Lube My Sheave???

[redsky49]

In one of the smaller problems afloat, I have disassembled a Schaefer 2-1/2" block which was seized. On disassembling it I found a bronze(?) plain bearing/bushing supporting the stainless steel axle or pin. Cleaned up it has negligible corrosion, and reassembled it spins properly. This block is part of the mainsheet tackle.



My question: Is this an oilite oil infused bushing, or is it just a bronze bushing/bearing which requires lubrication. And if it is to be lubricated, with what?

[Tcubed66]

My sheaves were regular bronze bushings which I replaced with new. I used a light coating on marine grease on mine but some have used winch grease.

[tkeithlu]

A little bit of waterproof - usually white lithium - grease will do it. The sheave will work OK without it, given the low speed involved, but the grease will delay the day you need to do that cleaning again, and reduce friction a bit.

[ggray]

Superlube!

[Bill O]

Originally Posted by ggray

Superlube!

Yep, a small amount of Superlube (spray or grease) or any other similar product w/PTFE. A little dab will do you!

[Alan Mighty]

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

A little bit of waterproof - usually white lithium - grease will do it. The sheave will work OK without it, given the low speed involved, but the grease will delay the day you need to do that cleaning again, and reduce friction a bit.

I concur.

A bearing that deals with considerable load, but at a low speed.

A thick grease, or mixture of greases, does the job.

A relatively thick grease - such as a marine grease or anhydrous lanolin - mixed with white lithium grease does the job and might be best done when the mast is horizontal.

With mast vertical, an aerosol can of white lithium grease used with an extension tube to apply the white lithium grease direct to the bearing when doing periodical inspection and removal of dust and salt crystals.

[Spot]

'Any grease is better than no grease at all'-signature of a poster over at iboats.com


Recent digging on the interwebs led me to find that Oilite bearing were often made using SAE30 oil and I was told that 3-in-1 is not the best substitute in high(er) RPM applications.

[redsky49]

If it actually is Oilite, wouldn't 30 wt. oil be the best? Sadly Schaefer, the manufacturer, provides no guidance on their website.


I am inclined to use Superlube, rather than something lighter, to avoid washout.

[Bill O]

This is a sheave for a mainsheet, so it really isn't going to see high rpms.

I would correctly identify the block (by calling or look at catalogs) to determine if it was a simple bronze sleeve (most likely).

While a thick lithium grease is good for some apps, would rather have a thin film of teflon (PTFE) on the bearing as a dry lube. It would be less likely to get on lines and attract less dirt in the bearing than grease.

[Orion Jim]

Originally Posted by redsky49

If it actually is Oilite, wouldn't 30 wt. oil be the best? Sadly Schaefer, the manufacturer, provides no guidance on their website.


I am inclined to use Superlube, rather than something lighter, to avoid washout.

If you call Schaefer you may be lucky enough to get the same person I did when I asked nearly the same question on my thirty-five year old turning blocks. When I called she said “oh, we haven’t made those in years but we still have all the parts in stock to rebuild them”. I bought the parts and it took only a few minutes each to end up with “new” turning blocks for a very small cash outlay. Super Lube is my recommendation.