base oil, high-quality synthetic oil, molybdenum, and other additives. It has excellent resistance to high loads and extreme temperatures.

Valvoline fully synthetic grease is an excellent general industrial and automotive grease designed for heavy-duty applications. It is formulated with a synthetic compound base oil, molybdenum, and other high-quality additives thickened lithium complex to provide excellent protection against high levels of stress. Extreme load and temperature (-40°F to 425°F).

WD-40 Specialist Extreme Pressure Grease

WD-40 Specialist Extreme Pressure Grease

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  • PROS

    • Outstanding surface protection against heavy load

    • Provides excellent corrosion protection

    • Able to resist melting up to 600 F

  • CONS

    • It may not be good in extremely hot weather

4.7

2,040 reviews

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WD-40 Lithium-based grease can provide excellent surface lubrication performance and prevent heavy load and wear. WD-40 professional extreme pressure grease can lubricate under extreme pressure conditions and provide surface protection against heavy loads and corrosion.

The solution has a drop point of 600°F and is suitable for a variety of applications including heavy industry, construction, agriculture, and automotive equipment, as well as marine trailers and similar wheel bearings.

Wheel bearing grease buying guide

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best wheel bearing lubricant, including:

  • Water-resistant
  • The important thing is that the lubricant you choose must be 100% waterproof. It must form a protective film on the wheel and prevent water from penetrating the surface. This protective film is produced when oil is used to make lubricants. The bearing has a longer service life and prevents corrosion and dust.

  • Types of wheel bearing greases
  • There are several forms of ionic grease, including calcium, white lithium-based, and lithium. Calcium-based grease has high water resistance but moderate heat resistance. Lithium-based grease is water-resistant but very resistant to extreme temperatures.

    On the other hand, white lithium-based grease is widely used and has water resistance and corrosion resistance. This type of grease is based on molybdenum disulfide. It is a very corrosion-resistant compound with a very high melting point. EP can withstand the extreme pressures implied by its name, making it ideal for objects with a sliding motion, including universal joints and ball joints.

  • Disc and drum bearing greases
  • The disc and drum bearing greases are very waterproof and can be used for disc and drum brakes. Has the ability to withstand very high temperatures. This high-pressure material is attributed to the high-speed operation of the brakes and wheels. This type of grease can be used well as the wheel bearing grease for SUVs and trucks. It is also ideal as a lubricant for other household tools.

  • Marine grease for wheel bearing
  • As the name suggests, marine wheel bearing grease is an ideal choice for marine equipment. The reason is that this type of grease is resistant to salt and water. It is a good lubricant for agricultural equipment and heavy metals, which helps sports. The wheel lubricant can also be used for kingpins, steering cables, winches, motorcycle chains, anchor chains, etc.

    This is another important feature to consider. Viscosity is a measure of the internal friction of a fluid that enables it to repel the flow. Different types of greases have different viscosities from 0 to 6.2 which are usually normal in most grease.

    7 common questions about bearing lubrication answered

    Industrial vehicle bearings are subjected to intensive use. As we already have in this Blog, they can last 1 million kilometers, but for this, it is essential to replace them correctly. One of the most important phases is lubrication or greasing, a step that thanks to FAG SmartSet maintenance solutions is not necessary to carry out. However, there are times when this operation is essential. For those cases, we answer the 7 key questions to lubricate wheel bearings correctly.

    Why is a lubricant needed?

    The main function of lubricating wheel bearings is to reduce friction and wear to a minimum, preventing or reducing metallic contact between the sliding and rolling surfaces.

    Grease is applied as a lubricant to approximately 90% of bearings. Special bearing greases such as Arcanol from FAG offer the best conditions for safe, long-lasting and economical bearings. Today, truck wheel bearings must withstand temperature spikes during braking of 200 ° C or even more. Therefore, using approved lubricants is necessary to deal with these conditions.

    Main advantages of applying the right grease to lubricate:

    Extends service life without maintenance

    Protects dust from entering the bearing

    Heat dissipation

    Protects the bearing against corrosion

    Assembly is simple

    What is the composition of grease?

    Different types of bearings need different lubricants with different additives. The performance of greases of the same type can vary greatly. Lubricating greases are distinguished mainly by their main components: thickeners and base oil. The most common thickeners are usually normal metal soaps, although complex soaps such as bentonite, polyureas, FEP (fluorinated ethylene-propylene), or PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene or ethylene: Teflon or Turcon) are also used. Mineral or synthetic oil is used as base oil.

    The viscosity of the base oil together with the proportion of thickener determines the consistency of the lubricating grease and the structure of the lubricating film. In addition, lubricating greases contain additional additives to improve chemical or physical properties, such as corrosion protection and oxidation stability.

    What requirements must the grease meet?

    In collaboration with the most prestigious lubricant manufacturers, Schaeffler has been developing high-quality lubricants for bearings for years. At first glance, specialty-bearing greases are more expensive. However, it is advisable to use special greases if you want to cope with the high demands of a bearing.

    FAG carries out numerous selection tests, carries out quality controls and, finally, produces practical recommendations on the lubricant. These recommendations help prevent early bearing failure due to the wrong grease selection.

    FAG’s Arcanol Load 150, Shell Retinax LX II, and Renolit LX-NHU 2 are especially recommended for wheel bearings in high-temperature conditions, such as in modern commercial vehicles. They are lithium complex greases suitable for use within a temperature range of -30 ° C to 160 ° C, with short peaks up to 200 ° C.

    By using special additives for high pressures, the requirements for a KP grease are met (KP grease = designation according to DIN 51502). Thanks to its high mechanical stability and low oil-grease separation, it can be used in lubrication points subject to high demands

    How is a wheel bearing lubricated?

    Before installation, it is necessary to grease the standard tapered roller bearings and Insert Units. For this, it is not only the amount of grease that is applied to the wheel bearing that is important but how it is applied.

    The grease is applied on one side of the bearing and pressed until it completely penetrates the other side, taking into account that this occurs throughout its diameter, as indicated in the images to the right. The excess grease is then removed and the outer parts of the bearing are protected with a thin film.

    Note: To avoid damage, the specified amount of grease (see manufacturer’s instructions) must be applied after mounting the wheel hub. If less than the recommended amount of grease is used, the wheel bearings may become very hot. If the amount is higher, excess grease can come off the wheel hub and penetrate the brake linings.

    What are the effects of pollutants?

    Solid contaminants:

    The presence of solid impurities in the lubricant causes premature wear and fatigue. The harder the lubricant applied and the smaller the bearing size, the shorter the life of this part.

    Especially at points with high sliding, solid impurities cause abrasive wear on the bearings. For example, this happens at the point of contact between the front side of the rollers in tapered roller bearings.

    Wear increases proportionally with the hardness of the impurities, their concentration in the lubricant, and the size of the particles.

    Early breakdowns can be avoided by taking the following precautions:

    A clean lubricant

    An effective seal

    Thorough cleaning of parts near the bearing

    A clean assembly

    Liquid contaminants:

    The harmful effect of liquid impurities in the lubricant is often largely underestimated. Even pure water without additional aggressive substances has a great risk of deterioration in the bearings.

    The risk of impairment is subdivided into the following categories:

    Reduction of the fatigue period

    Cause of wear

    Acceleration of lubricant aging and residue accumulation

    Corrosion

    The characteristics of the damage can occur individually or in combination and do not depend on the type of lubricant, the bearing material, or the amount of water that is introduced into the lubricant. They can prevent the bearings from fulfilling their function or damage them completely.

    Therefore, choosing the right lubricant and applying it correctly is decisive to guarantee the service life of the bearings. The lubricating oil must have the proper viscosity to be able to create the proper lubricating film on the contact surfaces between rolling elements and treads. The viscosity of a lubricating oil decreases as the temperature increases. Therefore, it is important that the viscosity is required for the operating temperature.

    How are wheel bearing greases stored?

    To store fats, it is essential to have a closed storage space where they are away from the influence of corrosive substances, such as vehicle exhaust gases. Direct sunlight should also be avoided.

    The storage temperature should be as stable and the air humidity as low as possible. Temperature fluctuations and increased air humidity cause condensation.

    The following conditions must be maintained:

    Frost-proof storage, with a minimum temperature of 5 ° C (safe frost prevention, a temperature of up to 2 ° C is allowed for 12 hours a day).

    Maximum temperature of 40 ° C.

    Relative air humidity less than 65% (with temperature fluctuations it is allowed to maintain it up to 70% for 12 h).

    What is faulty lubrication like and what damage can it cause?

    More than 50% of bearing damage is caused by faulty lubrication (see diagram). This not only affects the performance of the bearings but also causes damage to other components that, at first glance, does not appear to be caused by a failure with lubrication. Using an unsuitable or dirty lubricant or the wrong amount of grease can lead to early wheel bearing failure. Poor lubrication at the contact points can cause fatigue damage or even the bearing to overheat during operation. As a result, the wheel bearing suffers increased wear and can be damaged prematurely.

    Conclusion

    Each grease has its advantages and disadvantages, from standard, medium-quality multi-purpose greases to molybdenum drum/disc bearings. Some wheels have fully sealed bearings that require nozzle lubrication tools, while other wheels have certifications and classifications based on the type of lubricant.

    Among all the products listed above, our best choice is Lucas Oil10301 (B000IG20RW). It is reasonably priced, cheap, and reliable. This way, the wheels can be lubricated without spending a lot of money. It is also a high-performance grease that can withstand high pressures at maximum speeds and high temperatures. Because of its low price and versatile functions, this is our first choice.

    About the author

    Andrew Clark