big2bird
Charter Member, Founder Bird-Run, Cruise-In Bird-R
Truely a "Kodak Moment.":rofl:
Bad Synthetic Grease??!
- Thread starter BlackBetty
- Start date
Truely a "Kodak Moment.":rofl:
MYBAD79
Moderator
January 11th 2009 - a day to remember
I didn't try to stir it.... and I didn't think all synthetics do this, the "green grease" that I bought is fine... hey, it's recommended by "two guy's garage" so it must be good, right ??
Twin_Turbo
Der Maulwurf
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2008
- Messages
- 7,575
No no, I agreed with him last month or so too! It was about...what was it about...forgot I must be getting down with something, these "weak" moments seem to occur more often lately 
I must be getting down with something, these "weak" moments seem to occur more often lately
MYBAD79
Moderator
Maybe not too technical but if it's separating and the oil is dripping from the hub the the grease that remains inside the hub becomes dry ... not ???
BlackBetty
Well-known member
Im gonna just go ahead redo them. Its not like I replace the bearings every 3k miles. I have synthetic grease thats been in my storage room for 10 years and its fine. I dont want this crap leaking all over my sexy undercarriage. :hi:
GTR1999
Gearhead
mobil 1 has had a separation issue as well,not as bad as that though. I use it in steering boxes,suspension front and rear bearings. It will separate and stabilize. The last set of rear bearings I did I found the spindles really were snug, the endplay was 002 but it felt like 0005". At first I thought I machined the shim wrong so I broke it down and installed new bearings again set to 002" Again once the job was done and torqued it was tight. The only change was the addition of the Mobil 1. I've used this grease for years without every having this problem so I took a closer look. The packaging was a little different and the color of the tube caps were blue instead of black. Comparing the black cap grease to the blue I saw a color difference and the newer grease didn't seem as "thin". washed out the grease to recheck the clearences and they were dead on, the grease caused the added drag, again more so then ever before. I called Mobil and spoke to 2 different guys, one said they changed the formula and the other said the didn't but they also didn't make the grease!
I don't think the added drag would have caused a problem once the load of driving was on them but I didn't want to take a chance so I installed another set of bearings and used the last of the old grease I had here. No drag at all.
Now I'll use the new grease in boxes but will look for something else if I can't find the "old" grease.
I don't think the added drag would have caused a problem once the load of driving was on them but I didn't want to take a chance so I installed another set of bearings and used the last of the old grease I had here. No drag at all.
Now I'll use the new grease in boxes but will look for something else if I can't find the "old" grease.
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mrvette
Phantom of the Opera
Gary, guys, I checked my rear bearing about a year ago....both for 3-9 play and 6-9 play and also the listening/stethescope which was a happy sound with engine running.....but it's been some 15 years since they were rebuilt...
so what to think??? pull them down soon for a repack, or leave it alone.....
everything seems fine....have to guess at 150 k miles by now...
what say you???
:search:
Dirtbuster1
Well-known member
Gary,
Sounds like the Mobil 1 might have been a different viscosity than normal. I used there products for quite some time. There packaging would be the same, but the different cap colors usually indicate a different product. I believe I was told by Chevron & Mobil that there were 2 different people that packaged all of the grease in the US. Mobil product packaged by someone else. By looking at the grease you would probably not be able to fiqure out the viscosity. It takes some specialized equipment to do that. It's not uncommon for the oil to seperate from the grease, but excessive seperation usually indicates a problem with the soap.
Sounds like the Mobil 1 might have been a different viscosity than normal. I used there products for quite some time. There packaging would be the same, but the different cap colors usually indicate a different product. I believe I was told by Chevron & Mobil that there were 2 different people that packaged all of the grease in the US. Mobil product packaged by someone else. By looking at the grease you would probably not be able to fiqure out the viscosity. It takes some specialized equipment to do that. It's not uncommon for the oil to seperate from the grease, but excessive seperation usually indicates a problem with the soap.
MYBAD79
Moderator
Somebody did a good job some 15 years ago.
Disassembly and re-packing is just as much work as replacing the bearings. It might be another 5 years until they start making noise.
Now if you want to fix the crappy factory welds or rust issues on your trailing arms or the frame pocket I'd do it all in one shot....
If it's all fine I'd leave it alone. Frequent inspection is a good thing, did you see that photo that (I think) Jeff posted ? That huge rust hole in the trailing arm ??
GTR1999
Gearhead
Gene,
If you have a smooth noise free spindle with 001-003 endplay I'd leave then alone. If you have over 003 endplay or noise then replace them.
On the grease, yes I agree I certainly can't tell by eye but there is a color difference. At the point as was with this I had no idea the grease was the problem. I thought the shim I ground was a 0005" tight and since I don't reuse bearings once installed I tossed the new ones and setup a 2nd set. when I had the same deal with those I really was going nuts, I've done more then a few rear bearings over the years but never had this happen. Once I flushed out the grease on one of the old sets, I polished the inner Brg for a slip fit.. I assembled them back on a jig I made up using the spindle with a pressed on outer brg and they were exactly where I set them to - .002" The only thing missing was the new Mobil 1 grease. So I setup a 3rd set and used one of the last tubes of the old mobil1 and they were dead on. That job was a negative one for sure but it came out great- 002" endplay and runout also 002"
I got no where with Mobil, their local sales rep never called back and the guys on the phone didn't really care. I'm going to call Timken to see what grease they recommend as I don't know if I'll be able to get the old Mobil anymore.
If you have a smooth noise free spindle with 001-003 endplay I'd leave then alone. If you have over 003 endplay or noise then replace them.
On the grease, yes I agree I certainly can't tell by eye but there is a color difference. At the point as was with this I had no idea the grease was the problem. I thought the shim I ground was a 0005" tight and since I don't reuse bearings once installed I tossed the new ones and setup a 2nd set. when I had the same deal with those I really was going nuts, I've done more then a few rear bearings over the years but never had this happen. Once I flushed out the grease on one of the old sets, I polished the inner Brg for a slip fit.. I assembled them back on a jig I made up using the spindle with a pressed on outer brg and they were exactly where I set them to - .002" The only thing missing was the new Mobil 1 grease. So I setup a 3rd set and used one of the last tubes of the old mobil1 and they were dead on. That job was a negative one for sure but it came out great- 002" endplay and runout also 002"
I got no where with Mobil, their local sales rep never called back and the guys on the phone didn't really care. I'm going to call Timken to see what grease they recommend as I don't know if I'll be able to get the old Mobil anymore.
Dirtbuster1
Well-known member
Gary,
Take a pic of the tube, & the color of the grease. I have several Mobil Reps & Engineers cell phone numbers. I will be glad to get you what you need.
Herb
Take a pic of the tube, & the color of the grease. I have several Mobil Reps & Engineers cell phone numbers. I will be glad to get you what you need.
Herb
MYBAD79
Moderator
Gary, try that "Green Grease" - it's synthetic, waterproof, available locally at AdvancedAuto and under $10 for the tube... like the color too
I set the endplay to .002" dry, it feels a little tight with the seals and the grease but I measured several times and I'm sure the endplay is .002"
I set the endplay to .002" dry, it feels a little tight with the seals and the grease but I measured several times and I'm sure the endplay is .002"
GTR1999
Gearhead
Gary, try that "Green Grease" - it's synthetic, waterproof, available locally at AdvancedAuto and under $10 for the tube... like the color too
I set the endplay to .002" dry, it feels a little tight with the seals and the grease but I measured several times and I'm sure the endplay is .002"
Is that the Lucas green grease? I have some here but couldn't get much info so I called Lucas and tech support was about as good as Mobil's. This is not a lithium grease so they said to use the Red & tacky grease. I had this as well and used in a couple of steering boxes. It's much thinner then the green or Mobil 1. I didn't want to chance it. I've used Amsoil racing grease in the past and it setup ok but it cost more and it not as easy to go buy if I runout.
Here are the tubes of the Mobil. You can see the opened case are all blue caps, the black cap in the next picture is what I've been using for years, the last shows the color. It might not be as clear but there is a shade difference.
One of the Mobil techs told me if I thought it was defective to return it. I don't think it is a bad batch just a changed formula that I certainly can feel the difference in.
MYBAD79
Moderator
mrvette
Phantom of the Opera
Thanks Gary/Karsten....the bearings and t-arms were all brand new when the entire rear was done, stock rubber on the t-arms, and the VBP urethane struts...the rear is new Yogi Bear ends.....but the old cross shaft stayed in there as I coulndt find a new one....did think of having the other end machined at 90* off so to bring a 'good' section of the shaft into the axels, but never did,.....I rebuilt it was good clutches and let it go....been fine....
so no rusty arms, not much rain use....
I do have a odd heavy clunk under there though, lately when I pull it outta gear at a light, put it back in gear, then hit the gas, it goes 'thunk' pretty heavy....just when I hit the gas, not the usual engagement clunk....
any clue there???
:flash:
so no rusty arms, not much rain use....
I do have a odd heavy clunk under there though, lately when I pull it outta gear at a light, put it back in gear, then hit the gas, it goes 'thunk' pretty heavy....just when I hit the gas, not the usual engagement clunk....
any clue there???
:flash:
MYBAD79
Moderator
front differential mount - easy and cheap fix. Have a look first before you buy parts but I'm pretty sure that fits the description of your "symptom"
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GTR1999
Gearhead
Gene,
Sounds like the snubber, use rubber over poly. I use the ones Bairs sells.
Sounds like the snubber, use rubber over poly. I use the ones Bairs sells.
turtlevette
The Turdle
i thought green grease in general was for marine applications. It looks like the "green grease" brand is synthetic and good for wheel bearings too.
Waterproof like green grease should be.
maybe i'll buy several tubes and smear it all over my frame.
who painted that spindle flange battleship grey?
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MYBAD79
Moderator
I did..... self etching primer, it's grey/green .... I don't care for the color either but this stuff seems to be pretty good....
Dirtbuster1
Well-known member
Gary,
Talked with Mobil again today. There was a packaging change on the Mobil1 grease, however the Mobil 1 grease has not been reformulated. The Rep is pushing this further up the line just to make sure it hasn't been reformulated.
Some other info I found out was the price of refinned oil has started to drop, however it is not known how long it will take us to see it in the stores. We will still probably not see a price in synthetic oils for quite some time. It might be years. :crap: Hurricane Ike shutdown the refinnery in Beaumont, and it is just getting back on line. It is Mobils only synthetic refinnery in the states.
Talked with Mobil again today. There was a packaging change on the Mobil1 grease, however the Mobil 1 grease has not been reformulated. The Rep is pushing this further up the line just to make sure it hasn't been reformulated.
Some other info I found out was the price of refinned oil has started to drop, however it is not known how long it will take us to see it in the stores. We will still probably not see a price in synthetic oils for quite some time. It might be years. :crap: Hurricane Ike shutdown the refinnery in Beaumont, and it is just getting back on line. It is Mobils only synthetic refinnery in the states.
