on an Athearn BB today. After scraping off the Labelle grease which had hardened, I’ve decided to try out Super Lube on the gears inside the trucks. I figure if mechanics at work can use it to lubricate the sliders on brake calipers, I can use it inside the trucks of a model locomotive.
I’ll let you know how it is in a few months
Gordon
Which Super Lube grease did you use?
I experimented with ‘Ultra Disc Brake Caliper Lube’, a synthetic lubricant a few months ago. It worked quite well at first but it evaporates quickly leaving you with dry gears. I had tried it on several locos and got the same result on each one. I went back to using Dexron/Mercon ATF as a lube.
I have used that product for many years on caliper pins and slides. It is a specialized product which has a combination of anti-seize and water resistant lubricating properties.
Not sure why it would evaporate, but I have never used it as a substitute for Labelle grease.
I have been planning to use that same synthetic grease as a Labelle 106 substitute inside my gearboxes.
The main problem when choosing a non-hobby lubricant is plastic compatibility. Here is the plastic compatibility chart for Super Lube.
http://www.super-lube.com/files/pdfs/Super_Lube_Compatibility_Chart.pdf
As shown, delrin, nylon and others are all rated as Excellent compatibility. The only plastic which has a Good rating is polycarbonate.
The other product in this chart, the Super Lube silicone grease is not rated as well for delrin compatibility.
Let us know how it performs for you.
Jim,
I printed the list off & have it handy. I had taken a spare gear & dabbed some grease on it about a week ago & left it out. So far so good, but the results in the locomotive won’t be known for a while.
When I re-assemble the SOO Line loco & put it into service, I’ll run it for a month or so & disassemble it to see how the grease is working.
Gordon
Ok, finally got back to this.
Opened up the truck, the grease hasn’t hardened, hasn’t affected the plastic & the BB is still quiet & smooth at low speeds.
Success in my books
Gordon
