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Letter 21018
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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 [link is to product info at Amazon] to clean out the bearings and 6 drops of Krytox [link is to product info at Amazon] 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 an inner and outer bearing. They are open bearings. Top Speeds can be over 30 mph. We race down hills. Time for each race is about 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 |
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Dear Ryan,
Try using straight STP oil additive. It has always worked well for deep drawing and as a mandrel lubricant for swaging 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 1740 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?
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Freeman Newton |
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+++ The best lubricant for all mechanical devices is Militec-1 synthetic metal conditioner. It also doesn't attract as much dirt as conventional lubricants. The once a day lube schedule will be no problem. Peter Wilbur
+++ Krytox is a new Dupont lube that will someday replace Teflon. have tried 2 w 20 30 and grease Have tried: DSX lubes, Redline racing assembly lube and 5 weight racing lube, Bishops Original lube, Graphite, Locklube, Lighter fluid, Miltech Whale Spit Lube that one puts on Fishing reel gears after boiling the gears in water! Ryan Harrigan
++++ I might guess that you are long past needing this response, but someone else might. Bicycle shops have a great selection of the newer high-tech lubes which cut friction and don't attract dirt. Maybe your younger brother could use this suggestion! Brooks Allen
Mick
++++ Krytox is a very good slippery oil. There are grease variations too. (it is about as high tech as it gets) I do not know how it will do well with the heavy loads that you see in the soap box race. The other reply suggesting STP oil treatment may sound a bit "crude" but it does have some long lasting abilities for a load like you are talking about. You may need to do some tests to see which one does best in the long haul. Dwayne
Pilkington |
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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 [link is to product info at Amazon] 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 Brakleen [link is to product info at Amazon] to clean out the bearings and 6 drops of the thinnest Krytox lube in each bearing. Heck I used to sell 1/2 oz needles of Krytox [link is to product info at Amazon] to other racers!
Lube the axle spindles with thicker Krytox oil on cold days and add a bit of the Krytox grease on hot days.
Ryan Harrigan
- Columbia, Maryland
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+++++ 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 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
+++++ 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
+++++ This year we are testing MILITEC-1 Metal
Conditioner
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