trailer bearing grease

B

brooks&judy

New member
Anybody know if marine bearing grease comes in black? A friend is loaning me his motorcycle trailer for a 2,000 mile trip. He says it has marine grease in its bearings, and the Bearing Buddies indicate it needs more grease. I've never seen black marine grease, but then I've not seen a lot of things, for which I'm often thankful but this time isn't one of`em. Having been told Never Ever mix types of grease, I don't want to pump blue marine grease in with the black-grease if I'm going to ruin something.

What say ye who know?

Thanks,
Brooks
 
I've never seen black marine grease, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I think I'd let your buddy know it appears to need more grease, and then let him take care of it. Otherwise, without knowing what grease has been used, it might be best to pull the hubs, clean them out, and then start over with fresh grease. OTOH, I'm sure folks have mixed and mingled greases before. But if they don't play nice together, you may end up with separation of the greases.
 
brooks&judy":3vd8g819 said:
I've never seen black marine grease, but then I've not seen a lot of things, for which I'm often thankful but this time isn't one of`em.
Click to expand...

LOL.


I've seen "blackened" grease after it got too hot. Could it be that? Does it smell burnt?

Since you have a C-Dory this may all be old hat to you (but then lots of trailers have other bearing lube systems...) So, are you sure it needs more grease? Reason I ask is that I've seen people think they need to be filled "all the way out," but actually there should just be enough grease to slightly lift the plate (so if you press on it, it kind of just tilts on the grease behind it). They shouldn't be filled until the plate comes to the outer position. That is overfilled and can "blow" grease out the inner seal.

Colby's idea to ask the owner to check them isn't a bad idea either, but maybe there's a reason it's not practical.
 
Mobile Mobilgrease XHP 222 Special is dark grey/black. This is a very high quality grease, but I would check with the owner, before mixing greases.

On the other hand, I use similar spec greases, in alternate dark and light colors, so I can tell if I have completely changed the grease with the posilube earrings.. in my boat trailers. No problems with this "mixing".

In this case, you are not trying to "change". I also agree with Sunbeam--you don't want the buddy bearings all of the way full.

Keep an eye on the IR temp. I have a cheap ($25) pocket IR thermometer I always carry in my gear to check trailer hubs every two hours.

Have a great ride!
 
Thank you friends! The grease in there isn't burned - it's fairly fresh and just black - or green. Thanks for mentioning that possibility, Bob - it could well be dark green and I'll look at it in the sunlight tomorrow. If it is green, it's perhaps what a local boatyard uses for the shipsaw, jointer & such and I can just add some. I'll also check to see how recessed the Bearing Buddy discs are - maybe there's enough in there and I'm fretting for nothing (though it seemed they were pretty far in when I glanced the other day).

`Sounds like the safest if doubts persist is to simply have a bearing cleaning/repacking festival before departure and this time write on the frame what we use!

Sure is nice to have all y'all to ask such stuff! Thanks again!

~ Brooks
 
Back
Top