Lubrication
Steve Freeman
wondering what most people use to lubricate the linkages, hinges and
connections on gliders. I have been using LPS2 on most everything but
am wondering if LPS1 would be better for certain applications?
Dave Nadler
It depends on what kind of glider and what you are lubricating.
For example, different types of rod ends have different lube
requirements and/or prohibitions. Using the lubricants listed above
will actually *remove* lubrication from the important areas
of certain parts - not what you want.
You need to consult your glider's maintenance manual !
Hope that helps,
Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"
uncl...@ix.netcom.com
As Dave said, maintenance manual is your best resource.
It's worth noting that many items may have lubrication schedules
longer than 1 year(example Schleicher control hinges).
Generally stated, a light machine oil is suitable for most plain metal
bearings.
My rule of thumb is - if it comes in a spray can- don't use it. You
can't ensure that you don't get the stuff all over other stuff leading
to accumilation of crud and possibly making repairs more difficult.
WD40 is banned anywhere near anything I work on for this reason.
Also be aware that there are some points that may specifically not
need lube. Again- the manual.
FWIW
Good Luck
UH
Martin Gregorie
> My rule of thumb is - if it comes in a spray can- don't use it. You
> can't ensure that you don't get the stuff all over other stuff leading
> to accumilation of crud and possibly making repairs more difficult. WD40
> is banned anywhere near anything I work on for this reason.
>
Another reason for avoiding WD40 is that it becomes very viscous as it
dries. This is well-known in Free Flight model flying circles.
We found this out when some guys used it to blast dust out of the
clockwork d/t timer after the model landed in loose dirt. That's all very
well for the rest of the day, but at next week's comp they found that the
timer was either very slow and stopped unpredictably or wouldn't run at
all. Another blast of WD40 would free it up for that day, but the only
permanent cure was to take the timer apart and wash all the WD40 out of
it.
Bottom line: use it for its designed purpose (a water repellent and for
loosening frozen threads and hinges) but never use it as a lube and,
ideally, wash it off and replace it with something more fit for purpose
ASAP.
--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |
Dave Nadler
> Also be aware that there are some points that may specifically not
> need lube. Again- the manual.
As I mentioned above, lubing some areas is prohibited.
Especially disastrous is lubing teflon or nylon sliding parts,
which sucks grit into the sliding area and abrades
everything. I've seen a "lube job" cause damage in:
- Early Ventus flaperon-drive control track inside wings
- Pilatus B4 pushrods (teflon tape on rods through nylon guides)
Don't do this !
See ya, Dave "YO electric"
Steve Freeman
started and where the problem comes from. It shows all the lubrication
points and the lubricant to use for those points. There are a couple
that are listed for low solidifying machine oil but all of the others
list the lubricant as "LT-43". I tried looking it up online but was
not able to get any information which is why I listed the question
here. Anyone know what this is? The manual also lists something called
SILPASTA A for the water valve. I found a materials data sheet for it
and it appears to be a silicon paste with the consistency of vaseline.
Anyone know of a substitute for that or how to get it?
Darryl Ramm
OK I'll bite. Lets guess it's Polish (pretty tricky hey?). Go to
Google Language tools and the "translated search" tab and set your
language to English and the search language to Polish. Search for
"LT-43" grease or "LT-43" Lubricant
Whoa that should keep you busy (or if you had trouble getting there
see http://translate.google.com/translate_s?hl=en&clss=&q=LT-43+grease&sl=en&tl=pl)
If you look a the top few links it gives you temp specs for the
grease, its an automotive lithium soap grease. You should be able to
find lots of substitutes.
Darryl
Darryl Ramm
> On Nov 11, 5:27 pm, Steve Freeman <st...@freewil.com> wrote:
>
> > I have the technical service manual for my SZD 55 which is where I
> > started and where the problem comes from. It shows all the lubrication
> > points and the lubricant to use for those points. There are a couple
> > that are listed for low solidifying machine oil but all of the others
> > list the lubricant as "LT-43". I tried looking it up online but was
> > not able to get any information which is why I listed the question
> > here. Anyone know what this is? The manual also lists something called
> > SILPASTA A for the water valve. I found a materials data sheet for it
> > and it appears to be a silicon paste with the consistency of vaseline.
> > Anyone know of a substitute for that or how to get it?
>
> OK I'll bite. Lets guess it's Polish (pretty tricky hey?). Go to
> Google Language tools and the "translated search" tab and set your
> language to English and the search language to Polish. Search for
>
> "LT-43" grease or "LT-43" Lubricant
>
> Whoa that should keep you busy (or if you had trouble getting there
>
> If you look a the top few links it gives you temp specs for the
> grease, its an automotive lithium soap grease. You should be able to
> find lots of substitutes.
>
> Darryl
And the other one is just silicon grease, as in the silicone grease
used for o-rings an other applications. If it is just for the water
valves it is not going to be anything high-tech. Silicone Grease is
available lots of places.
Darryl