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Old 05-08-2017, 02:36 PM   #1
Art Newland
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Default rear wheel bearing grease

Finally making some progress getting my brakes put together, ready to put the bearings and seals in the rear hubs. Randy Gross recommends this grease for the rear (only) wheel bearings. Says that it's much less likely to get past the seal and on to all the new brake goodies. Any opinions? (silly question)
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Old 05-08-2017, 02:45 PM   #2
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

i dont see why not, like oils - anything nowadays is better than 80 years ago.

I used mystic JT6 red stringly clingy stuff, the AA rear wheel bearings take just about a 1lb can each...
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Old 05-08-2017, 02:51 PM   #3
Art Newland
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

Apparently grease like JT6 is for tapered bearings. Are AA rear wheel bearings like A?
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Old 05-08-2017, 02:53 PM   #4
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

The Sta-Lube drum brake grease is what I use on my rear wheel bearings on my 1931 slant Town Sedan.
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Old 05-08-2017, 03:05 PM   #5
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

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Originally Posted by Art Newland View Post
Apparently grease like JT6 is for tapered bearings. Are AA rear wheel bearings like A?
Yes, just bigger.

Bob
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Old 05-08-2017, 04:48 PM   #6
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

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The Staylube is a fibrous grease and works well with straight roller bearings. Supposedly the fibers get pulled under the rollers.

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Old 05-08-2017, 05:09 PM   #7
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

What John in Illinois says mirrors what I have heard from many others. The old long-fiber greases hold up better in the rear wheel bearings than the newer high temp greases that are designed for close tolerance needle or tapered bearings. Several of the flathead V-8 guys that drive a lot of highway miles found this out the hard way.
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Old 05-08-2017, 07:25 PM   #8
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

Please tell me where I can buy "Sta-Lube heavy duty brake drum grease"?
I want this precise product.
I find many similar products on sites like Amazon, but I want the correct product for my rear wheel bearings, but cannot find that green can pictured in the first entry on this subject. (I don't want to make the mistake of using Mobil One grease again - it ruined one of my rear wheel bearing races, and it was a long and painful process to take apart the rear differential "trumpet assembly" and get a replacement race pressed on.)
Thanks.
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Old 05-08-2017, 08:24 PM   #9
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

The CRC / StaLube part number for this grease is SL3131
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Old 05-08-2017, 09:12 PM   #10
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

A lot of interesting back references to the Model A can be found in the 1932 Service Bulletins ie; long fiber wheel bearing grease and the use of SAE 140 wt. gear oil in both the trans & rear end.

Sta-Lube SAE 140 GL-4 #SL24238
"Not corrosive to copper, bronze or other non-ferrous alloy bearings & bushings" as found in Model A transmissions.

140 wt. is easier to shift during cooler, early winter and spring driving.

No, I don't own stock in the company but I've had good results from their products. Just sharing.

JB
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Old 05-08-2017, 10:09 PM   #11
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pat Martone View Post
Please tell me where I can buy "Sta-Lube heavy duty brake drum grease"?
I want this precise product.
I find many similar products on sites like Amazon, but I want the correct product for my rear wheel bearings, but cannot find that green can pictured in the first entry on this subject. (I don't want to make the mistake of using Mobil One grease again - it ruined one of my rear wheel bearing races, and it was a long and painful process to take apart the rear differential "trumpet assembly" and get a replacement race pressed on.)
Thanks.
I bought mine right from Randy Gross when he rebuilt my backing-plates. I suppose he would sell you some.

Mel & Randy Gross
E-mail [email protected] or call at (714) 292-8660 / (323) 728-5712 for more info.
Thanks Mel & Randy Gross
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Old 05-08-2017, 10:11 PM   #12
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

Looks like NAPA sells it.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/SLCSL3131
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Old 05-08-2017, 11:46 PM   #13
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

Always wondered about that fibrous stuff in wheel bearing grease.

So it is just the grease clinging together?

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb...7/#post1029867
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Old 05-09-2017, 09:11 AM   #14
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mel Gross View Post
The CRC / StaLube part number for this grease is SL3131
Does Pep Boys carry this grease? I don't usually shop anywhere else.
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Old 05-09-2017, 09:21 AM   #15
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

This grease is NOT available at Advance, Auto Zone, O'Reilly's, Pep Boys.

As mentioned above, it is available at NAPA. I have to go to the NAPA store in Los Angeles to buy it as some of the smaller NAPA locations don't stock it. It is a hit and miss with them.
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Old 05-09-2017, 10:04 AM   #16
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

I bought it at Amazon...
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Old 05-09-2017, 10:16 AM   #17
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

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Originally Posted by krzewinskibe View Post
I bought it at Amazon...
Yeah, you can buy it in a 35# tub...
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Old 05-09-2017, 10:25 AM   #18
Art Newland
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

I lubed up one of the rear bearings yesterday... this stuff is thick! You have to work at it to get it down in the rollers. One of these little cans should be life time supply for one car, probably many cars for the amount they get driven.
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Old 05-09-2017, 10:31 AM   #19
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

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Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead View Post
Yeah, you can buy it in a 35# tub...
??? 14 oz. same as the picture at the top post
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Old 05-09-2017, 03:43 PM   #20
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

Thank you to all who have answered my questions!
I've ordered it from NAPA.
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Old 05-09-2017, 04:58 PM   #21
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

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Originally Posted by krzewinskibe View Post
??? 14 oz. same as the picture at the top post
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Old 05-10-2017, 06:11 AM   #22
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

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wow...but they offer the normal size too
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Old 05-10-2017, 09:50 AM   #23
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

Local NAPA didn't have it in stock, but ordered it for a two day delivery to the store for $6.49
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Old 05-10-2017, 10:54 AM   #24
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mel Gross View Post
This grease is NOT available at Advance, Auto Zone, O'Reilly's, Pep Boys.

As mentioned above, it is available at NAPA. I have to go to the NAPA store in Los Angeles to buy it as some of the smaller NAPA locations don't stock it. It is a hit and miss with them.
You do know that suggesting anywhere else but Pep Boys is sheer blasphemy
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Old 05-10-2017, 11:50 PM   #25
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

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Originally Posted by Art Newland View Post
Finally making some progress getting my brakes put together, ready to put the bearings and seals in the rear hubs. Randy Gross recommends this grease for the rear (only) wheel bearings. Says that it's much less likely to get past the seal and on to all the new brake goodies. Any opinions? (silly question)
you think you'll have that buggy ready for Saturday's Lunch in the Middle? Benny
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Old 05-11-2017, 06:23 PM   #26
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pat Martone View Post
Please tell me where I can buy "Sta-Lube heavy duty brake drum grease"?
I want this precise product.
I find many similar products on sites like Amazon, but I want the correct product for my rear wheel bearings, but cannot find that green can pictured in the first entry on this subject. (I don't want to make the mistake of using Mobil One grease again - it ruined one of my rear wheel bearing races, and it was a long and painful process to take apart the rear differential "trumpet assembly" and get a replacement race pressed on.)
Thanks.
Did you try Googling the item?
Maybe five suppliers popped up fpr around $5 a Green Can.
Here is one.
https://www.finditparts.com/products...FcWFswod0N8HsA
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Old 04-29-2020, 07:57 AM   #27
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

Talking about rear differential grease, when you lube with a grease gun,the fitting outboard below the brake backing plate, what is the purpose of it? I lubed it with the hub off and grease came out of the axel housing between the axel and the housing. Is it designed to get grease in the hub roller bearing area when I install the hub?

Last edited by Flyboy1st; 04-29-2020 at 08:14 AM.
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Old 04-29-2020, 09:47 AM   #28
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

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Originally Posted by Flyboy1st View Post
Talking about rear differential grease, when you lube with a grease gun,the fitting outboard below the brake backing plate, what is the purpose of it? I lubed it with the hub off and grease came out of the axel housing between the axel and the housing. Is it designed to get grease in the hub roller bearing area when I install the hub?



Thats why its there. Most folks don't use it and just pack the bearings once in awhile.
Once that fitting is cleaned out I don't have a problem using it. A couple squeezes once in awhile won't hurt anything.
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Old 04-29-2020, 04:00 PM   #29
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

As for that grease fitting behind the backing plate......unless you completely clean out the old solid grease from the passage way from it to the bearing, Don't use it !


As mentioned, once a year I'd give that fitting a shot.....now with the rear disassembled I found where it went. Not to the wheel bearing but since it couldn't get there, it went passed the seal. Must have been a tube of grease the length of both axles !


O' What an un-enjoyable mess to remove. (And now you don't have to !)


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Old 04-29-2020, 04:41 PM   #30
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

If Randy says use it - take it for Gospel!! He knows what he is doing and is a GREAT guy!
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Old 04-29-2020, 04:53 PM   #31
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

It took Ford years to get rid of those grease fittings but they eventually deleted them for Banjo axles. They have always been ineffective for the rear wheel bearings and end up greasing the brake shoes more than anything.

Don't be afraid to start a new thread. This one has been around a while.
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Old 04-29-2020, 05:05 PM   #32
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

Quote:
Originally Posted by Art Newland View Post
Randy Gross recommends this grease for the rear (only) wheel bearings.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CountrySquire55 View Post
The Sta-Lube drum brake grease is what I use on my rear wheel bearings on my 1931 slant Town Sedan.
Why is this Sta-Lube Drum Brake grease recommended for the rear bearings only?
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Old 04-29-2020, 06:02 PM   #33
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

The shape of the two are different is what I understood? It stays on the flat roller better than a tapered one?

Does anyone know what the fiber is made of?
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Old 04-29-2020, 11:19 PM   #34
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

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The shape of the two are different is what I understood? It stays on the flat roller better than a tapered one?

Does anyone know what the fiber is made of?
I hear what your saying that the bearings are different but on the can it says "Drum Brake Grease". It does not specify for flat roller only, ball bearing or tapered bearing... just drum brakes.

Anyway, I have used it for a long time on front and back with no ill affects.
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Old 04-30-2020, 12:56 AM   #35
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mel Gross View Post
This grease is NOT available at Advance, Auto Zone, O'Reilly's, Pep Boys.

As mentioned above, it is available at NAPA. I have to go to the NAPA store in Los Angeles to buy it as some of the smaller NAPA locations don't stock it. It is a hit and miss with them.
Online orders ship free to your local store if they don't stock it normally.
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Old 04-30-2020, 01:06 AM   #36
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

Does anyone have an opinion on Lucas Xtra heavy duty wheel bearing grease? It’s the green stuff. Not fibrous.

I’ve been using that with seemingly no I’ll effect, but I don’t drive cross country (or even cross state).
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Old 04-30-2020, 09:30 AM   #37
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

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Originally Posted by Johnny Nitro View Post
Does anyone have an opinion on Lucas Xtra heavy duty wheel bearing grease? It’s the green stuff. Not fibrous.

I’ve been using that with seemingly no I’ll effect, but I don’t drive cross country (or even cross state).
I think any modern wheel bearing grease will work just fine as long as the bearing is packed with grease.

I believe this "for rear wheels only" in a Model A stuff is BS.
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Old 04-30-2020, 09:32 AM   #38
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

Greases are oils thickened with soaps of one type or another. Sodium fiber is the old standard for fibrous grease soaps but aluminum soap is the most fibrous type. Stay-Lube's data sheet lists it as a sodium short fiber based grease. Soda soap is good stuff. That's why it's still around after more than 100 years of use.

Last edited by rotorwrench; 04-30-2020 at 09:43 AM.
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Old 04-30-2020, 01:49 PM   #39
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

Drum brakes don't get nearly as hot as disc brakes. Most likely it is labeled DRUM BRAKE because it would get thin as water with the heat of disc brakes and leak past seals that are meant to keep dirt out not grease in.
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Old 04-30-2020, 02:12 PM   #40
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Default Re: rear wheel bearing grease

Stay-Lube (CRC) makes a high temp disk brake wheel bearing grease too but it's an aluminum complex grease. It can work up to 325 degrees F. The drum brake type has a high point working temp up to 250 degrees F.

It 's a bit of a trade off between sodium based soaps and aluminum based soaps. Sodium has a bit better anti wear capability than aluminum based so they add moly and graphite to the disk stuff. The price is likely a bit higher on the drum type brake stuff due to the lack of drum type brakes that are in use these days. Almost everything has gone to disk brakes.
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