When it comes to taking care of your fleet, one of the most critical components of a good maintenance routine is selecting the right grease for the job. The chassis, which serves as the fundamental structural framework of your vehicle, is essentially its “skeleton,” providing the strength and rigidity necessary to support critical components like the engine, transmission, axles, suspension system, and body. Selecting the right chassis grease ensures that these essential parts function smoothly and efficiently.
Why chassis grease? Chassis grease is specifically designed for the moving parts of your vehicle’s chassis, which includes components such as the suspension system, steering linkage, and areas where essential metal parts could rub against each other.
For fleet vehicles and trucks, the choice of chassis grease is important because it must be able to handle the specific demands of heavy-duty use. Heavy-duty vehicles are constantly competing against the worst elements and contaminants, including water, dirt, snow, salt, and drastically fluctuating temperatures. Therefore, it is critical to have quality lubricating grease to protect your truck from serious damage.
Using the appropriate grease is a key step in maintaining your vehicle’s chassis for several reasons:
- Reducing friction
- Preventing corrosion
- Extending component life
- Improving vehicle performance
- Reducing maintenance costs
Selecting a grease with the right consistency and additives ensures your vehicle’s optimal performance under high loads, varying temperatures, and challenging conditions. Regular maintenance schedules often include checking and replenishing chassis grease to keep fleet trucks in optimal working condition.
Chassis grease application. Not only is it critical to apply the correct grease, but the correct application is also key to optimal fleet performance. Failing to do so can have negative results, such as excess grease leaking from the seals that have been damaged by over-greasing, providing the perfect opportunity for contaminants to get into your vehicle systems and wreak havoc. Once damaged, the seals will leak grease at an expedited rate, causing extensive damage to your wear components.
Chassis grease categories. Before selecting a grease, it is imperative to always follow these important steps:
- Review your fleet vehicle’s owner handbook and follow the OEM recommendations.
- Rely on official resources for chassis grease guidelines such as the National Lubricating Grease Institute. NLGI recommends applying an NLGI-certified grease as they have been vetted for quality performance and reliability, contributing to the long-lasting operation of your vehicle.
Chassis greases come in two categories:
- G-Category greases: These greases are suitable for use in wheel bearings, with the GC subcategory applying to disc brake wheel bearings.
- L-Category greases: These greases are suitable for use in chassis applications. They are formulated to handle loads, temperatures, and environments encountered by the chassis.
Each grease has subcategories to label the grease more accurately. For G-Category greases, there are GA, GB, and GC subcategories, though GA and GB are considered obsolete. For L-Category greases, there are LA and LB. For example, Mystik’s JT-6 Heavy Duty SynBlend 460 #2 grease is an NLGI-certified chassis LB grease, with LB being considered the higher-performing chassis grease subcategory.
With an array of quality NLGI-certified greases available, it is important to evaluate the benefits and compromises before selecting the grease for your needs.
Chassis grease properties. There are several properties that should be considered when selecting a grease:
- Consistency is the grease’s ability to maintain its form or shape when force is applied. Consistency is rated by the NLGI scale from 000 to 6, with 6 being the hardest state and 000 being the softest.
- Dropping point is the temperature at which grease starts to liquefy under high temperatures.
- Viscosity: high viscosity grease can withstand higher loads and act as a sealant to prevent leakage.
- Water resistance is the grease’s ability to withstand water washout and water spray-off.
These properties ensure that the selected chassis grease provides reliable lubrication and protection under the rigorous demands of your application, contributing to the longevity and optimal performance of your vehicles.
Chassis grease testing. The next aspect to consider when selecting your grease is how it performs during testing. Five main tests are used to analyze the performance of different heavy-duty chassis greases. These tests reveal important information about the efficiency of these greases:
- The Extreme Pressure Test measures the grease’s ability to carry heavy loads, which directly affects a component’s lifespan and the amount of downtime it will experience.
- The Mobility Test shows the mobility and pumpability of the grease, which in turn affects the grease’s ability to stay in place.
- The Water Washout Test reveals how the grease resists the effects of water. The better the washout resistance, the more likely the grease will prevent failure and increase service life.
- The Water Spray-Off Test shows how well the grease stays in place when exposed to direct water spray. If the grease resists spray-off, it reduces the chance of rust and corrosion.
- The Corrosion Test depicts how well the grease protects equipment from rust.
Lastly, relying on vendor and supplier partners who specialize in services for different lubricants can be beneficial in your decision-making process. Contact your supplier about choosing the right chassis grease for your needs, such as CITGO’s premium line of Mystik Heavy Duty Grease, for your optimized fleet operation.
The right chassis grease for your fleet needs. Knowing your fleet’s needs is an integral part of selecting the right chassis grease. While those needs may vary, there are common characteristics experienced across the board. It’s important to remember that fleet trucks need quality chassis grease that can perform well during both testing and implementation.
The best heavy-duty chassis grease for your needs is the one that has the best protection against heavy loads, weather conditions, and contaminations while fitting within your overall budget. Chassis grease is a significant investment, and you can make an effective and informed decision by having all the facts, guaranteeing your fleet trucks are operating as safely and efficiently as possible.
