The Ford Barn

kurt v · 06-15-2023, 09:55 AM

Where can i get the fiber wheel bearing grease, looked and called half the world and nobody has any.

thanks kurt

alexiskai · 06-15-2023, 10:17 AM

The Sta-Lube SL3131 or SL3136 short-fiber sodium grease that was the accepted standard for packing drum brake bearings has been discontinued. The only remaining supplies are whatever's in everyone's workshops. Virtually no sodium-based bearing greases are available anymore, at least not in the sizes we look for.

Sta-Lube has designated SL3111 as the replacement product. This is a lithium-complex grease. Some folks are gravitating toward Lucas Red N Tacky due to a belief that it'll do a better job sticking to the loose-fit rollers in these bearings. Others argue that Model A bearings are light-duty and it's not worth obsessing over. Time will tell, I suppose.

Planojc · 06-15-2023, 10:54 AM

I bought my last sta lube at NAPA

rotorwrench · 06-15-2023, 11:48 AM

Disk brakes are currently the most common type in service. With the high temperatures of the disk brakes, the modern high temp grease is used to service them. Many disk hubs have sealed bearings now so the demand for the old types of grease using sodium soaps are very low. This has driven that segment of the industry to abandon the older types of grease.

Lithium based soaps are still used where moisture is a problem. Calcium is still utilized as well. Polyurea, organophilic clay, fumed silica, fluoropolymers, and other non soap thickeners are common in the modern era.

Dino's A · 06-16-2023, 09:00 AM

I really like the way the red n tacky stuff looks and feels. The
old stuff just doesn't have that clingy feeling to it.

katy · 06-16-2023, 10:15 AM

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Have always used regular chassis grease for wheel bearings on cars w/drum brakes, never had a problem.
Reminder, when re-installing wheel bearings not to overtighten them, they need just a smidge of slack.

nkaminar · 06-16-2023, 12:00 PM

My main requirement for grease is that it is greasy.

As the old man in Cambria, California was found of saying: "Take it easy, go greasy." He may have been referring to food.

The greases used in 1930 were so primitive compared to today's grease that any of the modern greases should work fine.

With some exceptions, grease is oil suspended in a media.

06-15-2023, 09:55 AM	#1
kurt v Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: summerton, sc Posts: 356	wheel bearing grease Where can i get the fiber wheel bearing grease, looked and called half the world and nobody has any. thanks kurt

06-15-2023, 10:17 AM	#2
alexiskai Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Mebane NC Posts: 2,386	Re: wheel bearing grease The Sta-Lube SL3131 or SL3136 short-fiber sodium grease that was the accepted standard for packing drum brake bearings has been discontinued. The only remaining supplies are whatever's in everyone's workshops. Virtually no sodium-based bearing greases are available anymore, at least not in the sizes we look for. Sta-Lube has designated SL3111 as the replacement product. This is a lithium-complex grease. Some folks are gravitating toward Lucas Red N Tacky due to a belief that it'll do a better job sticking to the loose-fit rollers in these bearings. Others argue that Model A bearings are light-duty and it's not worth obsessing over. Time will tell, I suppose.

06-15-2023, 10:54 AM	#3
Planojc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Plano, Texas Posts: 873	Re: wheel bearing grease I bought my last sta lube at NAPA

06-15-2023, 11:48 AM	#4
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,497	Re: wheel bearing grease Disk brakes are currently the most common type in service. With the high temperatures of the disk brakes, the modern high temp grease is used to service them. Many disk hubs have sealed bearings now so the demand for the old types of grease using sodium soaps are very low. This has driven that segment of the industry to abandon the older types of grease. Lithium based soaps are still used where moisture is a problem. Calcium is still utilized as well. Polyurea, organophilic clay, fumed silica, fluoropolymers, and other non soap thickeners are common in the modern era. Last edited by rotorwrench; 06-15-2023 at 11:58 AM.

06-16-2023, 09:00 AM	#5
Dino's A Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Arcadia, Ca. Posts: 254	Re: wheel bearing grease I really like the way the red n tacky stuff looks and feels. The old stuff just doesn't have that clingy feeling to it. __________________ 1928 Roadster Pickup 1930 Tudor 1943 Ford WWII Jeep 1968 Taco Minibike Member, Santa Anita Model A's Arcadia Ca.

06-16-2023, 10:15 AM	#6
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,079	Re: wheel bearing grease Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Have always used regular chassis grease for wheel bearings on cars w/drum brakes, never had a problem. Reminder, when re-installing wheel bearings not to overtighten them, they need just a smidge of slack. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

06-16-2023, 12:00 PM	#7
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 4,031	Re: wheel bearing grease My main requirement for grease is that it is greasy. As the old man in Cambria, California was found of saying: "Take it easy, go greasy." He may have been referring to food. The greases used in 1930 were so primitive compared to today's grease that any of the modern greases should work fine. With some exceptions, grease is oil suspended in a media. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.