Grease in trailer axle bearings instead of gear oil?

The company l work for has both types no real issues in the winter or the summer. They tried grease for the same reason you are thinking about doing it.

 

WHEEL-END LUBE: NOT SO SIMPLE | Today's Trucking

interesting. read it. I have PSI installed grease hub and I will convert it to oil bath. I will use Lucas hub oil. Time tested !
After 2-3 years semifluid grease is gaining viscosity and becomes solid grease because of dirt, moisture, ... and kills your hub. last years I mostly see grease packed broken hubs and bearings..

 

Try a Speedi Sleeve SKF Speedi-Sleeve . It fits over the worn seal surface and makes it just like new.

 

My former boss decided to change the three trailer sets from grease to oil after losing two bearing sets in -40 degree weather and also had one set of tires skidded flat because the grease was frozen solid, the trailer was empty and the driver didn't do a rolling check to start the morning.

The trailer sales/service shop that sold those trailers told our shop foreman that the grease should be changed once per year because it will increase in viscosity in a year or so.
I would only pull a grease-lubed hub trailer if it had been serviced in the last 6 months and the weather was going to be reasonably warm.

 

I’ve read a bit about grease vs oil. I’ve had grease type on steers of my last Truck, never a problem. I’ve read about problems with the outer smaller bearing running dry, newer style hub has a larger outer bearing, supposed to solve the issue. Also seems to be 2 different greases used, solid and semi fluid. My current trailer has grease hubs.I like the grease due to less leaking of oil onto brake shoes. But I don’t think just adding grease is enough. They need to be removed cleaned and packed, then extra amount of grease in hubcap, and re installed. I’ve never seen a zerk type system from the factory. Seems like system similar to bearing buddy used on boat trailers would be a good set up. On the other hand adding oil to an existing grease type set up shouldn’t be a problem at all.Im about to do my brakes, also going to re pack and install new seals, I’m a little Leary if the grease only set up. I’ll soon find out upon inspection

 

You don't want the Voyager! You want stemco grit guard. Remember to put RTV sealant on inside of wear ring, and on outside of wheel seal. You will be good to go for a long time.

 

some guys add little synthetic gear oil into grease after year so grease will have less viscosity...

 

Well I got the brakes done, finally. Couldn’t find the semi fluid grease used on my trailer, called everybody. Seems no one ever heard of it. It’s very expensive. So I went to a Penske shop, and asked them, since my Trailer came from Penske. What I learned is this. The grease is Delo synthetic SF type NLGI #00. Synthetic, w/ lithium base, as a thickener. Strange, even the local Delo supplier wasn’t sure, had to look it up. Anyway product code# 235253. So meanwhile, I’m only replacing the one seal that has been seeping for a while. Took other hubcaps off, grease all looks good. According to Mechanics at Penske, all their trailers have this expensive grease. They had very little on hand, as they virtually never have to change a leaky seal or repack bearings. So I repacked bearings regular EP moly #2 grease for now, till I can find some of the good stuff.

 

Chevron makes a lot of the good stuff. They used Delo in all the mixers and the monster haul trucks in the quarry. Delo lubricants. And everything had the old school pressurized lubricators that constantly sent new grease to all the moving parts. I cannot think of a harsher environment except for marine perhaps.

 

Synthetic semi-fluid grease come in 5 gallon pails. It costs around $250-270 . There are two brands widely available. Mobilith 007 and Delo SF . Castrol has SHL 00 but it is not available in USA. It's available in Canada. It comes in 14oz size. I spent time on internet to find out where I can get Mobilith 007 less than 5 gallon pails. Take a look on this link.
https://parts.haascnc.com/haasparts/en/USD/Find-Replacement-Parts/Consumables-%28Grease%2C-Oil%2C-Paint%2C-Sealants-%29/GREASE%2C-REFILL-MOBIL-SHC-007---1-QT-0-94-L/p/93-1933A
This is the grease you need. It's not 5 gallon pail