When changing the lubricating grease in a geared motor coupling, always apply a full coating of grease to the teeth of the coupling. Never fill the coupling housing completely with a grease gun due to expansion of the grease as the motor comes up to running temperature.This expansion of the grease will apply internal coupling pressure pushing the motor shaft off magnetic center and onto the thrust surface of your bearing, causing bearings to overheat and lead to early bearing failure.

Even after hand packing the coupling, the motor should be run up to operating temperature then shut down and the grease plug removed to allow excess grease and pressure to be released. (Wesley Jacobs, director of maintenance services, Missouri American Water Company)

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