Nose gear lube

[colospace]

I'm curious about what kind of lubricant others have used for the bronze bushings on the nose gear strut pivot and the nose gear swivel. I thought I might use a polyurea grease I have (supposed to be slippery, resist water and inhibit corrosion). I don't see anything mentioned in the build manual. Any better ideas out there besides deleting the nose gear and going tail dragger?

[Dave S]

Hi Gary,

I have been using "Boat Trailer Wheel Bearing Grease" for the nose gear bushings....under the supposition the stuff is supposed to be somewhat resistant to absorbing water (as I know what kind of stuff I drag my nose wheel through)....works fine.....honestly I don't think it matters so much what kind of grease a person uses so much as it is important to take the thing apart at regular intervals, clean it and the washers up and lubricate all with clean grease.

Sincerely,

Dave S
Kitfox 7 Trigear
912ULS Warp Drive

St Paul, MN

[colospace]

Further investigation of the polyurea grease indicates that it is really intended for low load, high speed applications; not really what is needed for the nose gear bushings. Will probably go for a moly-based lube. I like the idea of using something marine oriented or even intended for farm implements. Seems more suitable. Mobil makes some stuff that is really supposed to "stay put" too.

[SkySteve]

Be careful not to get the nose wheel assembly too lubricated and "slick". You do want a fair amount of tension on it when you turn the nose wheel side to side so it will not shimmy during take off and landing.

[Paul Z]

Steve.

Sounds like experience is speaking. That could make for a scary T/O & Landing.

[RobS]

It sure can. When the shimmy damper went on my 172 I thought I was going to shake the O-300 right off its motor mounts.