Top 10 Best Wheel Bearing Greases 2024

1. Lucas Oil Heavy Duty Grease

Some lower-grade greases tend to leak especially during high temperatures, but the Lucas Oil heavy-duty grease will keep its viscosity. It’s the ideal grease to use on high-performance cars because of its heavy-duty additive package.

Key Product Features

The Lucas oil heavy duty grease is a waterproof product and it’s the ideal lubricant for high-speed bearings.

This grease has a certification of GC-LB so it can be used to lubricate chassis as well as bearings. Lucas Oil heavy duty grease is an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) product that increases the durability of metal and creates an added layer of protection against oxidization.

There are additives inside the Lucas Oil heavy-duty grease that prevents copper corrosion which is ideal if you live on the coast in a humid saltwater environment.

The Lucas Oil heavy-duty grease contains Polyurea thickener and the lubricant has a smooth consistency with no abrasiveness. This makes the grease easy to apply to any surface.

Lucas Oil heavy-duty grease comes packaged in a cylindrical container that fits well in most standard grease guns.

What’s the Viscosity?

Lucas Oil’s grease is NLGI approved with a viscosity index of 99 which means it has a thick consistency that won’t leak in high temperatures.

Other Uses for this Grease

This grease is a multipurpose product that is used to maintain heavy-duty trucks, farm equipment and construction machinery.

2. Lucas Oil Marine Wheel Bearing Grease

Marine-grade grease means that it’s a waterproof product that protects your application from salt and fresh water damage. It has minimal washout and can be used on high-performance automobiles & equipment.

Key Product Features

The Lucas Oil marine grease is specifically designed for boats and high-performance vehicles that drive through muddy and damp terrain. This grease has a thick consistency with polymer, anti-wear agents and additives that prevent oxidization.

Lucas Oil Marine grease is loaded with over based calcium sulfonate to prevent the lubricant from running or washing out. The Lucas Oil marine grease can withstand high and low temperatures. It has extreme pressure properties making this product an excellent heavy-duty lubricant.

This marine grease is NLGI approved with a grade of #2 which means it has a thick smooth texture that acts as an added layer of protection on wheel bearings and other metal parts. It also has a GC-LB certification so it can be used to lubricate chassis and wheel bearings.

Lucas Oil marine grease reduces extreme friction so it can be used on race cars as well as off-road bikes.

What’s the Viscosity?

The Lucas Oil marine grade grease has a viscosity index of 95 with a low-temperature torque of -40°C. It’s a tacky grease that’s easy to spread and it will keep its consistency even in extreme conditions.

Other Uses for this Grease

Since the Lucas Oil marine grade grease is a multipurpose product it can be used to lubricate garden equipment such as lawnmowers. It’s also an ideal grease to use on construction equipment to lubricate hydraulic machinery.

It’s typically used for boats to protect metal fixtures from water damage. But you can also use this grease for arts and craft projects & to maintain fixtures around the house.

3. Valvoline SynPower Wheel Bearing Grease

This heavy-duty grease has a moly-fortified complex to protect and strengthen your wheel bearings in all temperatures & weather conditions.

Key Product Features

The Valvoline SynPower grease is a multipurpose lubricant that can be used for automotive maintenance, industrial and home use. This grease has a thick and smooth texture with a lithium complex inside the additive package that ensures anti-wear & anti-corrosion of metal parts.

Valvoline SynPower grease can withstand extreme temperatures of -40°F and 425°F. It can also withstand extreme pressure which means it’s suitable for high-performance vehicles.

The Valvoline SynPower grease is NLGI tested and approved with a grade of #2 to ensure a premium grease that won’t leak or washout. This grease is also GC-LB certified so you can use it to lubricate your vehicle’s chassis as well as your wheel bearings.

What’s the Viscosity?

Valvoline has a viscosity index of 135 which is higher than most heavy-duty greases. This means that the grease will hold its consistency and won’t leak even under high pressure & temperatures.

It’s a thick non-abrasive lubricant that adds a layer of protection onto your wheel bearings to prevent wear.

Other Uses for this Grease

This multipurpose grease can be used to maintain garden equipment, construction machinery, automotive parts and motorbikes. Valvoline SynPower is also suitable to use on bicycles as it’s a long-lasting product that will protect parts from dust-related corrosion and oxidization.

4. Mag1 720 Wheel Bearing Grease

This lithium complex grease has a smooth consistency that’s easy to spread onto a surface and ideal to protect metal from corrosion & wear. Mag1 grease has minimal washout and can withstand high temperatures.

Key Product Features

Mag1 grease comes in a large 16oz tub to make it easy for you to scoop out the required amount of product to lubricate your wheel bearings. The same product can be purchased in cartridge form so you can install it into a grease gun.

The Mag1 contains an additive package that protects metal from oxidization and extreme friction. It has a thick smooth consistency that will also trap contaminants from entering and seizing your wheel bearings.

Mag1 has an operating temperature of -40°F and 325°F with an NLGI grade of #2. This grease also contains copper corrosion prevention so it’s suitable for saltwater environments. It’s extremely water-resistant so it will protect your wheel bearings from water damage.

What’s the Viscosity?

The viscosity index of the Mag1 grease is 265 which makes this a heavy-duty grease that will keep its thickness during high or low temperatures.

Other Uses for this Grease

Mag1 grease is a multipurpose product that can be used in the automotive industry, and to maintain construction equipment. It’s also ideal to use as an alternative lubricant in your household to prevent door hinge squeaking and door handle seizing.

This grease is waterproof which makes it ideal to maintain bicycle parts as well as off-road motorbikes.

5. Royal Purple Synthetic Bearing Grease

Royal purple comes in a cylindrical container that fits into standard grease guns to help you apply the product in small spaces easily.

Key Product Features

The Royal Purple synthetic wheel bearing grease is packaged to make it easier for you to apply the product to your application. It comes with its own pause and lock plunger to prevent the product from spilling out of the sides when you use it.

Royal Purple synthetic grease is made with an aluminum complex with non-corrosive additives that restores the life of your bearings and adds a layer of protection against rust. It’s also highly water-resistant with minimal washout so your bearings will never seize up.

The thick consistency of the Royal Purple grease has extreme pressure capabilities so it can be used to maintain high-performance bearings and reduce temperatures.

This grease is NLGI tested and approved with a grade #2 which means it will keep its consistency in extreme environments to ensure smoother & quieter wheel bearing performance.

What’s the Viscosity?

Royal Purple grease has a viscosity of 150 which means it will keep its thickness and won’t leak during high temperatures.

Other Uses for this Grease

The Royal Purple grease can be used to maintain construction equipment particularly hydraulic machines. It’s also used to prevent rust on bicycles and go-kart parts. You can use the Royal Purple grease around the home to lubricate and clean tools as well as door hinges & shower rollers.

6. Star Brite Wheel Bearing Grease

The Star Brite grease has a premium additive package that prevents corrosion and wear even under extreme temperatures & weather conditions.

Key Product Features

Star Brite is a marine-grade grease which means it adds a layer of protection to prevent corrosion in salt and fresh water environments. It has no washout and will protect your wheel bearings from oxidization & high-performance temperatures.

This grease effectively lubricates your bearings to ensure they run smoothly with no sound. Star Brite has a long-lasting thick consistency that reduces maintenance intervals. The grease is temperature resistant which means it won’t leak out of your bearings.

Star Brite comes in a long cylindrical cartridge that fits into any standard grease gun to make it easy to apply the product to your application.

This grease has been tested and approved by the NLGI with a #2 grading. It’s also GC-LB approved so you can lubricate your vehicle’s chassis as well as your wheel bearings.

What’s the Viscosity?

The viscosity index for Star Brite grease is 205 with a temperature range of 104°F.

Other Uses for this Grease

Star Brite is typically used to lubricate wheel bearings in automobiles and trailers but you can also use this product on pumps, winches & hatch hinges. It’s suitable to use the Star Brite grease on motorbike parts, power tools and garden equipment.

7. Timken GR224C Heavy Duty Grease

Timken heavy duty grease is specially formulated to optimize your wheel bearings performance and reduce maintenance intervals as it’s a long-lasting lubricant.

Key Product Features

The Timken grease is a multipurpose heavy duty lubricant that has minimal washout and a lithium complex thickener. This grease can be used in high-performance vehicles as it can withstand extreme temperatures and pressure.

Timken is easy to apply as it’s a smooth grease with no abrasive properties. This heavy-duty grease is also a drum and disc lubricant to ensure that all your wheel components run well for ultimate car performance.

The Timken heavy duty grease is NLGI tested and approved with a #2 grading. Its GC-LB certified so it can lubricate and protect your vehicle’s chassis & wheel bearings. Timken grease has an operating temperature of -40°F – 250°F which means it will keep its thickness in any weather conditions.

What’s the Viscosity?

Timken heavy-duty grease has a viscosity index of 96 with a lithium calcium soap thickener.

Other Uses for this Grease

The Timken formula is designed to protect bearings on all types of car models but it can also be used to lubricate power tools, firearms and construction machinery.

8. Sta Lube Marine Wheel Bearing Grease

Each container has additives that protect your wheel bearings from wear and corrosion. The marine-grade grease will add a layer of protection onto your wheel bearings to prevent salt and freshwater damage.

Key Product Features

The Sta-Lube comes in a 14oz container to make it easy to scoop the required amount of product out of the tub. To make it easier for you to apply Sta-Lube you can purchase a cartridge that fits into a grease gun.

It’s a tacky blue grease that can be easily packed into your wheel bearings as it has a smooth consistency. Sta-Lube works under extreme temperature conditions of 450°F so it will keep its thickness as it’s made with an aluminum complex.

Sta Lube has been tested and approved by NLGI with a #2 grading. It has anti-rust additives and polymer adhesives to protect your wheel bearings & extend the life of your application.

What’s the Viscosity?

The product is a grade #2 grease, which means it has a premium viscosity and the product won’t leak in high temperatures.

Other Uses for this Grease

The Sta Lube can be used in households to lubricate taps, shower rollers, sliding doors and handles. It’s also ideal to use on boats and off-road bikes as it’s extremely water-resistant and protects any application from contaminants.

9. Lubrimatic Aqua Marine Wheel Bearing Grease

Lubrimatic Aqua grease is a marine-grade multipurpose product that protects metal and rubber in salt & freshwater environments.

Key Product Features

The Lubrimatic Aqua product comes in a cylinder container to make it easier for you to load it into a grease gun. These small cartridges allow you to apply the lubricant into confined spaces.

Each bottle of Lubrimatic contains calcium sulfonate formula that prevents bearing oxidization and wear. It extends the life of your bearings and decreases the maintenance intervals as it has a thick consistency that won’t run even in high temperatures.

This grease is an NLGI approved product with a #2 grade and a drop point of 550°F.

Lubrimatic Aqua cartridges are compact so they can be stored in small bags to make it easy to travel with.

What’s the Viscosity?

The viscosity of this wheel bearing grease is 198.

Other Uses for this Grease

The Lubrimatic Aqua marine grease is highly water-resistant and it’s an extreme pressure lubricant so it can be used to maintain race car bearings as well as off-road bike parts. It’s also ideal for boats and construction machines.

10. CRC SL3184 Marine Grease

CRC marine grease is also a multipurpose product that can be used to lubricate and protect various applications from corrosion & contaminants

Key Product Features

The CRC marine grade grease is designed to protect bearings from corrosion in salt and freshwater environments. The product has a thick consistency with an additive package containing aluminum complex and highly refined oils to reduce friction.

It’s a non-flammable product that has been NLGI approved with a #2 grading. The CRC marine-grade formula contains polymer to prevent washout and adhesives to extend the life of your bearings & reduce maintenance intervals.

What’s the Viscosity?

The viscosity index of the CRC marine grease is 180.

Other Uses for this Grease

CRC marine grade grease is a multipurpose product that’s suitable to use for boats, motorbikes, bicycles, construction machinery and high-performance vehicles.

Guide to Buying the Best Wheel Bearing Grease

What are Wheel Bearings?

Wheel bearings are steel balls held together by a metal ring called a race. These devices help your wheels spin faster but with less friction. Wheel bearings are used on various types of applications such as motorbikes, bicycles, aircrafts and automobiles.

On a car, wheel bearings ride on a metal axle and fit tightly inside a hub which is a hollowed-out piece of metal in the center of a wheel. This hub holds the lug bolts that you use to secure a tire onto a wheel and the bearing is pressed into the hub from the back of the application.

Why do Wheel Bearings have to be Greased?

Greasing your wheel bearings protects them from wear and effectively lubricates them to reduce friction. Some wheel bearings are sealed and don’t require manual greasing but other car models will need regular maintenance.

The maintenance intervals will depend on the type of car you have, wheel size and average vehicle capacity. But it’s recommended that you grease your wheel bearings every 10,000 miles.

What to Consider Before Purchasing Wheel Bearing Grease?

Is it Temperature Tolerant?

A premium wheel bearing grease will be able to withstand any temperatures. It shouldn’t leak in high temperatures and it should never freeze during low temperatures. You’ll be able to see the temperature rating of your grease on the packaging.

If you’re using the grease on an application that reaches beyond the stated temperature range it will lose structure and it won’t work effectively. So always pick a wheel bearing grease that is designed for the temperatures of your application to avoid grease leaking out of the bearings.

Water Resistance

High-performance vehicles that drive through water regularly will need water-resistant grease to protect the wheel bearings from oxidization. Cars that are exposed to moisture particularly on the coast or in regions that experience high rain will also need water-resistant grease.

Marine-grade greases are heavy-duty lubricants that are designed to protect wheel bearings in damp environments. It provides a layer of protection on the bearings that won’t wash off.

Viscosity

The viscosity of the wheel bearing grease is the most important aspect to consider when buying a lubricant. There is a wide range of greases with various levels of thickness and viscosity. The grease should keep its thickness according to the temperature rating of the product.

As mentioned before during low and high temperatures it can affect the consistency of the grease. That’s why some products contain additives to prevent the grease from losing its viscosity.

Grease will be rated between zero and six. If grease is rated between zero and one it will have a thin or runny consistency. Grease with a rating between two and six will have a thick buttery consistency that is ideal for wheel bearing lubrication.

Pressure Tolerance

Grease must be able to withstand the high pressures that wheels produce. A manufacturer will state the pressure limit of the grease on the packaging.

What is the NLGI Number?

The consistency levels are tested by the NLGI (National Lubricant Grease Institute) so it’s important that you see this grading on your packaging. The NLGI certification will indicate that your product has been extensively tested and approved for wheel bearing use.

Why Copper Based Grease Isn’t Recommended?

Copper is used as an anti-seize and it’s not intended to be used as a lubricant. This type of grease is made with fine copper particles, anti-oxidization and anti-corrosion additives.

But when copper comes into contact with aluminum in salty environments a reaction takes place called galvanic corrosion. This reaction causes one of the metals to corrode in saltwater which will destroy your wheel bearings.

What Certification Does the Grease Have?

There are three types of certification for grease: LB, GC and GC-LB.

If the grease shows a GC certification it will indicate that the product is suitable for disc brake wheel bearings. The LB rating is ideal for chassis lubrication and maintenance. The GC-LB rating shows that the grease can be used for both chassis and wheel bearings.

How to Lubricate your Wheel Bearings

Step 1

Park your car on a flat surface and use a jack to lift your vehicle up so you can remove your tire from the axle.

Step 2

The hub will be exposed and the wheel bearing is situated behind a dust cap in the center of the hub. To remove the dust cap simply use a flat tip screwdriver to pop it off.

Step 3

When you’ve removed the dust cap you’ll see a pin holding a nut in place. Use a pair of pliers to pull the pin out and then loosen the nut by turning it anti-clockwise.

Step 4

You’ll now be able to see the bearing. Pull the bearing out and then place the nut back onto the axle. It will be used to remove the rear seal of the bearing. Once the nut is back in place, pull your drum forward so that the nut catches the rear seal to remove it.

Step 5

Use a white spirit to thoroughly clean the old grease off of your wheel bearings. Use a soft cloth to remove grease that’s stuck in between the mechanisms.

Step 6

Take out your wheel bearing grease and scoop a large amount into the palm of your hand. Now push the sides of the bearing into the grease until the lubricant pushes through all the mechanisms or lacings of the bearing.

Step 7

Pushing the grease through the bearing laces will also flush out some of the old grease that you may not have been able to clean out. Another way to pack grease is by using a machine or gun but doing this by hand is the best way to thoroughly grease your bearings.

Step 8

Now that you’ve greased your bearings you’ll need to reinstall the mechanisms. The inner bearing will be placed in the rear of the hub with the application’s seal. Place a small amount of grease in the center of the hub where you’ll be reinstalling your bearing.

Step 9

Place your bearing into the center hole of the hub and put the seal on top. Use a small hammer to hit the seal gently into place. Don’t hit it too hard because you don’t want to bend the seal.

Step 10

Now place your hub back on to the axle with the drum and then grease the center hole & slide your bearing into the cavity. Ensure that the drum is all the way back when you do this and then spin the drum three to four times.

Step 11

Take your thrust plate and push it onto its notch on the axle & then reinstall the nut to hold the parts in place. Use your pliers to tighten the nut more and then slot your pin into its notch. You can now reinstall your tire.

What Happens if You don’t Grease Wheel Bearings?

If you don’t maintain your wheel bearings regularly you could experience unpleasant clanking noises at first. In some severe cases, the wheel bearings will stop running smoothly and they will seize up causing the wheel and tire attached to the hub to snap off the spindle.

Water damage such as oxidization could wear out the metal and lead to rotary resistance of the wheels. Any wear or damage to the wheel bearings can cause numerous types of noises depending on the severity of the wear such as squeaking, clanking and grinding.

It’s important to check your owner’s manual to see when you should grease your wheel bearings to prevent friction-induced failure. You can also do a test to check if it’s time to repack your wheel bearings with grease.

Perform a test to feel for access play or drag when your car is jacked up in the air. Simply manually rotate your wheel to feel for any resistance. It should rotate freely with a slight drag. If you feel it stick and you hear grinding noises it might indicate that the bearings are damaged & need replacing.

But sometimes all it needs is to be repacked with grease. All you have to do is follow our easy grease repacking steps to maintain your bearings.

Final Words

Changing your wheel bearing grease is effortless so you can do it at home without professional help. It’s as easy as changing a tire and all you need is a premium wheel bearing grease.

We recommend you use the Lucas Oil marine wheel bearing grease. It’s a heavy-duty product that works well for both cars and boats. This grease is marine-grade lubricant which means it’s capable of protecting your wheel bearings in the harshest of water environments as it has a minimal washout.

The Lucas Oil marine grease has a viscosity index of 95 with a quality additive package. This means the grease will hold its thickness in high and low temperatures.

If you want to minimize the maintenance intervals of your wheel bearings Lucas Oil marine grade grease could be the product you’re looking for as it’s long-lasting.

So did you find a wheel bearing grease suitable for your application? Let us know which product you think is the best by leaving us a comment below. We would be happy to hear about your experience with our top 10 wheel bearing grease products.

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