I’ve been using LGB 50019 oil to lubricate the axles of our USA dismals.
I’ve read that a good-quality grease (i.e., Labelle with PTFE) is at least as effective.
I’d appreciate any feedback on the issue before deciding whether or not to change lubricants.
I have always used the Bachmann E-Zlube 99981 liquid conductive oil on the axle ends , because we are running track power here . Other than the gear splitting problem on one , the 12 USA diesels here , have ran a zillion miles .
I would stick with oil I have a number of USAT locos, and have repaired the split “axles” (which are really the plastic gear and where the metal half axles press in).
I would use a heavy oil, I like the hob-e-lube products. I’d prefer to grease this kind of bushing setup, but no way to get the grease into the insides of the bushings unless you have something like a access hole that can put grease into the bushing under pressure.
Most oils come in grades, the hob-e-lube stuff comes in extra-light, light, medium and heavy as I remember. It’s easy to get it on the axles and wick into the bushing.
I do use plastic compatible oils because of the plastic splitting problem, hoping to minimize it.
Regards, Greg
Dennis and Greg, thank you both for your feedback.
The impetus for this post came from a problem with an SD40. Both rear swinging wheels have developed flat spots, probably down to running at speed over a bad piece of trackwork rather than insufficient lubrication.
However, although the gear housing that the SD40’s stub axles sleeve into looks fine, one of the brass guides that sits on the axle between the wheel and the sleeve has had the bomb. Instead of being round, there is now a flat section parallel to the axle. From the side, this guide now looks like the head of the plastic plug USA Trains uses to lock the hook and loop portions of its H&L couplers!
I’m at a loss to explain this kind of wear pattern. The crook section of track has been fixed, but I’m examining the lube issue just in case it contributed to the problem.
Being of the generation that grew up with moly, guns and nipples, grease makes sense to me. However, to wax Biblical, unless I can see grease oozing out of the bushing, I will not believe! Ergo, a heavy oil sounds like a reasonable proposition.
When I call Mr. Ro tonight to order a replacement wheel set for the SD40 (ten bucks for the lot, two wheels, two axles, two guides and a gear), I will ask his opinion. Our GP38 is starting to make mouse noises, so this is a good time to address lubrication methodology.
Dave, could you post a picture, I’m not quite visualizing what you are saying.
Maybe I have a different “picture” in my mind, but I will ask a potentially dumb question, could your wheel/axle parts be slipping in the gear housing/sleeve part? That could explain flatted wheels…
Regards, Greg
Greg Elmassian said:
Dave, could you post a picture, I’m not quite visualizing what you are saying. Maybe I have a different “picture” in my mind, but I will ask a potentially dumb question, could your wheel/axle parts be slipping in the gear housing/sleeve part? That could explain flatted wheels… Regards, Greg
Greg, the following drawing may serve to visualise the effect better than a photo. It represents a side-on view of a wheel, without flange or any other niceties:
(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj307/healydj/CrookWheel.jpg)
Both stub axles seemed tight fits when I was pulling them. The axles are serrated, by design, for the entire length of the portion that sleeves into the gear housing. There is no evidence of wear on the serrated portion of either axle. Only one of the two brass bushings shows the wear pattern described in the original post - the other is “as new”. Interestingly, Charles Ro sells and recommends grease, applied lightly to the axle ends. I will give it a go.
