spring motor grease

[ptjw]

hello all,

what sort of grease do you guys use for the springs? i went to my local hardware store and they only had a black-brown grease from castrol which i used on the springs of my HMV 102, and now each time it plays, a kick/jump could be heard/felt every now and then as it winds down...

i suspect that the grease is not viscous enough, and maybe causing the springs to stick together and hence the kick/jump as the springs separate during the wind down,

i don't know what kind of grease is the castrol one, silicone/graphite/lithium but it was the only grease available to me at that time...what kind of grease do you guys recommend?

thanks!

[alang]

Well, originally they used a mixture of vaseline and graphite flakes, which works great, but is a terrible mess. I mostly use colorless molybdenum grease from the automotive department and never had any bad experience with it.
Regarding your kick/jump, I don't think that's the new grease. I assume that you did not get all the baked on old grease off when you cleaned the springs, that's enough to get sticky again with the new grease. The same happened to me with my first spring cleaning (excuse the pun). What I do now is I let the spring soak for half an hour in whatever solvent I use, then give it a good brushing with steel wool. The soaking makes all the difference in the world.
Andreas

[Henry]

When I had my VV-XI spring motor CLA'd they apparently used some kind of heavy automotive product ("axle grease"?). If I were doing it, I'd use good old white lithium grease (the stuff called "Alemite," used, among other things, to lubricate steam locomotive bearings). I bought a tube of it years ago and it has lasted a long time because I use it sparingly. I've seen it sold in hardware stores in spray cans. Don't know if it's available in other packaging like tubes or cans (the kind with lids!).

[Victrolaman]

White lithium grease for sure

[AZ*]

I use wheel bearing grease from the automotive store available in one pound tubs. Springs that I greased 20 years ago are still working fine with no bumps or thumps. I am currently using Mobil 1 synthetic brand, and my machines all run perfectly.

[chem_jv]

I agree with AZ* I prefer to repack my springs with a generous amount of Mobil 1 synthetic grease. It’s designed to be a long lasting grease that will survive very harsh conditions. Like others have suggested it is a Lithium complex as well. It’s not to thick as some of the other greases that I have seen used. Mobil 1 Synthetic Grease has excellent structural stability. The synthetic base oil used in Mobil 1 Synthetic Grease gives it excellent performance properties at both high and low temperatures. High structural shear stability coupled with high performance base oil makes Mobil 1 Synthetic an outstanding grease. My motors all run very smoothly and very quiet. On my VV-VI you cannot even hear the motor running.
Type: Lithium Complex
Structure: Smooth; Slight Tack
Color: Red
Wide Operating range: -40 C to 150 C (-40F to 302 F)
Excellent resistance to rust and corrosion: Longer life of bearings and chassis lube points
Outstanding structural stability: Ability to provide effective lubrication over extended periods of time
Excellent wear protection under heavy loads: Provides bearing protection while cornering and other conditions where bearings temporarily experience heavy loads.
Excellent resistance to water wash: Withstands the effects of water washout from heavy rainstorms or other high water wash events.

[Henry]

My main objection to what I have called "axle grease" (above post) is that it slowly leaks out of the spring barrels and falls onto the cast iron part of the horn, where it makes an untidy condition. As far as function is concerned, it does the job.

[JerryVan]

i suspect that the grease is not viscous enough, and maybe causing the springs to stick together

As a small point, I believe you mean to say that the grease is too viscous. The more viscous a liquid is, the thicker it is.

[MicaMonster]

The grease I use is 70% petroleum jelly, 30% #2 flake graphite.

[edisonphonoworks]

I vote for mobile 1 synthetic,for mainsprings, and castrol synthetic 40 weight oil on governor pinions, it is what I use on my shaver, and Triumph.