Quick opinions: NAPA wheel bearing grease
 

... would like a quick opinion, please. When I did the wheel bearings on my w123 I used NAPA premium wheel bearing and chassi grease, and so far, so good. I'm about to do the front bearings on my w124, which I drive a lot more often, a lot harder, and a lot faster. Do you guys think the NAPA grease is up to standard, or should I go for something else? I don't want to cut corners on the wheel bearings. I did a search but didn't see the NAPA grease specifically mentioned in any.:o

It should be fine, as long as its rated for disc brakes.

Napa grease is fine...it all comes from the same place, different branding (Napa oil and grease all manufactured by valvoline). Just make sure you clean and then pack them well.

I have a slightly loose front bearing in my W124 that I want to tighten up (Dial guage with magnetic base is on order!) so if you write this up I'll be watching eagerly.

I only use Mobil 1 grease. It works great and you can't buy a finer product. It cost about 4 times as much, but even at that the difference is only a few dollars.

Thanks guys. The guy at NAPA told me before it was good as anything, and they're pretty good at my local NAPA ... but I figured I'd ask the experts.:o I may try to find Mobil 1 but if not I've got the big jar of NAPA stuff. Right now the bearings are sitting in mineral spirits for a bit. They look to be in good condition but the grease that was on there was pretty dirty ... and I think the shop that did my last brake job used a bit too much. The entire inside of the hub was solid grease. And there was not enough play. Hopefully I'll do a better job than those guys did ... :rolleyes:

tombance, I didn't take any pics of this wheel but I'll try to do so when I get to the other wheel, and do a little writeup. The dial gauge is definitely a must, IMO ... I used it on the w123 and the doing-it-by-feel method was wayyyy off. The gauge is cheap, and kind of fun to use.:cool:

NAPA's major customers are other Businesses in the Auto Repair Business, Fleet Owners, institutions like School Districts; County and City Governments and such.

It would be hard to imagine that they would market a product that is not at least adequate for the job.

last i looked M1 was not labeled for disc brake use, and after a call to their tech support i bought valvoline.

Key is correct packing of the bearing. Put a glob in your palm. Put index finger through bearing hole & force grease into the side of the bearing. Work all the way around until the entire circumference is packed. No special bearing packer needed unless you are repacking for a living. I've seen people who thought they could just smear some on the outside and be good.

I did buy some Mobil 1, but the label doesn't say specifically it's rated for disc brakes, and the top of the range listed on it is 350F ... I thought WB grease needed to withstand 450? I might have just made that up in my mind, the way I've been lately. I'll just stick with the NAPA for now. I'm sure I'll find plenty of other uses for the Mobil 1.:)

I've been using Valvoline in my MB bearings for years...never a problems. Yes, it is rated for disc brakes, and it is also red in color.

I think the last shop that did them just filled the hub chock full of grease and stuffed the bearings into the grease blob.:rolleyes: As I recall I kinda enjoyed packing the 240D's ... goey grease everywhere ... kind of like a grown-up version of finger painting.

If the grease is dirty, rub a bit from near the bearings between your thumb & pointer finger & hold up to the light & look for fine metal particles, will indicate if the hard casing on the bearings has been damaged. When the hub/bearings are clean , before you re-grease , put the hub back on and rotate. This will allow you to determine if there is damage under the roller race out of sight. The surfaces that you can see may be fine, its the ones you cant see that will get you! If some turkey has over tightened the bearings in the past, there is a chance that the cup, cone or rollers may be damaged. Its a PITA to put them back all nicely re-greased and find wheel bearing noise - been there done that!! New wheel bearings are cheap!

Thanks! Will do.

Easy clean bearing packing trick!
 

Originally Posted by Billybob
Place the premeasured amount of grease in a large cheap/thin ziplock bag, and a thoroughly cleaned bearing, zip the bag shut, work the grease into the bearing from outside of the bag with your hands, remove newly greased bearing taking care to wipe excess grease off into the bag, reclose bag and using a straightedge or the edge of a table/bench work the remaining grease into a corner of the bag, snip a small piece of the bag corner off and squeeze the balance of the premeasured grease into the bearing cup! No lost grease, completely packed bearing and clean hands!