BPW warns against counterfeit grease products

The axle and suspension systems manufacturer BPW has warned operators about the dangers of using counterfeit grease products. Selecting the correct grease to lubricate taper roller bearings is key to ensuring bearing life is optimised. 

BPW only recommends ECO-Li Plus grease. This is an anti-friction, lithium complex blue grease which can protect and extend the life of the hub unit and its components. The grease can withstand temperatures from -30 to 130°C as well as peak temperatures of 160°C. 

The company says a range of bearing greases are currently available which resemble or mimic the appearance of BPW’s ECO-Li Plus grease. While products can look and feel very similar, these counterfeit items do not meet  BPW’s performance and safety standards. Using greases that do not offer the desired characteristics can compromise the integrity and functionality of BPW running gear. This can put a vehicle’s operation and maintenance at risk. 

On top of selecting the right grease it must be correctly applied to achieve the best result. BPW recommends workshops utilise its grease applicator kit which minimises greasing being a messy job. The applicator also ensures the right amount of grease is applied. Too much grease is wasteful and requires clean up time while too little grease can cause premature bearing wear. 

The applicator kit includes a base to hold the bearing cone and a closure plate. On the back of the closure plate a standard grease nipple is used to feed the grease through. The right amount of grease is fed into the bearing come and fills the cavities between the closure plate and the base. This prevents waste and decreases the chance of contamination. 

With the correct application and grease product used, BPW says its components should maintain optimum efficiency and reliability as well as operating safely and smoothly.