No Graphite Grease Discussions?

[Ruminator]

I found no matches for graphite greases when I just did a search?
I work in a steelmill(33+ yrs.). At a coil annealing furnace location, they use a hi temp, hi graphite content grease to lube coil trays that go through the furnaces.

I am interested in finding the wheel bearing grease with the lowest rolling resistance for use in my vehicles, and boat trailer that meets the needed requirements.

Which greases fit these parameters? I used graphite to win a Pinewood Derby, I'm kind of surprised not to find any threads on them? School me please.

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[Jim]

I think solids like graphite are a no-no in ball or roller bearing. The can build on the surfaces and create high pressures. They are meant for sliding surfaces. However, my local Schaeffers rep told me that they use the Schaeffers grease with 5% moly all the time in roller bearings without problems. I think what you want is something that is waterproof and reversable.

 

[Ruminator]

Thanks Jim. I understand waterproof, but what does "reversable" mean?

Thanks.

 

[Jim]

Here's link to explain it.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/GREASE/sld036.htm

I have found that Schaeffers grease is about the best you can get and not very expensive.

 

[Ruminator]

Thanks for the link Jim, in reading Bob's pages on grease I missed that.

I am formulating my plan of action and Schaeffer products are definitely part of it after what I've been reading here.

 

[1sttruck]

Graphite handles hi temps better than moly but it's not recommended for general purpose use. Graphite seems to work well with plain bearings, and I've been spiking my 75w90 with it for use as a general purpose oil. It works well on an old plain bearing Dremel that I've abused since the '70s. Gunslik (speling ?), an older firearms lube, works well in some applications where grease or gear oil dry out due to rpms or heat. For regular wheel bearings a Ford spec'd grease seems to work well as several seem to have moly in them. I also use Mobil 1 grease, but don't use anything in a marine application.

Anyway, I like graphite too, but don't use it in wheel bearings, CV joints, etc.

 

[bruce381]

all above is correct solid lubes like graphite and moly are best for "sliding" plian bearings NOT roller or timken type.

look for a NLGI grade #1 without solids with the lowest vis base oil also with out polymers or "tack" you want a "buttery" type grease.

That will give the lowest "breakaway" torque or rolling resisistence.
bruce

 

[JohnBrowning]

I have used Moly EP grease since I was about 8 year's old. I had one set of OEM Timken Wheel Bearing ast over 16 year's and still spec.'ed out as new bearing useing nothing but Moly EP grease to pack them with. All grease have solids inthem the lithuim soap is a solid that is what makes the oil thick enough to be called a grease. Moly and Graphite are not going to hurt a wheel bearing at all andniether will teflon or krytox etc....... If this is a vechile with roller bearings I would use a good Moly EP grease and be done with it!! If this is a pine wood derby car use powdered graphite and go for broke!!!

 

[Ruminator]

Thanks for all of the input guys, good stuff here.

 

[Jaybird]

Thing about graphite greases...
Although they were at one time seen as good performers, they have too many downsides, IMO.
Graphite works much differently than moly does, in that the graphite alone will not produce any sort of lubricity. For graphite to be an effective lubricant, it must also be making links with moisture and oxygen during the work. Moly, works just fine on it's own.

Graphite must be accompanied by other components to be effective. The problem is that when graphite is accompanied by water (among other goodies), it can become a very antagonistic item as well. In the presence of water, graphite can be very corrosive. Especially to stainless steel, or brass and aluminum components.