General Purpose Grease?

[mhorowit]

With the exception of anything to do with the trim pulleys....., I plan on using axle grease on all surfaces requiring grease (including bushings). Anyone see a problem? - Mike

[fearofpavement]

Re: General Purpose Grease?

What do you mean by axle grease? Wheel bearing grease? Lubricants have come a long way and the cheapest, worst grease one can buy these days will probably be considerably better than the best there was when these aircraft were built. Just be sure not to mix different types of grease. I believe many wheel bearing greases are lithium based.

[mhorowit]

Re: General Purpose Grease?

I believe many wheel bearing greases are lithium based.

Is that bad? - Mike

[fearofpavement]

Re: General Purpose Grease?

No, that's good. I was just referring to one of the "types" of greases out there. Many greases are compatible with each other but some are not so you don't want to mix "types" of grease. I think in a bushing, sleeve or whatever it wouldn't matter, in a roller bearing application, if you aren't sure what type of grease it was, remove it all and then use your favorite (or better yet what's recommended if it still exists...) Where mixing greases could really be an issue is in a situation like a propellor hub where grease is being added to existing grease. (not applicable to the Taylorcraft obviously)
Lubricants vary widely and there are a variety of them for different applications so just make sure that what you are using isn't going to create a problem with any seals or o-rings affected and so forth.

[Richard Boyer]

Re: General Purpose Grease?

There is a product out there called Tri-Flow. It is a teflon impregnated lubricant and is incredible. If it dries, it leaves a coating of teflon, and it doesn't attract dirt like your standard oil lubricants. I use that on my pulleys.

You can find it at most bicycle shops (Even Wilbur and Orville would use it!!)

Richard B.

[Len Petterson]

Re: General Purpose Grease?

I checked out the TRI FLOW's website looks like something I will try for the pullyes as well.
Keep in mind teflon and silicon on the fabric makes it impossible to paint the fabric agin!
So for application close to fabric, like rudder and elevator hinges, it becomes a NO NO! At this points the Taylorcraft manual recomends dry graphite anyway.
Thanks for the hint look like a great product, now just I have to find it!(;f
Len

[Richard Boyer]

Re: General Purpose Grease?

Len,

I found it quite plentiful and your local Bicycle shop.

Don't forget, that our manual was written in 1946. Although these are simple planes, and I really like to keep them simple.....the entire lubicration industry is COMPLETELY different and much more mature. Some of the products mentioned in the manual seem to create quite a mess, especially when dirt or dust is introduced.

On the flip side, Tri-flow isn't on the TCDS.......I also agree, keep it away from the fabric, but on my plane, there isn't any fabric on my hinges....