Quote:
Originally Posted by Monkeysmate
I'm about to start rebuilding the gearboxes on our buggies and I would appreciate any top tips before I start.
I have some specific questions...
1. Should I grease the idler shafts?
2. Should I grease the gear teeth?
3. What's the difference between the clear and the black grease? Why black grease on the thrust bearings?
4. What's the benefit of the alloy idlers?
Stupid questions no doubt, but I'd value your advice.
Thank you
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Hi,
My take on this would be as follows:-
1 I wouldn't bother. They just support the ballraces and there is no sliding or rolling friction on the shaft itself.
2 Yes. All the gear teeth in the box are making use of the same grease, it gets smeared from one to the other. If you load the teeth on the idlers the greas will be transferred to the layshaft and diff very quickly. The first time that you take it up to speed the excess will plaster itself on the inside of the casing.
3 The greases that are preferred for thrust races tend to have an extreme pressure additive. Some of them are black.
4 The aluminium gears are stronger but make sure they are lubricated. I have seen posts from people who know about these things recommend that the white POM gears are used as a first choice. I have used those for about three years without a problem. I would be worried about two aluminium gears running together. It is usually best, with metal gears, to have dissimilar materials rubbing against each other.