Good lubricant for assembly

When I sold my LAK-17a, the buyer, an inspection authorized A&P
mechanic, noted that there was no 1,000 hour inspection noted in the
logbook.Â* So we got out my digital caliper and I measured each component
and read the results to him.Â* He recorded the numbers and compared them
to the Maintenance Manual.Â* Everything was within new factory
specifications.

I believe I had used lithium grease the whole time I owned the ship.

On 5/29/2018 3:39 PM, jfitch wrote:
On Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 1:03:41 PM UTC-7, Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot) wrote:
Agreed.
Vaseline is better than dry or old lube.
Cheap and easy to get.
Easy to use.

If assembling for a season, maybe something better.
Keep in mind, very limited movement so lube quality is less of an issue.
Yes, some may say the "wings will fall off" if you use the wrong lube. In this case, not likely.
I can't agree with the "anything" specification. The main pins do not move, but the lift and drag pins clearly do work in flight, with considerable pressure on them. Any glider a few years old will show signs of wear, galling, or Brinelling on those pins. From this is seems to me that something with some extreme pressure ingredients is desirable.

--
Dan, 5J

On Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at 11:50:40 AM UTC-7, Dan Marotta wrote:
When I sold my LAK-17a, the buyer, an inspection authorized A&P
mechanic, noted that there was no 1,000 hour inspection noted in the
logbook.Â* So we got out my digital caliper and I measured each component
and read the results to him.Â* He recorded the numbers and compared them
to the Maintenance Manual.Â* Everything was within new factory
specifications.

I believe I had used lithium grease the whole time I owned the ship.

On 5/29/2018 3:39 PM, jfitch wrote:
On Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 1:03:41 PM UTC-7, Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot) wrote:
Agreed.
Vaseline is better than dry or old lube.
Cheap and easy to get.
Easy to use.

If assembling for a season, maybe something better.
Keep in mind, very limited movement so lube quality is less of an issue.
Yes, some may say the "wings will fall off" if you use the wrong lube. In this case, not likely.
I can't agree with the "anything" specification. The main pins do not move, but the lift and drag pins clearly do work in flight, with considerable pressure on them. Any glider a few years old will show signs of wear, galling, or Brinelling on those pins. From this is seems to me that something with some extreme pressure ingredients is desirable.

--
Dan, 5J

Micrometer measurement on pins that have galled may actually show growth as the metal is upset. Visual inspection will still show wear/galling/Brinelling. It would take an extreme case of this to cause a structural issue, so perhaps it is something that can be routinely ignored. Still, it's one of those things that doesn't look or feel good.

I notice in looking up the specs that Superlube has a "High Temperature Extreme Pressure" version with significantly better wear index figures. That might be the one to buy if you like Superlube.