Hub oil

Lucas makes a hub oil. I don't like to use it because it is so thick it is hard to tell if a wheel seal is beginning to leak. As in just a little wet around the seal. It don't leak out until it is a full blown, oil all over the brakes seal.

 

I use 75w90 synthetic gear oil. Have for 15 years. Never had any trouble.

 

X2...

 

I have used straight 140 for several years now. My reasoning came from a friend of mine who runs a shop for a major leasing company. They went to grease in all trailer hubs several years ago, so I thought the heavy oil would be nearly as good. I have never had a bearing failure before I switched or after.
Now seals, I think I have more seal failures than I should, and I am sure I just found the problem two weeks ago while rebuilding the suspension on one of my dumps. The problem is me!
As this was a project over several days, I did a lot of research to try to find a better seal, while looking at different sites I ran across a bearing site that described the correct tightening sequence for wheel bearings on heavy duty axles. Long story short, I have been leaving bearings way to loose.
Here is what the book says,

Short version, torque first nut to 200 foot lbs, while rotating. back off, then re torque to 50, then back off 1/4 turn, install jam nut.

 

I have always used Lucas, keep in mind that oil does thin as it gets warmer.
Besides, if I do have a seal leak, I don't want to loose all my oil immediately... this could be a very bad thing.

One thing you might check out (google) Stemco / Pro Torque nut

 

I forgot to say that I use 140 if the hub is disassembled, but I always top off with Lucas.

 

I use Lucas hub oil, but it gets changed every 6 months. The old lube looks black and thick, doesn't foam up anymore so I remove the hub cap, clean it thoroughly- replace it, seal it with red Hi-Temp silicone and it's good for 6 more months.

It's good stuff but for Northern climates I would choose a synthetic gear/trans lube.

 

I use about 75% synthetic with 25% Lucas.

 

This is exactly what I do & why I do it.