exfreewheeler

What parts art thou to grease?

Whether 'tis nobler to grease er' bolts, or merely some...

Most? Which? Heavy on the grease? When and why?



As I hath gathered the componentry and prepare to buildeth... canst any amoung thy fellows impart this greatest of mysteries?

dabern

If it has threads, grease it...not heavy, not light, just right. There may be the odd exception, but if that's the case then the maker of the part in question will so state in instructions. I've never actually read any instructions that state do not grease the threads - some carbon parts (seatposts, bars) will say no grease on part-to-part interface, however.

squeakywheel

Some people say don't grease the bolts that mount brakes to the fork crown or brake bridge. I've seen them come with loctite already on the threads. I think the right answer is to grease any bolt that doesn't come with loctite already on it.

Personally, I grease everything. It's easier than thinking.

666pack

grease EVERYTHING.

especially if your bike is ever out in any kind of moisture.

mathletics

+1. Grease everything. I've never heard of a brake mount having loctite on it, but if you're using a nutted mount, make sure to get a nylon stop nut if your brake did not come with one.

crushkilldstroy

And yet, your name is still squeakywheel.

Yeah. In before the crank spindle argument explodes this thread into a fiery ball of death.

Mofopotomus

Yeah the only thing I've ever heard of grease not going on is the crank arm spindle; however, this has been debated thoroughly on bike forums across the interweb. So basically grease is your friend. It will make your bike go together smoother, run better, and be greasier (that's the best one).

lvleph

Do not grease carbon seat posts. It will void the warranty on most seat posts.

radical_edward

If you are the sort of grouch know it all bike obsessive that rebuilds your bottom bracket every 3 months, removing the cranks and cleaning off any oxidation, don't grease the spindle. If you just want to bolt your crank on and ride until bearing failure, and don't want to resort to a hacksaw getting your cranks off, grease.

operator

What kind of babbling bull**** is this. Cranks have come off with no problems with no grease, even on 10 year old junkers with square taper.

Do us a favour and stop posting garbage.

666pack

yeah for real. crank pullers are great inventions.

radical_edward

What is up with the attitude?

I have never had any issue with crank arm interfaces because the spindle was greased, but I have had a couple of cranks weld on to crank arms, to the point where the threads were torn right out of the crank. Yes, using a trusty park tool crank puller. One was a 3 year old touring bike with 105 cranks, used on the salted streets of Montreal, hardly a junker.

If a little grease makes my job easier and stops me being an aggro jerk on the internet, then I am all for it.

Gordiep

^^^^

...you called it. This should be entertaining sport...especially if this gets moved to the mechanics forum.

furiousbob

What about hub threads? I don't know exactly what you call it but the threads where the 15mm bolts go on.

kemmer

Good idea.

TODD HAMMONS

Do us a favor and relax, Charlie

brownlandshark

Grease everything except the following: square taper crank spindles, any bolt or nut which may make contact with carbon fiber, and any ti bolt. (use anti sieze on all ti bolts) The type of grease doesn't really matter, you don't need to use much. Be sure to pull off the chainring bolts and grease them cause they never come greased. The reason that some old school mechanics insist on not greasing the crank spindle is because the grease will allow the arm to push into the taper a bit too much and if you remove and install the arm 10 to 30 times it may prematurley wear out the spindle taper and crank arm. Those older bottom brackets had to torn open much more often than the newer type. I'm sure greasing it won't hurt it but I never do.

JanMM

Don't grease tires or brake pads. Unless you like excitement.

Gordiep

I always grease the walls of my rims. It really improves brake-pad life.

Bob Dopolina 

Occasionally grease the palms of your LBS wrench with some java or some suds. This will make everything easier later.

DMF 

Proposition: Anti-seize on square-taper interface.

Ready: Aim: Fire!

TODD HAMMONS

I recently installed a Sugino 75 CS and BB, which is a square taper. I greased the spindle. I don't plan on removing it any time soon, but ride the hell out of the bike. Does this mean I should remove the grease from the spindle.

Deanster04

Definitely a slippery question...Get a good book on road and/or Mtb mechanics and read before you slather. Also, Sheldon Brown is a good source. Certain things you grease and certain things you don't. Get Educated! Before you apply the good grease!

Dr.Deltron

WOW! That's some nasty attitude, dude.
Do you like to get that kind of reply to your posts?

Having been a bicycle mechanic for 30+ years, I agree with Rad Ed.
Your post makes me think that you have been working on bikes for all of 10 minutes, out of your maaaybe 16 years of total time on this planet.

So, do us a favor and stop posting garbage!

JonathanGennick 

Grease or anti-seize? Isn't the purpose of grease to keep things from seizing up? Wouldn't an anti-seize compound be better for that purpose than plain old grease?