Stiction in the yoke

[Jay Honeck]

A previous owner, in an attempt to make his yokes move more freely, used dry
graphite in the yokes on our Pathfinder.

Of course, as moisture and condensation came and went, this graphite clumped
up and got gritty. This would restrict motion, so he apparently added MORE
graphite.

Long story short, we've been using spray-on silicone for the last two years.
At first, every time I sprayed we would pull out chunks of black graphite
out of the yoke bushings. This diminished over time gradually, to the point
where now our rag might come out black after spraying, but there are no
discernible particles.

The yokes work pretty smoothly now, but I find that I must spray them every
week or so to maintain absolute freedom of movement. (I have discovered
that the difference between an okay landing, and a greaser, is the ability
to "finger-tip adjust" in the flare...)

What do you guys use on your yokes? Is there anything that lasts longer
than silicone spray that (a) doesn't stain carpet, (b) doesn't stink to high
heaven, and (c) doesn't leave particulate matter behind?

Thanks!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Nathan Young]

On Sun, 24 Oct 2004 13:40:03 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
> wrote:

>
>What do you guys use on your yokes? Is there anything that lasts longer
>than silicone spray that (a) doesn't stain carpet, (b) doesn't stink to high
>heaven, and (c) doesn't leave particulate matter behind?

LPS #1.

Regarding your requirements:
A. Hold a paper towel under the yoke when spraying.
B. Can't help you here, LPS has an odor, but I kind of like it.
C. No residue with LPS.

[Michelle P]

Jay,
anything but Silicone will attack the bushings.
Michelle

Jay Honeck wrote:

>A previous owner, in an attempt to make his yokes move more freely, used dry
>graphite in the yokes on our Pathfinder.
>
>Of course, as moisture and condensation came and went, this graphite clumped
>up and got gritty. This would restrict motion, so he apparently added MORE
>graphite.
>
>Long story short, we've been using spray-on silicone for the last two years.
>At first, every time I sprayed we would pull out chunks of black graphite
>out of the yoke bushings. This diminished over time gradually, to the point
>where now our rag might come out black after spraying, but there are no
>discernible particles.
>
>The yokes work pretty smoothly now, but I find that I must spray them every
>week or so to maintain absolute freedom of movement. (I have discovered
>that the difference between an okay landing, and a greaser, is the ability
>to "finger-tip adjust" in the flare...)
>
>What do you guys use on your yokes? Is there anything that lasts longer
>than silicone spray that (a) doesn't stain carpet, (b) doesn't stink to high
>heaven, and (c) doesn't leave particulate matter behind?
>
>Thanks!
>
>

--

Michelle P ATP-ASEL, CP-AMEL, and AMT-A&P

"Elisabeth" a Maule M-7-235B (no two are alike)

Volunteer Pilot, Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic

Volunteer Builder, Habitat for Humanity

[tom418]

I use alchohol to clean the shafts when needed. Note: the M/M (of my Seneca
at least) cautions against "lubricating the control wheel shaft or bushing"


"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:TgOed.298228$MQ5.193396@attbi_s52...
> A previous owner, in an attempt to make his yokes move more freely, used
dry
> graphite in the yokes on our Pathfinder.
>
> Of course, as moisture and condensation came and went, this graphite
clumped
> up and got gritty. This would restrict motion, so he apparently added
MORE
> graphite.
>
> Long story short, we've been using spray-on silicone for the last two
years.
> At first, every time I sprayed we would pull out chunks of black graphite
> out of the yoke bushings. This diminished over time gradually, to the
point
> where now our rag might come out black after spraying, but there are no
> discernible particles.
>
> The yokes work pretty smoothly now, but I find that I must spray them
every
> week or so to maintain absolute freedom of movement. (I have discovered
> that the difference between an okay landing, and a greaser, is the ability
> to "finger-tip adjust" in the flare...)
>
> What do you guys use on your yokes? Is there anything that lasts longer
> than silicone spray that (a) doesn't stain carpet, (b) doesn't stink to
high
> heaven, and (c) doesn't leave particulate matter behind?
>
> Thanks!
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[zatatime]

On Sun, 24 Oct 2004 13:40:03 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
> wrote:

>What do you guys use on your yokes? Is there anything that lasts longer
>than silicone spray that (a) doesn't stain carpet, (b) doesn't stink to high
>heaven, and (c) doesn't leave particulate matter behind?


An IA friend of mine recommended Dow Corning #4.

Its labeled as an Electrical Insulating compound, but contains
silicone and it a great lube. It even meets MIL Spec 8660.

I had a similar problem when I bought my bird, someone used something
that gummed up the works. I also was very irritated on landings when
I'd apply a little back pressure (nothing happened), a little more
(nothing happened), a little more and the yoke came back 2 inches.
(Crap!)

This stuff comes in a squeeze tube, so spray doesn't go everywhere,
and provides about 9 months of lube since its thicker and remains on
the yoke longer (while it was getting gunk out it didn't last as
long). It also helped clean out a whole bunch of junk from the
bushings.

I highly recommend this to anyone. A little bit goes a long way.

HTH.
z

[Blanche]

I use a bit of TriFlow (from my bicycle kit), munge the yoke
back & forth, in & out as if flying then wipe it off.

[Ben Jackson]

In article <TgOed.298228$MQ5.193396@attbi_s52>,
Jay Honeck > wrote:
>
>Long story short, we've been using spray-on silicone for the last two years.

That's the recommended procedure for foosball tables too. What a lot of
owners do instead is use pledge (for the wax). No, it doesn't work nearly
as well, but I figured you'd like to hear of another use for your stock of
lemon pledge. :)

--
Ben Jackson
>
http://www.ben.com/

[[email protected]]

>What do you guys use on your yokes? Is there anything that lasts longer
>than silicone spray that (a) doesn't stain carpet, (b) doesn't stink to high
>heaven, and (c) doesn't leave particulate matter behind?

Another vote for LPS1...spray it on a rag and wipe the shaft with it.
If shaft is really cruddy, wipe it off with a clean rag and repeat.
cruddy...

Less mess and smell than spraying directly onto shaft.

Funny that the first time I had this problem, I wished for LPS1, as I
have used it elsewhere...and what does the instructor grab from the
shop?

LPS1 leaves a non-sticky film. Works great on Piper Traumahawks!
Meets (a), (b) and (c) when applied as above...
--Don


>
>Thanks!

[soxinbox]

I know you didn't like the graphite, but just in case someone out there is
thinking it sounds like a good idea:

Some reasons not to use graphite:

It tends to clump up and fall off. Its a conductor, so if it falls on
electrical connections, it can short them out. This may be more likely on
some planes than others, and probably only if the clumping is happening on
the back side of the yoke bearing. It is flamable, so if it shorts out
power leads, it can start a fire.

[Rutger]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message news:<TgOed.298228$MQ5.193396@attbi_s52>...

> What do you guys use on your yokes? Is there anything that lasts longer
> than silicone spray that (a) doesn't stain carpet, (b) doesn't stink to high
> heaven, and (c) doesn't leave particulate matter behind?

This stuff: Dupont Teflon Silicone spray lubricant.

http://www.midwayautosupply.com/detailedproductdescription.asp?11769

[Jay Honeck]

>> What do you guys use on your yokes? Is there anything that lasts longer
>> than silicone spray that (a) doesn't stain carpet, (b) doesn't stink to
>> high
>> heaven, and (c) doesn't leave particulate matter behind?
>
> This stuff: Dupont Teflon Silicone spray lubricant.

This appears to be the same stuff I'm using.

Or does it have a special attribute that makes it more long lasting?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Rutger]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message news:<7n_ed.301196$MQ5.292530@attbi_s52>...
> >> What do you guys use on your yokes? Is there anything that lasts longer
> >> than silicone spray that (a) doesn't stain carpet, (b) doesn't stink to
> >> high
> >> heaven, and (c) doesn't leave particulate matter behind?
> >
> > This stuff: Dupont Teflon Silicone spray lubricant.
>
> This appears to be the same stuff I'm using.
>
> Or does it have a special attribute that makes it more long lasting?

You using the DuPont brand that has both Teflon and Silicone?

There are some of these kinds of sprays that are Silicone only.
I've found that the DuPont spray with Teflon plus Silicone lasts
longer on my yokes and seat rails, and the Prestone brand of "high
viscosity formula" silicone-only spray in the bright yellow cans works
best on oleo strut legs and control surface hinges.

[Jay Honeck]

> You using the DuPont brand that has both Teflon and Silicone?

Well, duh. I didn't see the Teflon part of the equation...

Sounds like a good buy. I'll pick some up and give it a whirl...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jonathan Goodish]

In article <TgOed.298228$MQ5.193396@attbi_s52>,
"Jay Honeck" > wrote:
> What do you guys use on your yokes? Is there anything that lasts longer
> than silicone spray that (a) doesn't stain carpet, (b) doesn't stink to high
> heaven, and (c) doesn't leave particulate matter behind?


I believe that Piper recommends Parker O-Ring Lube for those models
where a lubricant is recommended. Parker O-Ring Lube is available at
the large aviation supply houses, but I'm not sure what makes it
different than DC4, which is what I use.



JKG

[[email protected]]

On Wed, 27 Oct 2004 00:51:38 GMT, Jonathan Goodish
> wrote:


>I believe that Piper recommends Parker O-Ring Lube for those models
>where a lubricant is recommended. Parker O-Ring Lube is available at
>the large aviation supply houses, but I'm not sure what makes it
>different than DC4, which is what I use.

Parker O-Ring Lube (at least the tube in my tool box) is very
sticky/stringy stuff.

I really wouldn't recommend it to lubricate the yokes in a Cherokee
(we always used LPS1 or Tri-Flow)

TC

sig snip

[Jonathan Goodish]

In article >,
wrote:
> >I believe that Piper recommends Parker O-Ring Lube for those models
> >where a lubricant is recommended. Parker O-Ring Lube is available at
> >the large aviation supply houses, but I'm not sure what makes it
> >different than DC4, which is what I use.
>
> Parker O-Ring Lube (at least the tube in my tool box) is very
> sticky/stringy stuff.
>
> I really wouldn't recommend it to lubricate the yokes in a Cherokee
> (we always used LPS1 or Tri-Flow)


Well, I've never seen it in person or used it, but that's what Piper
recommends in the PA-28-181 maintenance manual, at least.



JKG