12 replies to this topic

[craigr91]

I've bought a new swivel hub and wheel bearings, what grease do I need to put in the hub for my bearings, there is a sachet with the bearings just don't know if this is enough?

Thanks, Craig

[bmcecosse]

I always use moly grease, but any LM grease would be ok. The sachet should be enough - work it into the bearings with your fingers.

[craigr91]

Thanks, sorry to be a noob but what's LM grease?

Cheers

[RawlinsGTR]

"LM grease is a lithium based, high melting point grease, specifically designed as a wheel bearing grease for use over a wide range of temperatures. It is also suitable for general purpose applications."

:)

[Frisco]

Castrol LM is perfect for it and is stupidly cheap

[craigr91]

ah cool thanks, would have googled but was at work :) thanks for you help again

[craigr91]

even halfords is cheap for castrol lm! :)

[tiger99]

On am Mini, Castrol LM will do front and rear hub bearings, all 8 grease nipples (more on early cars), bonnet and door hinges, wheel nuts, clutch release arm pivot, pedal pivots and just about any other part that moves, or needs to be prevented from squeaking or rattling. The only places NOT to use it are the outer CV joints and inner pot joints, but even there it can be used in dire emergency, as long as you thoroughly clean and lubricate with the special grease as soon as possible.

It is good on places like the thread of the jack too, and things like bicycles. Everyone needs a tin of it in their garage along with 3 in 1 oil, WD40 and vaseline (for battery terminals).

[craigr91]

learn something everyday :) saves me asking another question about the grease for nipples once my car is ready to be on road :) while were on the subject how oftem should everything be grease? (mainly nipples) :) thanks

[mini-luke]

I do them every 3k, the recommended interval is 6k.

[tiger99]

2k was originally recommended if I remember correctly, but that was in 1959. Every 3 or 4 months or so should be ok, and it only takes a few minutes, about as long as it takes to jack up each corner in turn. You don't need to put yourself under the car, except your arm and the grease gun, so you don't need axle stands.

You can do it without jacking, but the grease may penetrate between the bearing surfaces better if the normal load is removed.

[mini-luke]

Just double checked, Haynes says 6k (doesn't mean it's true though!).

[tiger99]

Ideally it should depend on how hard you use the car. Lots of driving on bumpy roads would need more regular greasing than cruising on smooth motorways. Much the same as many very short trips require more frequent oil changes. It does not hurt to do the greasing more often.

Haynes are probably correct as per the most recent Rover recommendations. I don't have access to an early manual to check the original recommendations, but in those days many cars needed greasing every 2000 miles or so, some even less, and I remember doing my old van, a 1962 model, very often.