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Requirements of wheel bearing greases

The Schaeffler Group has been developing high-quality rolling bearing lubricants in co-operation with renowned lubricant manufacturers for a long time. At first glance, special rolling bearing greases cost a bit more. However, if you want to accommodate the high requirements placed on a rolling bearing, you need to use special greases.

FAG not only conducts numerous selection tests, but also handles quality assurance and then provides practical lubrication recommendations. If these recommendations are heeded, bearings failing prematurely due to the incorrect choice of grease will increasingly become a thing of the past.

Arcanol Load 150 from FAG, Shell Retinax LX II and Renolit LX-NHU 2 are specifically recommended for use in wheel bearings under the high temperature conditions that occur in modern commercial vehicles. These are lithium complex greases designed for a temperature range of -30° C to 160° C with short-term peak temperatures of up to 200° C.

In order to qualify as a KP grease, special high-pressure additives must be used (KP grease = designation according to DIN 51502). The high mechanical stability combined with low oil separation enables use at high-stress lubrication points.

How do I grease a wheel bearing?

Standard tapered roller bearings and insert units must be filled with grease before installation. In these cases, it is not only the quantity that matters; in fact the correct procedure when greasing a wheel bearing is more important.

The grease must be completely pushed from one side of the bearing through to the other side and all around (see images on the right). The excess grease is then removed and the outside of the bearing is coated with a thin film.

Note: To avoid damage, the prescribed quantity of grease (see manufacturer’s specifications) must be within the wheel hub after installation. Insufficient grease can lead to hot-running wheel bearings. If the quantity of grease is exceeded, the excess grease can escape from the wheel hub and get onto the brake pads.

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Published on: April 15, 2022

Filled Under: Technical Articles

Web site: http://www.RepXpert.co.uk

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