Best lubricant for squeaky wheelbarrow wheel axle

[nomas]

That rod should not be turning . The bearing in the hub is frozen .

 

[Langanobob]

To go the extra mile for your neighbor you could also soak some linseed oil into the dried out wood frame members.

 

[97prizm]

I was about to buy a new wheelbarrow when an older neighbor offered to let me have his if I could fix it up. It had been left outside for years. The tire was flat, and the tube had a split in it. I took it apart, got that all fixed up, and put it back together, only to find that it is excruciatingly loud when rolling it. I guess it's technically a bushing, or rather just a bare rod on the end of the axle that rests in a simple metal cup on each side. (So maybe it's lacking a bushing then?)

Representative photo:

View attachment 274119

This seems like something normies would use WD-40 for, and that seems like the wrong answer.

What say you guys? WD-40 Silicone spray (not regular WD-40--I use it to lubricate the car windows)? I use Valvoline Palladium moly NLGI grease for my driveshaft on the truck. That seems like it would be a dirt magnet in an obviously dirty environment. I could take it back apart and squirt some grease in the rests. There's obviously no zerk or any way to keep dirt out.

I just want the best option that will require the least maintenance. Maybe spraying some of the silicone spray in there without having to take it apart is the best optin. This is obviously a pretty decrepit wheelbarrow that has one bolt rusted through the tray so it's a real treat to turn. But it works for hauling the lady's potting soil and geraniums around the yard, so it's doing all that's required of it. Keeps me from carrying them around. I just want to not need to wear ear muffs all time I'm moving it. Seriously, dogs started barking any time I rolled it.

I use white lithium grease on my push mower axles. This should work well for you. WD-40 (Water Displacement)

 

[JHZR2]

It's a simple bracket. Like not that much more substantial than a shelving bracket. It's like bent sheet metal. I can take it off completely. It just holds the axle and connects the wheel to the wood frame.

I’d take it off, clean all parts, and then lubricate with a heavy oil/gear oil.

Grease will pick up all kinds of dirt. Oil will too, but you can have a thinner coat. On the contrary, grease may be able to seal out dirt if it can be done the right way.

 

[Mainia]

I would put some Valvoline Restore & Protect 5W-30 in there to help clean it up and lubricate it.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

I use Schaeffer’s 238 Ultra Supreme Waterproof Grease. It’s also like 5% moly. I use this on all my outdoor equipment that requires grease; pretty much everything besides automotive wheel bearings since Schaeffer’s says it’s a bit too tacky for that. On the outside of your axle for that thing, absolutely.

https://www.schaefferoil.com/238-ultra-supreme.html

 

[Hohn]

I use two greases: if has rollers, it gets Lucas Xtra green. If it just slides, it gets Valvoline Synthetic.

I post only to point out that sometimes it’s time better spent to condition the surface BENEATH the lube rather than worry about the lube.

Flex Hone brushes are superb for cleaning up any bore. Amazon carries almost the whole line.

 

[tired]

That rod should not be turning . The bearing in the hub is frozen .

Yeah it is an elderly wheelbarrow that doesn't have much life left. I didn't know the condition of the tray before taking this project on as it was filled with old dirt. I dumped it after I fixed the wheel (couldn't move it until then). It's rusted out, and one of the bolts attaching it to the wood frame is completely rusted through the bottom of the tray. Oh well. Need to drill that out and put a new one in a really big washer. Might get a few seasons out of it. Beats $120 for a new one I suppose.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

This is what I did to my wheel barrows. The rims have bearings in them. I tapped the rims and stuck a zerks in them all. Every season, I hit the zerks with a good dose of marine grease, till it oozes out of the bearings. No squeaks. Then I put tubes in all the tires, later on in the season... The UV from the sun just eats up a tubeless tire. Then on occasion during the season, I hit the tires with tire shine, ( don't wipe it off), and that helps block the UV light. Yes, I'm retired and do a lot of putzin around in the yard , if I'm not playing with a car, or doing some other project..I can't stand a squeaky wheel either. Drives me nutz ( although I'm probably 1/2 nutz already )

 

[97prizm]

I was about to buy a new wheelbarrow when an older neighbor offered to let me have his if I could fix it up. It had been left outside for years. The tire was flat, and the tube had a split in it. I took it apart, got that all fixed up, and put it back together, only to find that it is excruciatingly loud when rolling it. I guess it's technically a bushing, or rather just a bare rod on the end of the axle that rests in a simple metal cup on each side. (So maybe it's lacking a bushing then?)

Representative photo:

View attachment 274119

This seems like something normies would use WD-40 for, and that seems like the wrong answer.

What say you guys? WD-40 Silicone spray (not regular WD-40--I use it to lubricate the car windows)? I use Valvoline Palladium moly NLGI grease for my driveshaft on the truck. That seems like it would be a dirt magnet in an obviously dirty environment. I could take it back apart and squirt some grease in the rests. There's obviously no zerk or any way to keep dirt out.

I just want the best option that will require the least maintenance. Maybe spraying some of the silicone spray in there without having to take it apart is the best optin. This is obviously a pretty decrepit wheelbarrow that has one bolt rusted through the tray so it's a real treat to turn. But it works for hauling the lady's potting soil and geraniums around the yard, so it's doing all that's required of it. Keeps me from carrying them around. I just want to not need to wear ear muffs all time I'm moving it. Seriously, dogs started barking any time I rolled it.

White lithium grease.

 

[Revving2Redline]

The first thing oily you grab on the shelf will work just fine. You're trying to stop a squeak. Not push a V-8 to 400,000 miles.

I push a V4, to 400,000 miles, that could all with my right foot on the accelerator

 

[rstcso]

Just wanted to update people. Appreciate all the responses. I took it apart again and greased the axle and the little bracket with the Valvoline moly NLGI grease. It worked great. Instantly silent. We'll see how long it lasts. I needed an excuse to prime my new grease gun so I can re-grease my drive shaft.

@tired Such a shame you posted the squeak is no longer something you need help with, because I love reading the suggestions. Thank goodness many hadn't noticed and continue posting. It didn't stop me, either!

What brand of inner tube did you use? From where did you source it?

 

[tired]

@tired Such a shame you posted the squeak is no longer something you need help with, because I love reading the suggestions. Thank goodness many hadn't noticed and continue posting. It didn't stop me, either!

What brand of inner tube did you use? From where did you source it?

It actually doesn’t have a tube. The guy told me wrong when I picked it up. They just replaced the tire. Tubeless.