Abstract: In order to study the rheological properties of lithium lubricating grease systematically, the lithium lubricating greases were prepared using 12-hydroxy stearic acid lithium soap thickener and mineral lubricating base oil. The influence of base oil viscosity, thickening agent dosage and temperature on the thixotropy of lithium base grease, storage modulus, strain amplitude, the apparent viscosity, and the corresponding mechanisms were examined. The results show that with increase of soap content in lithium lubricating grease, the apparent viscosity and elastic potential energy increase while the yield stress shows the tendency of lowered after first increase. The 400SN lithium grease is the slowest one to restore its original structure, and that the yield stress and apparent viscosity increase with the soap dosage increasing, while the structure recovery rate decreases. Lithium grease possesses a linear sticky play area. Beyond the yield stress, the shear thinning appears. At the flow pour point, the grease shows its viscous flow properties.