Shaft Lube

[M.M.]

Ok guys well i just finished installing my sweet .078 wire drive into my boat, using 5/32 brass tubing and no teflon liner. Now i have some questions. When i spin the wire i can feel/hear the metal on metal contact. So i want to get some good lube. What is the best to use? Oil or grease?

[M.M.]

No one lubes their drive shaft?

[G Doggett]

I'm old school and use a teflon liner because I don't believe in having metal to metal contact anywhere if you can avoid it.
It's probably from using AM radios for years in the past which are prone to interference from everything !
Even with the liner I still lube the shaft with grease ( Grim Racer Speed Grease) thinned with a little 30 grade oil.
Works for me.
Graham.

[M.M.]

I hear people talking about using oil. But how doi you do this? Wont it just run out the back. Or do you mix the oil and grease. I currently have been using just this stuff, designed for 1:1 boats:

http://www.leisureshopdirect.com/Marine/outboard_engines/Oil_Lubricants_and_Accessories/Quicksilver_2-4-C_with_Teflon.aspx

What oil should i thin it with, and how?

[Jeff Wohlt]

Walmart....boat section. Pennzoil Synthetic Wheel bearing grease. Then I use std old 3n1 oil to put drops down the shaft over the grease.

Even std lith grease is fine with drops of oil. This makes a nice slick lube in the tube.

I do the same on the stub shaft, thin grease coat and drops of oil.

I also used chainsaw chain lube....very sticky and won't fly off...made for serious running on chainsaws. I have a gallon because I have a saw.

I still like the grease with oil...seems much smoother.

[M.M.]

So can i use oil with the grease i have? And how much oil o you use?

Thanks

[Fluid]

Regardless of the lubricant you use, make certain that it has an extreme pressure additive in it. This is very important to reduce friction and extend wire life. If the lube container doesn't say extreme pressure or EP additive, don't use it on wire in a metal tube.

There is nothing wrong with metal-on-metal contact, it provides lower friction than a teflon liner does. As long as you use an appropriate lubricant you'll have low drag and long wire life. And you'll never have to replace a worn-out, wadded-up mess of teflon tubing either.



.

[sailr]

I use 50/50 combo of 30 wt oil and STP. The STP is really sticky and stays on the shaft. Some hot dog old timer racers taught me this trick.

[M.M.]

Thanks guys

Could i get some links

[M.M.]

Ok guys,

These should be all i need right.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...uestid=1857806

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...randName=Mobil