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TECHNICAL MOTOBRICK WRENCHING In Remembrance of Inge K. => The Motobrick Workshop => Topic started by: GasStation on March 15, 2014, 04:14:37 PM
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Just changed my steering bearings due notched races/bearings. What does the membership recommend as the best bearing grease for the steering head bearings?
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I used a good quality water-resisitant general purpose grease.
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You want something high temperature and waterproof.
Somewhere I'd seen a suggestion to use brake caliper grease, which may make sense. It's nice, thick, high temperature, waterproof grease with a healthy dose of moly, etc.
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High temp for the steering bearings?
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Fast bike you know.......it's the friction when the air molecules hits the steering head....almost glowing.
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High temp for the steering bearings?
High pressure yes, but high temp? I don't think it's too critical, any good moly-wheel-bearing grease should work
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Logic for the high temp is to be absolutely sure to prevent runs.
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"Fast bike you know.......it's the friction when the air molecules hits the steering head....almost glowing."
Geez Inge, you crack me up! :hehehe
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I used the red Wheel Bearing grease I found at O'Reillys.
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How is the Honda Moly 60 paste as a choice for steering bearings?
What about Guard Dog 525 Moly Grease?
What about the BMW motorcycle grease Kluberplex BEM 34-132 for steering head bearings? No one seems to like the product from the motherland. :dunno2:
(http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h448/ghyber/IMG_0026_zps1f5790e3.jpg) (http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/ghyber/media/IMG_0026_zps1f5790e3.jpg.html)
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Personally, I wouldn't choose anything with any moly content for roller or ball bearings. My own choice for steering head bearings would be LM lithium based high temp/pressure grease. If 'creep' and subsequent lack of lubrication is anything of a concern, build a relube into your service schedule - it's not like it's a massive job to do.
Everything I've read / been taught has indicated the following:
Molybdenum based lubricants are designed for sliding contact bearings (plain bearings, splined shafts and the like) - the molybdenum leaves a deposit on the surface which acts as a 'dry' lubricant, not relying on any other movement to distribute it.
In a roller/ball bearing the moly builds up on the contact surfaces, decreasing the very fine but essential clearance between ball/roller and race. In a low speed bearing (such as a steering bearing) you'll likely get away with it for quite a while before the deposits cause the bearing to feel 'notchy' - whether this will happen before the bearing is otherwise worn out I don't know...
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Valvoline makes a grease with moly in it.
I would think they know what they are doing. I know there are probably many different moly grease formulations, but this one looks ok to me.
Below is taken directly from product information from Valvoline website.
http://www.valvoline.com/products/brands/valvoline/grease/65 (http://www.valvoline.com/products/brands/valvoline/grease/65)
VALVOLINE MULTI-PURPOSE for Ford, Lincoln & Mercury is a superior general purpose NLGI #2 grade lithium complex grease with molybdenum disulfide. It is designed to provide excellent extreme pressure and antiwear protection for wheel bearings, chassis, suspension systems, steering linkage and universal joints. Valvoline Multi-Purpose for Ford, Lincoln, & Mercury is recommended as a disc brake wheel bearing lubricant for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. It meets Ford’s specification M1C75B, MACK MG-C Longlife, and NLGI LB quality requirements.
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Personally, I wouldn't choose anything with any moly content for roller or ball bearings. My own choice for steering head bearings would be LM lithium based high temp/pressure grease. If 'creep' and subsequent lack of lubrication is anything of a concern, build a relube into your service schedule - it's not like it's a massive job to do.
Everything I've read / been taught has indicated the following:
Molybdenum based lubricants are designed for sliding contact bearings (plain bearings, splined shafts and the like) - the molybdenum leaves a deposit on the surface which acts as a 'dry' lubricant, not relying on any other movement to distribute it.
In a roller/ball bearing the moly builds up on the contact surfaces, decreasing the very fine but essential clearance between ball/roller and race. In a low speed bearing (such as a steering bearing) you'll likely get away with it for quite a while before the deposits cause the bearing to feel 'notchy' - whether this will happen before the bearing is otherwise worn out I don't know...
I heeded PDG's comments and some others who responded to me via pm. I invested the time to disassemble everything again and after two cans of brake cleaner, the Honda Moly 60 is gone. I used the tube of BMW Kluberplex on the bearings.