Opinions on lubricating steering gear teeth ...

[Back on a horse 55]

Trying to figure out how to reduce wear on the pinion and fan gear and was wondering if applying grease to the gear teeth would be a net positive or negative?  The negative is the grease will attract dirt and may cause more wear.  We never put grease directly on the teeth of my Dad's C-160 and they held up fairly well over the years, but are now U shaped rather than V shaped.

[roadapples 6,983]

After I  grease the fittings I put a glob on my finger and grease the teeth...

[Achto 27,605]

The grease cert for the pinion also supplies some grease to the fan gear.  

Edited April 19, 2021 by Achto

[seuadr 488]

i can't tell you it is right, but every time i've greased my 520h i wipe the old off and put a little back on the fan gear. i haven't noticed any extra wear, but, that doesn't mean it isn't there.

[ebinmaine 67,625]

I was always taught when greasing an unfamiliar machine to look for anything that moves and lube it. 

 

It wouldn't even occur to me NOT to grease it. 

 

 

Seems to me (and I may be dead wrong) that the teeth are going to do at least as much damage to themselves grinding back and forth as the dust or dirt held in grease... Which is also helping the teeth pass by themselves. 

 

I'm open to correction.....

 

[DennisThornton 4,769]

I generally agree that anything that moves could benefit from a lube.  Problem is lubes can attract grit and then turn into a grinding compound that is worse than no lube at all.  Dry lubes are a better choice sometimes instead of grease.  Fine sand is a problem up here for me in upstate NY and I suppose from here to Maine as well at least in some areas.  Lawnmower blades here die from getting sandblasted into oblivion.  I've seen the entire lift portion eroded away!  I suppose some of that airborne grit could work it's way into lots of places and certainly including the nylon bushings of push mower wheels explaining why I've read NOT to grease or oil them.  Better to run dry than with an abrasive slurry!  Dry lube instead.  Or not at all.

[haydendavid380 759]

[oliver2-44 9,761]

21 minutes ago, haydendavid380 said:

That’s one of my favorite lubes

[roadapples 6,983]

Thanks guys, but I'm just bullheaded enough to keep doing it my way...

[953 nut 55,321]

I'm a part of the if it moves grease it, if it doesn't move paint it club

[Roger R 448]

Most roller chain driven equipment has the chain exposed to what ever comes along and we would never consider running them dry.  I have mixed feelings for fan gears, but keep mine lubed.  A good case for "Grease early and often" trying to keep them in at least somewhat clean grease.

[Back on a horse 55]

Thanks for the reference to the crc dry lube.  Sounds perfect!

[Tuneup 1,433]

Since these are old machines and I would think that the actual placement of the gear wasn't critical in manufacture, it might make more sense to ensure the teeth are well-engaged and then consider lubrication. The actual motion of the gearing will push them away from each other and increase wear dramatically. An extra thrust washer or whatever would do wonders.

 

That said, I put a light grease film on mine yesterday.

[squonk 41,155]

These are garden tractors. Not the Mars helicopter. Grease it! 

[gt14rider 765]

These came off mower deck roller and guide wheel,  could have used some grease