Lube for BB/crank
 

Pulled my shimano crank to clean the BB etc.

Just curious what, if any, lube you put on it when reinstalling. Marine lube or something lighter?

Square taper BBs should not have grease (that's somewhat controversial). Splined interfaces should have some grease and I would have no reservation using marine grease (mostly because it's already in my grease gun).

As said if it is square taper, no grease. The cranks try to come off by themselves - no need to help em!

Are they external sealed or loose bearings?

External sealed Shimano BB and bearings.

Those are throw away(sealed bearings)when they are shot.Buy no means try to squirt oil in the rubber seals around the edge.It still seems to me that I have less bearing resistance on my older bike with $10 in new bearings and synthetic grease.
Wait till you get the price on replacement sealed bearings.

He wants to know what kind of lube to use on the splines, not for lubricating the bearings.

SpongeDad: Just about anything will work. I use Park grease because I have it. I used Phil Wood before that. As for square taper, grease 'em. Same goes for splines.

I do believe the holiday spirits are effecting my reading comprehension tonight.
How about do not grease the pedals or neighbors cat?Have a nice Christmas people.

LMAO! My wife got a big chuckle out of that. She says, "him, I like."

I will do my best to not grease anyone's cat or, more importantly, my pedals.

Yes, I'm not trying to lube the bearings - focusing about the splines and/or crank shaft.

I do not understand why you removed the cranks (and BB) on a sealed unit just to clean? I do not currently have an fancy outside bearing splined BBs but I can't imagine there is much that can't be cleaned with a few rags an old tooth brush and some simple green. IMHO other than a once a year overhaul (milage pending) a BB and headset that work should be disassemble for a routine cleaning/lube