Bicycle Mechanics - Lubrication recommendations for Shimano Inter-3 push rod

Hi all,

I am a lowly commuter and bike mechanism ignoramus to boot, as you can tell by my question below. I have a SG-3C41 Shimano Inter-3 coaster-brake version. I have downloaded the Shimano tech docs and searched in the usual Right Places, but am not sure yet what the right thing to do is.


What lubrication, if any, should one put onto the push rod that goes into the center of the axle of the hub?

Searches on this forum had me thinking that someone was suggesting that one can simply squirt some oil into the axle hole into which the push rod goes; elsewhere, Shimano (speaking only in general terms) warns that doing the wrong thing lube-wise can 'cause grease to come out of the hub' -- how reassuring.

I am thinking that a little standard, HQ grease on the push rod is the right thing to do, but I hope to hear from an expert or two before doing anything, just to be safe.

Thanks in advance.

oil or grease will work just fine .

OK -- thanks very much -- I am just a worrier and just wanted some confirmation.

OK -- thanks very much -- I am just a worrier and just wanted some confirmation.

The rod is removable - don't squirt anything into the axle hole. Remove it greaSe, and put it back in.

The rod is removable - don't squirt anything into the axle hole. Remove it greaSe, and put it back in.

Thanks. That the push rod was removable I knew -- one has to take it out to do much of anything with the rear wheel. Each time I removed the wheel, though, I just saw the push rod having less and less of what looked like grease to a know-nothing like me. I went with the grease approach even before your response, as it just seemed like the right thing versus oil.

Shifts better, too -- or it that just a perception? I made no other adjustments...yet. Thanks