Which grease on suspension bearings?

Anonymous
Anonymous Posts: 79,667
edited July 2007 in MTB workshop & tech
I have an old Marin full susser (see sig). I'm having trouble curing the creaking on the rear swingarm bearings.

Currently I use Castrol Lithium grease, which cures the creaking for one ride, but by the second ride, it's creaking again.
I'm guessing that the grease is migrating, and isn't staying where I want it.
So... I've found the following two greases from CRC.
One is intended for use "in joints (handlebars & seatposts), forks and rear suspension pivots. It won't wash out and keeps everything quiet."
and the other grease "will not migrate away from bearing surfaces. Things run smoother and water won't be washing this grease out."

So which one do I go for? do I buy both and mix them together?

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    what are the bearings?

    ball, roller or bushings?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • mc
    mc Posts: 70
    If they're creaking, I'd hazard a guess at bushings.

    Personally I'd recommed some form of Molybdenum grease, as it's ideal for high load, low rotational movement pivots (we use it at work for greasing crane pivots). Cured a very similar creak on a Patriot a riding buddy used, that used to creak endlessly.

    It's more commonly available as CV joint grease for cars.
  • mc
    mc Posts: 70
    And going by the colour, I'd say the Super Coat Grease is in fact Moly Grease.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    what are the bearings?

    ball, roller or bushings?
    Sorry, they're sealed cartridge types, ball bearings, not rollers (rollers are the cylindrical bearings, right? same as needle rollers but thicker?)
    Personally I'd recommed some form of Molybdenum grease, as it's ideal for high load, low rotational movement pivots (we use it at work for greasing crane pivots). Cured a very similar creak on a Patriot a riding buddy used, that used to creak endlessly.
    Ah, that should work then, because the back end of the Marin and the Patriot are practically identical. The only difference if I remember correctly is that the bearings on th ptriot are clamped into place with an allen key, and on the Marin, they're an interference fit into the swingarm.

    HERE'S a diagram of the assembly. For what it's worth, I think the creaking noise is caused because of minute movement between either the axle (part 3 in diagram) and the inside of the bearings (part 4), or between the axle and the hardened sleve it fits into in the frame (not shown in the diagram).

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