Letter 21018

Lubricating Soap Box Derby Wheels [Maryland] 

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I am looking for the best lube for wheel bearings and axle spindles for my Soap Box Derby Racer. I presently use CRC Brakleen to clean out the bearings and 6 drops of Krytox per wheel bearing. We are only allowed to lube one time per race day. Most use Lighter Fluid to clean and lube the bearings. The bearings are cheap, after a day of racing when the bearings are cleaned out gray dirt comes out. My dad thinks that the bearing races are wearing! I think clean and dry would be the fastest! SBD cars weigh up to 255 lbs with driver. We can not change the bearings that come in the SBD wheels. The wheels with bearings cost $80 per set of 4. Each wheel has a inner and outer bearing. They are open bearings. Top Speeds can be over 30 mph. We race down hills. Time for each race is abut 30 seconds. Over 104 US cities are planning to have 500 BD events this year! The sport is 66 years old. Wins and Losses can be by as little as .001 of a second! Ryan Harrigan Rat Racing - Columbia, Maryland

Dear Ryan,

Try using straight STP oil additive. It has always worked well for deep drawing and as a mandrel lubricant for swadgeing tubing (severe conditions).

Good Luck,

Jim Sivertsen
- Alden, N.Y., U.S.A.

Hi Ryan !

Well, you sure seem to know your stuff ... and I agree with your Dad, too, re the bearing races starting to rust.

I haven't a clue what Krytox is! ... But in the late 60's when racing (Volvo 544 1.8 L)) I used automatic transmission fluid for the (manual!) gear box ... which NO ONE else did in order to reduce frictional losses ... and beat standard 5 L and 7 L Mustang Shelby's in novice races but then the car weight was reduced down to l740 lbs.

Have you considered a teflon product???? Ptfe is maybe nbg at temperatures over 500 F but your race duration is so short that I'm sure that the temperatures won't rise that much. You can buy a teflon powder and, I dunno, maybe also a spray can of teflon. But you are on the right track, reducing friction is very important... and if this helps you win a race or two, please let us know, OK?

Freeman Newton
- White Rock, B.C. Canada plastics background

Ryan, to finally answer your question, the best lubricant for yours, mine or anyone else's soap box derby wheels is a good quality air tool oil. You need to thoroughly clean your bearings with isopropyl alcohol then lightly lubricate with air tool oil before each day of racing. Do not over lubricate.

Good Luck,

Craig Murray
- Tucson, AZ, USA

We usually used CRC Brake Kleen to clean out the bearings and 6 drops of the thinest Krytox lube in each bearing. Heck I used to sell 1/2 oz needles of Krytox to other racers!

Lube the axle spindels with thicker Krytox oil on cold days and add a bit of the Krytox grease on hot days.

http://www.daytonanow.net/ryan.htm

Ryan Harrigan
- Columbia, Maryland

In response to your question... I must ask you which wheels you are using.. old rally nylon race wheels are the absolute best.. no exceptions.. Newer steel wheels are ok if prepped properly. Hook up a 1/2 inch rod about 3 feet long to an old GE electric motor spinning at a no load speed of 1750 rpm's and let them fly with a light viscosity oil. After you get tired of that noise... clean them with kerosene and then give them a good spin. A really light oil such as sewing machine oil is good.. WD-40 evaporates too fast and is useless. Your comment of "dry" is appreciated, however, lubrication is what makes the world go 'round . Here's the big hint....

Old timers used a special "lead #2 type" substance to (break in) their prized rally wheels .... BUT, all traces of any of this sort of stuff would be only confined to your cellar and your closest friends!!!

Good luck,

Mark

Mark Madcharo
- Albany, NY

I am inquiring as to what the best lubricant would be of pinewood derby racing cars. Is a dry lubricant better than a wet lubricant?

Thank you

Kurt Riabov
- Montvale, NJ, USA

This year we are testing MILTEC-1 Metal Conditioner

All the entrants in the 64th Greater Washington D.C. Soap Box derby received samples!

Mike Harrigan
- Columbia, Maryland

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