Best grease for gearboxes?

[mud4fun]

Guys, can anybody recommend a grease for use in Tamiya gearboxes which minimises power loss thru the tranny? I had to resort to using automotive lithium grease over the weekend as I'd run out of anything else and it is so thick that I lose quite a bit of speed and also battery doesn't last as long! The tamiya grease seems OK but never have enough plus I'm sure there is probably even better out there. Any help most appreciated.

[wriggleandgiggle]

I use 3-in-1 oil in the Pajero and have excellent result. I change it often to keep it clean. The truck seems to like it and shows no signs of melted gears etc. There was a marked improvement over using Tamiya grease too.

The downsides are you need to have a fairly well sealed gearbox and even then it still drips a little.

The Pajero is alot more quiet running oil and I quite enjoy giving it an oil change in the gearbox and rear axle. I intend on fitting drain/fill plugs to save me having to take the gearbox/axle apart to change it. I flush it out with WD-40 to wash out the cases.

I fill the case so that the lowest gear has about 4-5mm of oil covering it and rely on 'splash lubrication' to protect the other gears.

[mud4fun]

LOL, I do the same in my SRB's, but using normal EP90 gear oil. The nice thing about the SRB gearbox is that they can be easily sealed, still leak a bit but the oil last quite a while. Was thinking of the thunderdragon in this case though and it even leaks grease so I doubt the oil would last too long!! []

[wriggleandgiggle]

Another option is to run the transmission with no lubrication, but I wouldn't recommend it on an off roader for obvious reasons. I remember once (a long time ago) I used margarine in a Subaru Brat out of sheer desperation for some lube, it worked ok but smelt like toast after a good thrash....

[mud4fun]

No thanks! I'll stick to salted butter thanks - don't like that healthy options stuff []

[Tamiya01478]

I've always used vaseline, cheap, doesn't leak, and I have never had a problem with it yet.

[Shodog]

I have used bicycle bearing grease in my r/c's for years. Brands I have used are Park, Bullseye and Phil Wood. They are not so thick that they gum up the gears but not so thin that they fly off.

Jim

[mud4fun]

Isn't there any specialist 'super low friction' greases for RC gearboxes available? I need something quite thin and light but sticks very well.....what do the pro's use?

[HunterZero]

For an offroader, I swear by a modest amount of molybdenum grease for gearboxes and driveshaft joints. Just don't use too much.

- HZ

[mud4fun]

Cheers HZ!

[terry.sc]

quote:Originally posted by mud4fun

Isn't there any specialist 'super low friction' greases for RC gearboxes available? I need something quite thin and light but sticks very well.....what do the pro's use?

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For the best r/c gear lube check out Aero-Car Super Speed Gear & Differential Lube http://www.aerocarlubricants.com/RC/ Low friction and no real mess like normal greases, but a bit hard to find. Great stuff, but I order it from Tower Hobbies.

If I don't have any left I use Team Associated gear lube for just about anything that isn't open to the elements. I use a graphite lube for drive joints as it does not attract dirt.

[mud4fun]

Many thanks terry.sc!

[malcolm(2)]

I used to run my TA03 and TA02's with the gearboxes dry. The only gears that wear significantly are those horrible aluminium intermediates. Replace themn with the lightweight plastic one's if they exist and all is well. Must get some for my F201.

The Tamiya ceramic grease is as good as any and used to be widely available. Just don't use very much. Losi used to do a very viscous silicone grease for the 'Hydradrive' on the XX buggy. That is an excellent coating for the gears, is really makes them run quiet. Associated recommend the use of ball diff. grease for the same job. Of course it induces a bit of drag so for best run time let 'em rattle!

[Pellandine-sports]

I've always used Castrol LM25. It is thick and will cause drag, but only if you use too much. With this stuff you only need a smear. Run the it at full throttle on the bench for a minute or two and it's evenly distributed over the moving parts. Unless you are off roading or on the beach you will not need to split your transmission again. Works for me, and my Apline 110 which has been a class winner in its life time.

[mud4fun]

Hi PS, I have been using Castrol LM25. I just found it was causing too much drag and noise. I just rebuilt a gearbox and used 3in1 light oil instead just to see the difference which is marginal, most noticeable on acceleration from rest. Battery life did increase significantly though, from 76 laps to 83 laps of a simple test oval circuit, nearly 10%!!!

[Top Force Racer]

I use 2 different types of lubes in my drive train. For my ball differentials, I use Associated's ball diff lube. It's made with silica and a bit gritty. This texture helps prevent skidding of the balls and allows them to roll instead. For gears and gear diffs, I like to use green slime, which is teflon impregnated synthetic grease. I also use it for building shocks.

[Tamiyabo]

There is a product called "white lightning" you can get it at any bicycle shop.Its a teflon based liquid when dries it leaves a light waxy coating,and dirt cant stick to the gears.Ive used it for years with excellent results![]