Note: Never mix grease types. Bases, thickeners and additives of various greases will differ and may not be compatible. Always carefully clean out any old grease before applying any new grease.

The first item that needs to be clarified is the NLGI number. This is a measure of grease consistency or relative hardness. (See table.) It does not refer to any other properties of the grease that would help you decide its suitability. For example, two greases could be identified as NLGI 2, one may be suitable for wheel ends and the other may be suitable for food manufacturing equipment. Just because it has the same NLGI number does not mean that it has the same properties or service life as the one you are replacing. Therefore, you can’t choose the correct grease simply from the NGLI number.

Selecting the right grease can seem like a real puzzle and a waste of your time. Often the vehicle manufacturer might specify a lubricant rating or specification but the products you are looking at don’t list whether they meet those standards. Unfortunately, saying ‘This will do’ no longer meets the fine tolerance components of modern trucks and trailers now have. So, spending a little extra time up front to determine the best lubricant for the truck or trailer application can prevent unforeseen problems, reduce vehicle down time and greatly improve fleet productivity.

Premium Ad 20 $198,000 2018 KENWORTH K200 » Listing Type: Used» Class: Prime Mover» Power - hp: 525» Kms: 831,359» Stock Number: 306371 Location marker The shape of a location marker Coffs Harbour, NSW 02 8279 7046 MESSAGE MORE DETAILS Premium Ad 12 $89,950 2013 MITSUBISHI FIGHTER 1627 » Listing Type: Used» Class: Pantech» Power - hp: 270» Drive: 4x2» Kms: 430,810» Stock Number: 6415 Location marker The shape of a location marker Forbes, NSW 02 6171 3989 MESSAGE MORE DETAILS Premium Ad 4 $55,000 FREIGHTLINER CENTURY CLASS » Listing Type: Used» Class: Prime Mover» Stock Number: S11 Location marker The shape of a location marker Yatala, QLD 07 3177 3136 MESSAGE MORE DETAILS Premium Ad 7 $49,500 2015 ISUZU NPR200/275 PREMIUM » Listing Type: Used» Class: Tray Top Drop Sides» Power - kW: 114» Power - hp: 155» Drive: 4x2» Kms: 4,980 Location marker The shape of a location marker Warragul, VIC **** *** 482 MESSAGE MORE DETAILS Premium Ad 20 $304,900 2023 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA » Listing Type: New» Class: Prime Mover» Power - hp: 505» Kms: 331» Stock Number: 339949 Location marker The shape of a location marker Beresfield, NSW 02 6171 3165 MESSAGE MORE DETAILS Premium Ad 25 $104,900 2013 HINO 500 SERIES - FG 1628 » Listing Type: Used» Class: Dual Cab» Power - hp: 280» Drive: 4x2» Kms: 235,000» Stock Number: 13521 Location marker The shape of a location marker Macksville, NSW Location marker The shape of a location marker Delivery Australia Wide 02 6171 3494 MESSAGE MORE DETAILS Premium Ad 23 $85,450 2024 ISUZU NPR75-190 » Listing Type: New» Class: Tipper» Power - hp: 190» Drive: 4x2» Stock Number: B81792 Location marker The shape of a location marker Macksville, NSW Location marker The shape of a location marker Delivery Australia Wide 02 6171 3494 MESSAGE MORE DETAILS Premium Ad 15 $119,500 2020 HINO FD » Listing Type: Used» Class: Pantech» Power - hp: 240» Kms: 137,889» Stock Number: 1441 Location marker The shape of a location marker Harristown, QLD 07 3171 1771 MESSAGE MORE DETAILS Premium Ad 17 $55,000 2004 IVECO POWERSTAR 6300 » Listing Type: Used» Class: Tipper» Power - hp: 430» Drive: 4x2» Kms: 338,000 Location marker The shape of a location marker Stud Park, NSW **** *** 296 MESSAGE MORE DETAILS Premium Ad 3 $39,000 1989 INTERNATIONAL S-LINE 2600 » Listing Type: Used» Class: Prime Mover» With Work Available: No» Power - hp: 400» Drive: 6x4» Kms: 786,743» Stock Number: S342 Location marker The shape of a location marker Wacol, QLD 07 3085 2956 MESSAGE MORE DETAILS Premium Ad 26 $144,900 2015 HINO 500 SERIES - FM 2632 » Listing Type: Used» Class: Water Trucks» Power - hp: 320» Stock Number: 13207 Location marker The shape of a location marker Macksville, NSW Location marker The shape of a location marker Delivery Australia Wide 02 6171 3494 MESSAGE MORE DETAILS Premium Ad 29 $356,900 2024 ISUZU FVY 240-300 » Listing Type: New» Class: Crane Truck» Power - hp: 300» Drive: 4x2» Stock Number: B85869 Location marker The shape of a location marker Macksville, NSW Location marker The shape of a location marker Delivery Australia Wide 02 6171 3494 MESSAGE MORE DETAILS

With the advance of vehicle technology, lubrication has become much more sophisticated. It might be more complicated, but in return we have much greater reliability and performance than ever. Trailers are no exception to this advance in technology, bringing with it an increase in choices but also greatly improved performance.

Choosing the right bearing grease lubricant for your trailer has never been more complicated. The range of lubricants now available makes choosing the right one for your application like solving an ever-growing puzzle.

At one point, only one high temperature bearing grease was used for all wheel bearings, but this has been replaced by a variety of greases. The wheel bearing grease for standard Hendrickson wheel ends is heavy duty NLGI 2 lithium complex grease classified as GB or GC. While there are many lithium soap based greases, those with lithium complex thickeners have higher dropping points that allow them to be used at higher temperatures. Which is why it is important to look for lithium complex grease for wheel bearings. This type of wheel bearing grease is inexpensive and suitable for standard wheel bearings that are cleaned, inspected and repacked at regular annual intervals.

As wheel end systems become more sophisticated, a higher quality grease is required for premium long-life wheel bearings, such as Hendrickson HXL7, which are expected to go up to 5 years without rebuilding. These wheel ends need a grease that continues to lubricate throughout thousands of kilometres. The only grease available in Australia and approved for use by Hendrickson is Mobil’s semi-fluid Mobilith SHC 007. This is an NGLI 00 semi-fluid lithium complex grease that uses stable synthetic base oils. It provides thermal stability and oxidation resistance along with protection against wear, rust and corrosion. Additionally, it is compatible with other wheel end components, such as TIREMAAX PRO tyre pressure control systems. Therefore, this is an essential grease to have when working on Hendrickson HXL extended long life wheel ends.

If you have been in the industry for a while, you might fondly look back at a time when one wheel bearing grease would cover everything that ever came into your workshop.