Grease

[SweeperForce]

Hello,
Just got a new grease gun last weekend. The only grease I can find in my area is made by Traveller from Tractor Supply.

My manual Says to use Quicksilver 2-4-C with Teflon. Will the grease I bought be ok to use in the steering tube and in the pivot point for the engine.

Thanks,
Tom

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Grease

Fellow iboater has as his signature, "any grease is better than no grease."

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Grease

+1 on that.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Grease

I'm betting you have a Mercury. And of course they want you to use their branding. It's about money, not that your motor will disintegrate ...

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: Grease

I try to use what's recommended and switching grease can be problematic if the types are not compatible. That being said, you have a merc dealer 12 miles away so that might be an option.

I will add, that very few issues are caused by using the wrong grease. It's usually about using no grease.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Grease

No Auto Zones or Advance Auto in Pensltucky?
They have a grease that's used in Marine apps.
The steering tube is gonna gum up no mater what you use.
On the steering I use WD-40 to clean the shaft.
Turn steering wheel and spray,spray and turn.
Then I use a white lithium spray(again A.Z.)

 

[belairbrian]

Re: Grease

I was suprised (pleasantly) to find harbor Freight carries Sta-Bil marine grease. Our has the large and small tubes. I like the small tube for carrying a grease gun in my truck box. The big ones for the air powered gun.

On the sterring shaft I use Dupont Spray Teflon. I've used it for years on the RV slide out rooms. Once it is dry it will not attract dirt or dust, and does not wash off when water gets on it.

 

[TwoFish]

Re: Grease

I am currently attending a “Marine certificate 2” TAFE Course here in Australia. The course uses the same premises and lectures as the marine apprentices attend. This particular course is designed to give your average boater enough knowledge to do basic maintenance on boats, motors and trailers.

Every few weeks we get to bring our own boats in and work on problems with the lecturer overseeing the work. Last time someone had a tight steering problem. The tilt tube had corroded internally and was seizing the steering cable. We removed the cable and used an adjustable reamer to clean out the corroded tilt tube. Each time the reamer was worked through the tube it was adjusted out slightly larger until the inside diameter of the tube was to spec. Then everything was cleaned and reassembled. New seals we fitted to prevent water from getting into the tube and lithium grease applied as Jerry suggested. The lecturer was saying that unless the tube is cleaned out properly it will seize again quickly.

It may be that what some people think is grease going hard is rust in the tilt tube.

Another way of removing the rust is to use a rod with a split in it and slotting sand paper through the slot. Spin this in a drill and run it through the tilt tube. Not as effective or accurate as the reamer but still does the job.

As far as grease goes we were told to use a marine grade grease only as some greases have a clay component that goes hard in salt water.

Hope this helps.

Cheers


TwoFish

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Grease

The trouble with reaming out the tube ,it can actually start to bind if taken too far.
I use a tube brush.Kinda like a shotgun bore cleaner on steroids.
Harbor Freight, Home Depot has it.A few other places too.
I hook it to a drill and with WD 40 I clean and clean.
Some OMC's have a stainless tube and it can corrode and sieze on the steering.
No repairs on them if they are too bad.
Most Force/Chrysler is made from aluminum.

 

[belairbrian]

Re: Grease

I actually use a bore brush on the inside of the tilt tube. IIRC it's a 30-06. Was thinking about picking up a bore snake since they're flexible. I coat it with Break Free CLP.