The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: Justin B. on May 04, 2009, 10:34:36 AM

Title: All synthetic greases are not created equal...
Post by: Justin B. on May 04, 2009, 10:34:36 AM

I had, for years, used Mobil 1 grease in my grease gun when lubing swingarm bearings.  It didn't seem to get stiff and separate with age like dino stuff.

Last time I bought grease Auto Zone was out of the Mobil 1 so I bought Castrol Syntec synthetic grease, I thought all was good.  That's what I get for thinking...  >:(

Yesterday I took the grease gun to the "Junkyard LS" and nothing came out.  I pumped the crap out of it, but nothing.  I thought this a bit strange as I thought I hadn't used much sine putting in the new tube a couple years ago but I pulled the cartridge out anyway.  What I found was about a half a tube of grease with the consistency of stiff modeling clay!

Just a heads-up...

Title: Re: All synthetic greases are not created equal...
Post by: Bob_Roller on May 04, 2009, 10:59:50 AM

I've been experimenting with a grease that is used on our 737's, Aeroshell 33, I placed about a cup in a plastic container with a cover on it, left it outside from mid May to the first week of October last year, never separated, that's with being exposed to 100 F.+ for a majority of the time.

Also put it a freezer that is used to store composite repair materials, it's kept at about -5 F., after 4 weeks in the freezer, I could stick my finger into it, no noticeable thickening.

This is what I used on my alternate steering head bearing lubrication, last week.

Title: Re: All synthetic greases are not created equal...
Post by: nhmaf on May 04, 2009, 12:14:49 PM

That sounds like really good grease, Bob.

Probably unobtainable to those who don't buy aircraft supply stuff regularly - where would you recommend getting it?  Is it as expensive
as kryptonite?

I go through a cartridge of grease a year in my grease gun - mostly due to the tractor and implements that need frequent greasing.  I use higher grade grease when I can - the tractor/woodchipper, etc. don't care so much as they get greased every 8-10 hours of operating time, but the bikes and cars are another story.

Title: Re: All synthetic greases are not created equal...
Post by: montmil on May 04, 2009, 12:20:20 PM

Mike, Go to the website catalogs for these two outfits. You may find it. I dunno, but they do have lots of supplies.   Monte

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/

http://www.wicksaircraft.com/

Title: Re: All synthetic greases are not created equal...
Post by: Bob_Roller on May 04, 2009, 12:24:20 PM

I did a general search, and found 14 oz. tubes that are inserted into a grease gun for $14US per tube.

Doesn't sound like it's for wheel bearing type application, just general usage .