Ball Bearing Grease

Is your bearing actually serviceable, or sealed for life?

Most wheel bearings on cars built in roughly the last 15 to 20 years are integrated hub units with ABS sensors built in. These are sealed for life, meaning they are not designed to be opened or re-greased. If you try to add grease to one of these units, you risk damaging the seal and affecting the ABS function. If there is noise or play, the correct step is replacement at a garage, not re-lubrication.

Which ball bearing grease do you need?

For most serviceable automotive wheel bearings, trailer bearings, and open rolling bearings, EP2 grease is the standard. The NLGI grade 2 consistency stays in place under the load and rotation typical of road use, and a temperature range of -30°C to +130°C covers normal driving conditions, including occasional towing and hilly routes. For a daily driver with serviceable wheel bearings, a good EP2 grease is sufficient; a synthetic or higher-specification grease is not necessary for typical road use. If you are unsure which grease type is already in the bearing, remove the old grease completely before applying a new product, since different grease types can be chemically incompatible.

• For serviceable wheel bearings on older cars, trailers, and caravans: choose an EP2 NLGI 2 bearing grease such as Lindemann EP Grease.
• For open ball or roller bearings in light workshop equipment (rollers, fans, or electric motors where the manufacturer specifies grease lubrication): EP2 bearing grease is usually suitable, provided the required NLGI grade and temperature range match the equipment specification.
• For bearings positioned near sustained high heat that regularly exceeds 130°C, such as certain heavily loaded disc brake configurations on heavy trailers: check whether a high-temperature bearing grease is needed, and confirm with the bearing or vehicle manufacturer.
• For food-grade or specialised industrial machinery: automotive EP2 grease is not suitable. Use the grease type specified by the machine manufacturer.

How much grease, and how often?

How much:

• Aim to fill roughly one-third to one-half of the bearing cavity. Completely packed full is too much.
• When hand-packing a bearing, work grease through until it appears on the other side of the rollers, then remove any obvious excess from the outside.
• With a grease gun on a grease nipple, stop as soon as you feel resistance and see the first trace of fresh grease at the seal. Do not keep pumping.
• After assembly, spin the wheel by hand and check that it rotates freely and that the seals do not bulge or show signs of leaking.

How often:

• For serviceable wheel bearings on older cars, trailers, and caravans, check and re-grease at the interval specified by the manufacturer.
• Shorten that interval if you do a lot of towing, driving in mountains, or travelling on wet and salty roads.
• Always re-grease bearings when they are opened for brake work or inspection, regardless of the kilometre count.
• Modern sealed hub bearings on most newer cars are not re-greased at all. They are replaced as a unit when they are worn.

For a full step-by-step on repacking wheel bearings at home, see our separate guide in the Knowledge Center.

When should you go to a garage instead of regreasing?

• Humming or growling noise from a wheel that changes with speed: this points to bearing wear. Book a garage inspection and replacement. Fresh grease will not cure this.
• Noticeable play when rocking the wheel by hand, or vibration through the steering wheel or body at speed: have a garage inspect the wheel bearings and suspension. Adding grease is not the answer here.
• A hub that becomes unusually hot after a short drive compared with the other side: stop driving and have it checked. This can indicate bearing damage or incorrect bearing adjustment.
• Noise or roughness that remains after regreasing: do not continue driving in the hope it will improve. The bearing is likely already damaged and needs inspection.

Fresh grease on a worn bearing delays nothing and fixes nothing. If you notice any of these symptoms, book an inspection at a garage before doing anything else.

A few things to keep in mind before you start

• If you do not know what type of grease is already in the bearing, remove as much of the old grease as possible and clean the parts thoroughly before applying a new product. Different grease types can be chemically incompatible and may soften or separate when mixed.
• Use a suitable degreaser or brake cleaner that is safe for bearings and seals, and let everything dry completely before applying new grease. Avoid aggressive solvents that can damage rubber components.
• Keep ball bearing grease away from brake discs, brake pads, and drum friction surfaces. Even a small amount of grease on a braking surface reduces stopping effectiveness significantly. When servicing wheel bearings alongside brake work, keep the two tasks clearly separated.
• Ball bearing grease maintains and protects bearings that are still in good condition. It does not repair pitting, heavy wear, excess play, incorrect preload, or a damaged seal.
• Store an opened tub or cartridge in a cool, dry place with the lid tightly closed. Check that the grease has not visibly separated, hardened at the surface, or become contaminated with dirt or moisture before use.
• Always work with clean tools and clean hands. Contamination from sand, metal particles, or water introduced during the job accelerates bearing wear.
• If your car or trailer is still under warranty, check the manufacturer's recommendations before opening any bearing assembly. Using a non-approved grease or opening a sealed hub unit can affect your warranty.
• Ball bearing grease is intended for grease-lubricated rolling bearings and some simple pivot points. It is not suitable for CV joints, engine internals, fuel systems, or as a general brake component lubricant.

If you are deciding between a standard EP2 grease and a higher-specification product, the NLGI grade and temperature range on the label are the two figures that matter most for typical road use. When those match your application, you have the right product.