I used Chrisco to grease bearings with good results.

[Carlostrece]

I'm not trying to click bait you guys. I just wanted to share this funny story about greasing low pressure, low temp bearings.

I'm handicapped and own 2 mobility scooters - both are Golden Buzzaround XLS-HD scooters. The S stands for Springs because it has coil spring suspension. I bought them new, 1 for me and 1 for my friend. He loved his scooter as much as I love mine, but sadly he died a few months later. His X wife gave his scooter to me. So that's why I have 2 identical scooters.

The headtube (steering) bearings are not sealed, they're down near the ground where dust and mud flies up, and the scooter manufacturer doesn't pack enough grease into them at the factory. So headtube bearings get destroyed within 2-4 years use (if driven outdoors, even on sidewalks).

A lot of mobility scooter driving seniors don't live long enough to be affected by this. i.e. - They might die before their scooter does. Those who live long enough to wear out their headtube bearings often just buy a new scooter instead of fixing the old one.

I'm 56 and handicapped. So I needed my scooters fixed. My cousin (retired auto mechanic) replaced my headtube bearings in both scooters. He did the more worn out scooter 1st. After he disassembled it, we discovered that the new bearings did not have enough grease on them. We didn't have any grease and the autostore was closed.

He borrowed some Chrisco (baking grease) from my elderly neighbor woman. He greased the headtube bearings with Chrisco and reassembled the scooter. We figured it just a temporary solution that would work until it wore out again and then we'd replace bearings again and next time use proper grease.

That was 3 years ago and it's still working perfectly. I expect to get at least 5 years use out of those bearings and Chrisco! Chrisco works fine for our low pressure, low temp needs. Even so, I do now have proper grease on hand for next time. The proper grease is automotive wheel bearing grease given to me as a gift by another neighbor who heard the story.

 

[eljefino]

Makes you wonder how they greased axles before petroleum was discovered 200 years ago. Probably some sort of rendered fat.

 

[MRC01]

... My cousin (retired auto mechanic) replaced my headtube bearings in both scooters. ... We didn't have any grease and the autostore was closed.

Inquiring minds want to know: how does a retired auto mechanic not have any grease?

.. That was 3 years ago and it's still working perfectly. I expect to get at least 5 years use out of those bearings and Chrisco! Chrisco works fine for our low pressure, low temp needs.

I believe it and am not surprised. Yet I would expect it to attract insects or other critters. They can smell that stuff a mile away.

I do now have proper grease on hand for next time. The proper grease is automotive wheel bearing grease given to me as a gift by another neighbor who heard the story.

Good neighbor, time to invite your cousin for another visit.

 

[Thebigm]

I'm not trying to click bait you guys. I just wanted to share this funny story about greasing low pressure, low temp bearings.

I'm handicapped and own 2 mobility scooters - both are Golden Buzzaround XLS-HD scooters. The S stands for Springs because it has coil spring suspension. I bought them new, 1 for me and 1 for my friend. He loved his scooter as much as I love mine, but sadly he died a few months later. His X wife gave his scooter to me. So that's why I have 2 identical scooters.

The headtube (steering) bearings are not sealed, they're down near the ground where dust and mud flies up, and the scooter manufacturer doesn't pack enough grease into them at the factory. So headtube bearings get destroyed within 2-4 years use (if driven outdoors, even on sidewalks).

A lot of mobility scooter driving seniors don't live long enough to be affected by this. i.e. - They might die before their scooter does. Those who live long enough to wear out their headtube bearings often just buy a new scooter instead of fixing the old one.

I'm 56 and handicapped. So I needed my scooters fixed. My cousin (retired auto mechanic) replaced my headtube bearings in both scooters. He did the more worn out scooter 1st. After he disassembled it, we discovered that the new bearings did not have enough grease on them. We didn't have any grease and the autostore was closed.

He borrowed some Chrisco (baking grease) from my elderly neighbor woman. He greased the headtube bearings with Chrisco and reassembled the scooter. We figured it just a temporary solution that would work until it wore out again and then we'd replace bearings again and next time use proper grease.

That was 3 years ago and it's still working perfectly. I expect to get at least 5 years use out of those bearings and Chrisco! Chrisco works fine for our low pressure, low temp needs. Even so, I do now have proper grease on hand for next time. The proper grease is automotive wheel bearing grease given to me as a gift by another neighbor who heard the story.

Crisco

 

[GSCJR]

Crisco

for ChrisFix

 

[dogememe]

Sad to hear subpar quality on something that’s likely so expensive. Your explanation on why it probably doesn’t matter in many cases is rather sad.

But I got a good laugh out of how well the Cisco grease works! Edit: autocorrect got me, but I’m leaving it because it’s a funny mistake. If it was Cisco grease it would cost $10000 to license every year!

 

[Carlostrece]

Inquiring minds want to know: how does a retired auto mechanic not have any grease?

That was my bad. He lives 30 miles away. He came to my home to do the work. I told him I had everything we'd need. I assumed the new bearing kit would be pregreased. When he opened the package, we discovered the new bearings were almost dry. There was not even enough grease to hold the ball bearings in the cups.

The Chrisco worked great because it held the balls in place during assembly and it's been plenty adequate for lubrication for 3 years and still going strong.

I believe it and am not surprised. Yet I would expect it to attract insects or other critters. They can smell that stuff a mile away.

My scooter is parked indoors between uses. There's no bugs around, but the neighbors' cats and dogs take a keen interest in the headtube area. No harm done though.

Good neighbor, time to invite your cousin for another visit.

Why redo it properly when it's still working perfectly? We can redo it properly when it wears out again, which I expect will be in 2-3 years down the road. Replacement headtube bearings only cost $10, cups another $20.

 

[eljefino]

Sad to hear subpar quality on something that’s likely so expensive. Your explanation on why it probably doesn’t matter in many cases is rather sad.

I blew out the handle on my crutches by, you know, walking with them. Medical equipment is such a scam-- for what you pay, it should be durable. The threaded rod that I put my weight on was about 5mm or 3/16".

 

[Carlostrece]

Makes you wonder how they greased axles before petroleum was discovered 200 years ago. Probably some sort of rendered fat.

I assume you're joking? Before petroleum was available, whale grease was used. Before whale grease was used, pig fat and beef tallow were used. Pioneers in the West continued using pig and/or beef fat long after whale fat was available in the East. Eventually petroleum oil and grease replaced those others.

That ^ applies to more than just wagon axles. Same applies to factories and sawmills too (whether water wheel or steam powered).

I'm not an expert on grease, but I am a history buff. You probably already knew the above.

I'm not surprised that Chrisco works for my application. What surprises me is how competently effective the Chrisco is as a low pressure, low temp lube. I expected it to work adequately for short term use, but it's working very well longterm.

 

[dogememe]

I blew out the handle on my crutches by, you know, walking with them. Medical equipment is such a scam-- for what you pay, it should be durable. The threaded rod that I put my weight on was about 5mm or 3/16".

That sounds extremely frustrating. I have nothing against companies making profits, but you deserve a good experience for the money you pay for that stuff.

 

[TomYoung]

Crisco is not correct as a substitute for proper grease in this case.

 

[MRC01]

My scooter is parked indoors between uses. There's no bugs around, but the neighbors' cats and dogs take a keen interest in the headtube area. No harm done though.

I'd be concerned about it attracting ants. I've seen ant infestations in houses caused by even small amounts of sugar or fat they can smell. Which is why I'd invite my cousin back to grease it.

 

[Carlostrece]

I know a guy who is a mobility scooter mechanic. I told him about the Chrisco and he LOL'd and said an adequate amount of Chrisco is better than the inadequate amount of offbrand unrated auto grease the Chinese scooter manufacturer uses during factory install. He said Chrisco is an upgrade because my cousin used an adequate amount.

 

[Carlostrece]

Crisco is not correct as a substitute for proper grease in this case.

If/when the bearings wear out again, we can redo it properly next time. That was the plan 3 years ago, but so far no signs of wear and I drive the scooter a lot of miles all over town.

 

[PontiacHO]

It is better than no lubricant. The floors at any restaurant that uses Crisco in their fryers can never be completely free from the slick that it causes. I say good on y’all for using what you had.

 

[Carlostrece]

I'd be concerned about it attracting ants. I've seen ant infestations in houses caused by even small amounts of sugar or fat they can smell. Which is why I'd invite my cousin back to grease it.

My scooter is parked in my condo above my garage. My floor is 12 feet above ground and the garage below me has a concrete floor and walls. I rarely ever see an insect. It's been 3 years and still no ants.

 

[Kira]

It's been 3 years and still no ants.

...and then, one day....

 

[Carlostrece]

...and then, one day....

I'm an optomist. At least I try to be optimistic.

 

[Carlostrece]

It is better than no lubricant. The floors at any restaurant that uses Crisco in their fryers can never be completely free from the slick that it causes. I say good on y’all for using what you had.

Right. I assume it does the same to our arteries when we eat it. Coats and never goes away. But in the case of my steertube bearings that's a good thing.

 

[Langanobob]

Compounded steam cylinder oils that are blended from petroleum and animal fat are still in use. The fat evidently performs better under hot and wet conditions than the best petroleum oil.