Grease vs oil front hubs

[bevans6]

My MC-5C has the typical oil seal front hubs and I had one fail - the repair is proving costly so I am considering changing to grease.  What is involved other than greasing the bearings and putting them back in?  I have new SKF 40086 seals, Speedi sleeve to resurface the seal contact area, and the typical Stemco oil style hub caps.  Bearings were perfect so I am re-using them.

Thanks, Brian

[luvrbus]

Need to check the bearing numbers Brian most all oil type bearings will accept the grease and some won't I found that out the hard way 

good luck

[bevans6]

Good tip, thanks.

Brian

[chessie4905]

This subject is especially one I have commented on in several posts over the years on both boards concerning our conversions. Oil lubed wheel bearings aren't worth the mess from failure of seals. Maybe if we used them as much as otr trucks, they might be justified. Just consider the loss of braking with one rear brake with oil soaked shoes. It is quite a chore to clean up the resulting mess. BTDT.

[TomC]

Virtually all over the road trucks use oil bearings. When I bought my transit bus, I had the mechanic change the front bearings from grease to oil. That was 20 years ago (I can't believe I've had my bus 20 years!) and have never had a problem with any of the wheel ends.

Even if they do leak, new brake linings are not a bank breaker. You can typically have your shoes relined for around $100.00 and choose the linings you want (there are about 15 different lining materials). Yes it is a bit of a mess-but the lower rolling resistance and better cooling from oil compared to grease plus you can see when additional lubricant is needed with oil as compared to grease. Good Luck, TomC

[luvrbus]

Use a good synthetic gear oil and very seldom will the oil bath seals ever fail on a bus or truck

[akroyaleagle]

I use Lucas Hub Oil in my oilers.
Never had a problem in over 17 years and probably more miles than most.
I like the idea of being able to check just by a glance on every walk around.

I had trucks with oilers in 1970.
More than 40 years should prove something.

[luvrbus]

The Timken Bearing guy told me a greased hub will run hotter than a oil hub true or not I never checked his theory was think of grease as a time delayed oil if not melting no lube that was the point he was stressing to my shop guy about using the real hi temp grease in wheel bearings after a rash of failed wheel bearing we had. 

We changed everything to the oil hubs we never had condensation problem either as I have read here and the other boards

[bevans6]

Thanks, I've decided to take the advice and stick with oil.  The failure was the seal housing rusted out - it was it there a long time.

Brian

[sledhead]

This is what I use , will do all 4 wheels  and ctc put them on sale every other month    dave




http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/3/AutoFluidsChemicals/GearSmallEngineOils/PRDOVR~0280248P/Motomaster+5+L+Synthetic+Gear+Oil+Jug.jsp?locale=en

[belfert]

There are lots of pros and cons on greased versus oiled bearings.  Some people say an oiled bearing doesn't like long periods of sitting and some say there are no issues with that.  My Dina has greased hubs, but I have seen other Dinas and they have oil.  I had a greased wheel bearing fail last year that had all new bearings and races 30,000 miles prior.  Dina recommends repacking every 100,000 miles.

[bevans6]

I'll just use engine oil, since that's what's called for in the manual.  Gear oil has extreme pressure additives for the sliding gears in a hypoid rear end, not needed in plain bearings but it doesn't hurt either.

Brian

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Brian,  if you use the Lucas hub oil it will leave a film on everything so it will not rust if sitting for long periods of time.

[wg4t50]

Greyhound used #30 engne oil in front wheel bearings, I first used #40 in the MC7, but wound up with the Lucas Hub Oil, end of problem, issues, mess etc, so what is all the hub bub??
Looks like opinions are the issue not the facts. ??
Dave M

[luvrbus]

Funny how different manufactures can have a different spec for the same bearings and seal my Eagle used 75-80w in the boogies and front axle hubs even that was different on some models of Eagle,

I have a friend that swears by Dexron he runs it on all of his buses on the front and tags he has been doing it for years without a failure I know of