Can I use Vaseline instead of grease?

[Guest]

Hello Alex, I was just cleaning my bearing balls and I realized that I don't have waterproof grease in handy, so can I use Vaseline (pure petroleum jelly) instead for now until I get a waterproof grease?

Thank you, Ghaleb

[Alex Ramon]

Hi Ghaleb,

As far as I know Vaseline is not a good bearing lubricant:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=99455

I'd recommend picking up some regular bike grease, a must have for any home repair shop!

[james456]

(07-19-2008, 07:10 PM)Guest Wrote:  Hello Alex, I was just cleaning my bearing balls and I realized that I don't have waterproof grease in handy, so can I use Vaseline (pure petroleum jelly) instead for now until I get a waterproof grease?

Thank you, Ghaleb

Hi Ghaleb
I was recently stuck without any proper grease to put in my rear wheel bearings on my cycle, I used vaseline as a stop gap measure, the cycle wheel ran very well with vaseline, a few weeks later i stripped out the rear wheel to put in proper cycle grease and the vaseline was still there with the bearings in good condition. In my experience, vaseline works as a temporary measure, not sure about a long term thing as I don't know the scientific properties of it and have not tested it long term. James

[GeorgeET]

Vaseline will melt when hot. From friction.

Use a grease. Automotive wheel bearing grease will work fine, or marine waterproof grease. Even better.

Bicycle greases when available. Although I'd still use marine grease myself. Got bunch of it for my motorcycle.

[nfmisso]

+1 on the boat trailer wheel bearing grease. Inexpensive and lasts a very long time.