Tid Bit. Cheep grease isn't worth it.

B

Bob Dunahugh

New member
Sep 17, 2012
2,784
4
3
I'm not into the makeup of greases. My reference is from observations ONLY. Others can cover that.
Owned many Bobcat skid stir end loaders. Over many years. Still have one. Use it all the time. I observed that if I used cheap grease on it. I'd have to grease all joints. About every 2 hours. If I used the most expensive grease. I could run all day. Those joints on the Bobcat. Are much like the pins that our GMC's have at the rear. It didn't seem to be related to brand. Or type of grease. Just cost.
I don't think that GMC owner pay enough attention to those rear pins. I've heard owners say. That they grease their rear pins every other oil change. That's CRAZY to me. If you have EVER changed those pins. It's a HUGE pain in the ass. And all other parts that you have. I have a grease gun that I always have on board. And give each of the 8-grease fittings. One pump every 1000 miles. The front suspension. Every oil change. It's a 5-minute task. And CHEEP.
Bob Dunahugh
78 Royale since 2003
 
I use a Dow molybdenum grease. Not sure the exact one off hand.
I learned that the machinery i work on lasts forever with it.
Other lesser greases sometime only minutes.
--
1977 Kingsley 455 as stock as it gets except lots of Ragusa parts
 
For just normal fittings I always buy 3% moly grease.

For bearings that might get very warm, I always use Valvoline SynPower or Valvoline Full Synthetic Moly-fortified Gray grease.

I never use and recommend against Mobil One Synthetic due to it's propensity to separate the lubricant from the thickner (Usually Lithium) when left
sitting over time. I have not checked to see what Mobile one uses as a thickener.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
We all need to be cautious when selecting our greases. Some work better than others, but comparability is also important. Mixing incompatible greases can cause poor lubrication and premature wear.

Here is a good link to help explain the compatibility issues. You can also simply search “grease thickener compatibility”

https://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/30727/determine-grease-compatibility

Les Burt
Montreal
'75 Eleganza 26'

>
> For just normal fittings I always buy 3% moly grease.
>
> For bearings that might get very warm, I always use Valvoline SynPower or Valvoline Full Synthetic Moly-fortified Gray grease.
>
> I never use and recommend against Mobil One Synthetic due to it's propensity to separate the lubricant from the thickner (Usually Lithium) when left
> sitting over time. I have not checked to see what Mobile one uses as a thickener.
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Bob, how did you know you needed to grease every 2 hours?
________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Les Burt via Gmclist
Sent: Friday, July 10, 2020 5:42 AM
To: gmclist
Cc: Les Burt
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Tid Bit. Cheep grease isn't worth it.

We all need to be cautious when selecting our greases. Some work better than others, but comparability is also important. Mixing incompatible greases can cause poor lubrication and premature wear.

Here is a good link to help explain the compatibility issues. You can also simply search “grease thickener compatibility”

https://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/30727/determine-grease-compatibility

Les Burt
Montreal
'75 Eleganza 26'

>
> For just normal fittings I always buy 3% moly grease.
>
> For bearings that might get very warm, I always use Valvoline SynPower or Valvoline Full Synthetic Moly-fortified Gray grease.
>
> I never use and recommend against Mobil One Synthetic due to it's propensity to separate the lubricant from the thickner (Usually Lithium) when left
> sitting over time. I have not checked to see what Mobile one uses as a thickener.
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Keith. The joint would start to squeak. Metal to metal. Bob Dunahugh

________________________________
From: Bob Dunahugh
Sent: Thursday, July 9, 2020 7:39 PM
To: gmclist
Subject: Tid Bit. Cheep grease isn't worth it.

I'm not into the makeup of greases. My reference is from observations ONLY. Others can cover that.
Owned many Bobcat skid stir end loaders. Over many years. Still have one. Use it all the time. I observed that if I used cheap grease on it. I'd have to grease all joints. About every 2 hours. If I used the most expensive grease. I could run all day. Those joints on the Bobcat. Are much like the pins that our GMC's have at the rear. It didn't seem to be related to brand. Or type of grease. Just cost.
I don't think that GMC owner pay enough attention to those rear pins. I've heard owners say. That they grease their rear pins every other oil change. That's CRAZY to me. If you have EVER changed those pins. It's a HUGE pain in the ass. And all other parts that you have. I have a grease gun that I always have on board. And give each of the 8-grease fittings. One pump every 1000 miles. The front suspension. Every oil change. It's a 5-minute task. And CHEEP.
Bob Dunahugh
78 Royale since 2003
 
After 2 events I stopped buying Mobil 1 grease. Binding in upper intermediate shaft CV. And dripping red oil on top of my shoes and shop floor every
time I picked up the grease gun. Synpower has been renamed Valvoline Full Synthetic. It has worked miracles with longevity on other things where
nothing else worked or lasted. My seat of pants test. All I buy. I believe Dave L still likes it for front bearings, That should be a sealed
(hopefully) environment where the phase separation is reunited with use.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
 
We can discuss grease , but what I see is that people are not greasing the
rear pins at all.
In our shop we use Synthetic grease only with moly.

On Sat, Jul 11, 2020 at 6:09 AM John R. Lebetski via Gmclist <

> After 2 events I stopped buying Mobil 1 grease. Binding in upper
> intermediate shaft CV. And dripping red oil on top of my shoes and shop
> floor every
> time I picked up the grease gun. Synpower has been renamed Valvoline Full
> Synthetic. It has worked miracles with longevity on other things where
> nothing else worked or lasted. My seat of pants test. All I buy. I believe
> Dave L still likes it for front bearings, That should be a sealed
> (hopefully) environment where the phase separation is reunited with use.
> --
> John Lebetski
> Woodstock, IL
> 77 Eleganza II
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
 
I think I can get this correct. On the forum, quite awhile back (years) there was a discussion about
the CV joint in the GMCMH steering column. Some found that only grease with "moly" would stp the notchy
feeling. (actually more than a feeling)
--
DAVE KING
lurker, wannabe
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 
"From the horse's mouth": A LONG time ago, maybe in 2000, I was headed
from S. GA to Orlando in the GMC. The steering became difficult --
"notchy". I started pulling into large parking lots to do crazy turns,
thinking to get what were "obviously" worn balls in the steering joints
repositioned. I had enough success to make it all the way to Jim Bounds'
GMC Coop.

I disassembled the upper CV joint and found the balls and races in
apparently perfect condition. Lubricating the assembly with light motor
oil, I expected it to move easily with no loads applied -- but it didn't.
With big screwdriver handles stuck into the open ends of the CV I could
change the position. While Jim was in his office calling around to find me
a new CV, I found an unopened tube of Valvoline Synpower with MSO2, the
first I'd ever seen. Knowing that MSO2 is similar to graphite, I opened
the tube and greased up the CV balls and races. Magically, the CV lost all
resistance to movement!

I told Jim to hang up the phone. Since then, I've used no other grease,
for anything, and have never had "notchy" steering again.

That's how the "rumor" got started. :-)

Ken H.

On Sat, Jul 11, 2020 at 4:05 PM Dave King via Gmclist <

> I think I can get this correct. On the forum, quite awhile back (years)
> there was a discussion about
> the CV joint in the GMCMH steering column. Some found that only grease
> with "moly" would stp the notchy
> feeling. (actually more than a feeling)
> --
> DAVE KING
> lurker, wannabe
> Toronto, Ontario, Canada
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Well, that statement "...for anything..." isn't quite right! I DO use
other, special-purpose such as dielectric and transmission assembly,
greases. I just don't use anything else for heavy-duty applications like
the suspension -- and wheel bearings. Someone reported having Synpower
harden in the tube. I have also had that happen a time or two, accompanied
by "bleeding" (similar to the common trait of Mobil 1). I doubt that the
condition occurs in an active joint, and in fact, find that the lubricity
of the hardened grease seems barely affected. Once or twice, I've been
unable to find Synpower and had to use Valvoline Durablend with MSO2 -- the
"dino" version of Synpower. I did so with some trepidation, but never saw
any negative effects (I've NOT tried it in CV joints).

Ken H.

On Sat, Jul 11, 2020 at 5:05 PM Ken Henderson
wrote:

> "From the horse's mouth": A LONG time ago, maybe in 2000, I was headed
> from S. GA to Orlando in the GMC. The steering became difficult --
> "notchy". I started pulling into large parking lots to do crazy turns,
> thinking to get what were "obviously" worn balls in the steering joints
> repositioned. I had enough success to make it all the way to Jim Bounds'
> GMC Coop.
>
> I disassembled the upper CV joint and found the balls and races in
> apparently perfect condition. Lubricating the assembly with light motor
> oil, I expected it to move easily with no loads applied -- but it didn't.
> With big screwdriver handles stuck into the open ends of the CV I could
> change the position. While Jim was in his office calling around to find me
> a new CV, I found an unopened tube of Valvoline Synpower with MSO2, the
> first I'd ever seen. Knowing that MSO2 is similar to graphite, I opened
> the tube and greased up the CV balls and races. Magically, the CV lost all
> resistance to movement!
>
> I told Jim to hang up the phone. Since then, I've used no other grease,
> for anything, and have never had "notchy" steering again.
>
> That's how the "rumor" got started. :-)
>
> Ken H.
>
>
> On Sat, Jul 11, 2020 at 4:05 PM Dave King via Gmclist <

>
>> I think I can get this correct. On the forum, quite awhile back (years)
>> there was a discussion about
>> the CV joint in the GMCMH steering column. Some found that only grease
>> with "moly" would stp the notchy
>> feeling. (actually more than a feeling)
>> --
>> DAVE KING
>> lurker, wannabe
>> Toronto, Ontario, Canada
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>
 
Rick fought a binding steering column, with a CV joint he had lubed with
Mobil One, all the way from Northern Virginia to a rally in North Carolina.
Nervous wreck on arrival. On disassembly, found galled and pitted balls in
the joint.

Messed with replacement 5/8” balls—nope—and finally hitched a ride with
KenHen to an Autozone. He pointed to the Valvoline Synpower, and said,
“Boy, buy this!”

Drove it home two days later with galled and pitted bearings...that
nevertheless worked perfectly.

Rick “now buys and uses Synpower for everything, even bicycle wheels and
bottom bracket bearings” Denney

On Sat, Jul 11, 2020 at 5:36 PM Ken Henderson via Gmclist <

> Well, that statement "...for anything..." isn't quite right! I DO use
> other, special-purpose such as dielectric and transmission assembly,
> greases. I just don't use anything else for heavy-duty applications like
> the suspension -- and wheel bearings. Someone reported having Synpower
> harden in the tube. I have also had that happen a time or two, accompanied
> by "bleeding" (similar to the common trait of Mobil 1). I doubt that the
> condition occurs in an active joint, and in fact, find that the lubricity
> of the hardened grease seems barely affected. Once or twice, I've been
> unable to find Synpower and had to use Valvoline Durablend with MSO2 -- the
> "dino" version of Synpower. I did so with some trepidation, but never saw
> any negative effects (I've NOT tried it in CV joints).
>
> Ken H.
>
> On Sat, Jul 11, 2020 at 5:05 PM Ken Henderson

>
> > "From the horse's mouth": A LONG time ago, maybe in 2000, I was headed
> > from S. GA to Orlando in the GMC. The steering became difficult --
> > "notchy". I started pulling into large parking lots to do crazy turns,
> > thinking to get what were "obviously" worn balls in the steering joints
> > repositioned. I had enough success to make it all the way to Jim Bounds'
> > GMC Coop.
> >
> > I disassembled the upper CV joint and found the balls and races in
> > apparently perfect condition. Lubricating the assembly with light motor
> > oil, I expected it to move easily with no loads applied -- but it didn't.
> > With big screwdriver handles stuck into the open ends of the CV I could
> > change the position. While Jim was in his office calling around to find
> me
> > a new CV, I found an unopened tube of Valvoline Synpower with MSO2, the
> > first I'd ever seen. Knowing that MSO2 is similar to graphite, I opened
> > the tube and greased up the CV balls and races. Magically, the CV lost
> all
> > resistance to movement!
> >
> > I told Jim to hang up the phone. Since then, I've used no other grease,
> > for anything, and have never had "notchy" steering again.
> >
> > That's how the "rumor" got started. :-)
> >
> > Ken H.
> >
> >
> > On Sat, Jul 11, 2020 at 4:05 PM Dave King via Gmclist <

> >
> >> I think I can get this correct. On the forum, quite awhile back (years)
> >> there was a discussion about
> >> the CV joint in the GMCMH steering column. Some found that only grease
> >> with "moly" would stp the notchy
> >> feeling. (actually more than a feeling)
> >> --
> >> DAVE KING
> >> lurker, wannabe
> >> Toronto, Ontario, Canada
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> GMCnet mailing list
> >> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> >> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >>
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
'73 X-Glacier 230 "Jaws"
Northern Virginia
Offlist email: rick at rickdenney dot com
 
When I first bought my coach my steering shaft was seized and there was no boot.
I prompt 'rebuilt' it, got the shaft apart, took the CV joint completely apart and mixed up all the balls.
I lubed it with my favorite bearing grease and it was notchy beyond belief. After a consult with the GMC forum, I changed over to Synpower. Problem solved, smooth as butter now.
Thank you Ken!

Keith Vasilakes
1975 Royale
Microlevel
________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Richard Denney via Gmclist
Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2020 9:56 PM
To: gmclist
Cc: Richard Denney
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Tid Bit. Cheep grease isn't worth it.

Rick fought a binding steering column, with a CV joint he had lubed with
Mobil One, all the way from Northern Virginia to a rally in North Carolina.
Nervous wreck on arrival. On disassembly, found galled and pitted balls in
the joint.

Messed with replacement 5/8” balls—nope—and finally hitched a ride with
KenHen to an Autozone. He pointed to the Valvoline Synpower, and said,
“Boy, buy this!”

Drove it home two days later with galled and pitted bearings...that
nevertheless worked perfectly.

Rick “now buys and uses Synpower for everything, even bicycle wheels and
bottom bracket bearings” Denney

On Sat, Jul 11, 2020 at 5:36 PM Ken Henderson via Gmclist <

> Well, that statement "...for anything..." isn't quite right! I DO use
> other, special-purpose such as dielectric and transmission assembly,
> greases. I just don't use anything else for heavy-duty applications like
> the suspension -- and wheel bearings. Someone reported having Synpower
> harden in the tube. I have also had that happen a time or two, accompanied
> by "bleeding" (similar to the common trait of Mobil 1). I doubt that the
> condition occurs in an active joint, and in fact, find that the lubricity
> of the hardened grease seems barely affected. Once or twice, I've been
> unable to find Synpower and had to use Valvoline Durablend with MSO2 -- the
> "dino" version of Synpower. I did so with some trepidation, but never saw
> any negative effects (I've NOT tried it in CV joints).
>
> Ken H.
>
> On Sat, Jul 11, 2020 at 5:05 PM Ken Henderson

>
> > "From the horse's mouth": A LONG time ago, maybe in 2000, I was headed
> > from S. GA to Orlando in the GMC. The steering became difficult --
> > "notchy". I started pulling into large parking lots to do crazy turns,
> > thinking to get what were "obviously" worn balls in the steering joints
> > repositioned. I had enough success to make it all the way to Jim Bounds'
> > GMC Coop.
> >
> > I disassembled the upper CV joint and found the balls and races in
> > apparently perfect condition. Lubricating the assembly with light motor
> > oil, I expected it to move easily with no loads applied -- but it didn't.
> > With big screwdriver handles stuck into the open ends of the CV I could
> > change the position. While Jim was in his office calling around to find
> me
> > a new CV, I found an unopened tube of Valvoline Synpower with MSO2, the
> > first I'd ever seen. Knowing that MSO2 is similar to graphite, I opened
> > the tube and greased up the CV balls and races. Magically, the CV lost
> all
> > resistance to movement!
> >
> > I told Jim to hang up the phone. Since then, I've used no other grease,
> > for anything, and have never had "notchy" steering again.
> >
> > That's how the "rumor" got started. :-)
> >
> > Ken H.
> >
> >
> > On Sat, Jul 11, 2020 at 4:05 PM Dave King via Gmclist <

> >
> >> I think I can get this correct. On the forum, quite awhile back (years)
> >> there was a discussion about
> >> the CV joint in the GMCMH steering column. Some found that only grease
> >> with "moly" would stp the notchy
> >> feeling. (actually more than a feeling)
> >> --
> >> DAVE KING
> >> lurker, wannabe
> >> Toronto, Ontario, Canada
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> GMCnet mailing list
> >> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> >> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >>
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
'73 X-Glacier 230 "Jaws"
Northern Virginia
Offlist email: rick at rickdenney dot com
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Although I'm using the Valvoline Synpower grease that has been recommended, I discovered that even it can "dry out." When I've had it in my grease
gun for a few months, the constant pressure of the spring that pressurizes the grease and keeps it ready to pump out, causes the liquid components to
separate out and it's apparent when one looks at texture of the grease coming out of the gun. It's also obvious because of the puddle of liquid that
accumulates on the floor under the gun. So, hard as it is to pull the spring back to its lock point, especially when the grease level gets low, doing
it seems to have solved the problem.
--
Jack Christensen - K6ROW,
'76 Glenbrook/Clasco - "The Silver Bullet",
Sebastopol, CA
 
Jack,

I've had the same problem with Synpower. Aside from the loss of
''spreadability", I don't think the lubricity is much affected -- 'tho' it
is hard to pump. :-) I also try to remember to pull the plunger out for
storage.

Ken H.

On Tue, Jul 14, 2020 at 5:49 PM Jack Christensen via Gmclist <

> Although I'm using the Valvoline Synpower grease that has been
> recommended, I discovered that even it can "dry out." When I've had it in
> my grease
> gun for a few months, the constant pressure of the spring that pressurizes
> the grease and keeps it ready to pump out, causes the liquid components to
> separate out and it's apparent when one looks at texture of the grease
> coming out of the gun. It's also obvious because of the puddle of liquid
> that
> accumulates on the floor under the gun. So, hard as it is to pull the
> spring back to its lock point, especially when the grease level gets low,
> doing
> it seems to have solved the problem.
> --
> Jack Christensen - K6ROW,
> '76 Glenbrook/Clasco - "The Silver Bullet",
> Sebastopol, CA
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
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