Joined: Jan 31, 2012 Posts: 197 Location: West Point, VA
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 9:10 am Post subject: leaf spring powdered graphite.
Hey guys. So I'm reading the manual on rebuilding the leaf springs and I saw on page 218 that I needed to place powdered graphite between each spring while reassembling it. 2 questions for you.
1: Where would I be able to find powdered graphite? Adavanced Auto?
2: What is it used for? I'm thinking maybe it's an corrossion proventitive but dissimiliar metals would cause corrosion. Then I thought maybe it was an anti squeak but again, that doesn't make any sense. What was the use of powdered graphite for?
Thanks for the help. _________________ Dave
52 M38A1
Joined: May 10, 2010 Posts: 615 Location: North Yorkshire, UK
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 9:26 am Post subject:
It's a dry lubricant, often used in padlocks and other moving parts likely to be exposed to weather, due to it preventing ingress of dirt & moisture. It is, however potentially corrosive to aluminium.
If you search on Google for "Graphite Powder Lubricant" you should find loads of places to buy it (I think even Amazon.com sell it).
Owen. _________________ Owen
1951 US Air Force M38
1944 F-1 1/2-ton Airdrome Trailer
1940 C15 Chevrolet CMP 11-cab
1939 DKW KS200 Motorcycle
MVT # 19406
Joined: Jan 31, 2012 Posts: 197 Location: West Point, VA
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 9:31 am Post subject:
would it be possible to replace that with a solid film lubricant that is used in an aresol can? I have access to PLENTY of that. I'll research the graphite lubricant specs online and see which one is better. Also, thankfully the leaves are steel so I'm not too worried about it being corrosive to aluminum. _________________ Dave
52 M38A1
Joined: May 10, 2010 Posts: 615 Location: North Yorkshire, UK
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 9:46 am Post subject:
All I've ever used is plain old grease (the same stuff you'd use on the spring shackles). Never had any problems. Solid film lubricant should be fine; many are graphite or Teflon based.
Owen. _________________ Owen
1951 US Air Force M38
1944 F-1 1/2-ton Airdrome Trailer
1940 C15 Chevrolet CMP 11-cab
1939 DKW KS200 Motorcycle
MVT # 19406
Joined: May 14, 2012 Posts: 150 Location: Milford CT
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 2:30 pm Post subject: Alternative lubricant
Search any subject on this forum, and you will find differing views! In my own case, I used a dry molybdenum spray (aerosol) from www.grainger.com as an alternative to graphite. I also primed the springs, others say don't, leave them bare, with just an external (after assembly) primer & OD. In any case, the lubricant is to allow the spring leaves to 'slide' on each other when compressed/released. Lack of some type of lubricant can cause 'galling' of the metal surfaces. You'll be able to tell how well it worked in another 60 years! _________________ "Frugality keeps me in the Game"
1952 M38 Project "Lazarus"
1951(?) M100 Trailer
1956-60 USAF Special Weapons Program
http://www.bill-capes.com/insanity - Updated 04/26/14
Joined: Jan 31, 2012 Posts: 197 Location: West Point, VA
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 2:43 pm Post subject: Re: Alternative lubricant
capescw wrote:
Search any subject on this forum, and you will find differing views! In my own case, I used a dry molybdenum spray (aerosol) from www.grainger.com as an alternative to graphite. I also primed the springs, others say don't, leave them bare, with just an external (after assembly) primer & OD. In any case, the lubricant is to allow the spring leaves to 'slide' on each other when compressed/released. Lack of some type of lubricant can cause 'galling' of the metal surfaces. You'll be able to tell how well it worked in another 60 years!
Well, we use solid film lubricant on helicopter blade pins to keep them from galling like you said. I think that it should work, but I'll check on the MSDS whether it is a teflon or graphite based. I asked a buddy and he thinks its graphite as do I. I just need to double check and make sure. Even if I go the powdered graphite rought, I'm sure it'll be inexpensive. I also have access to MolyB in a brush on form which would probably work as well. Thanks for the help!
-Dave _________________ Dave
52 M38A1
I found that a couple of tubes of graphite from the auto parts store will go along way. But in the spray can might be better. _________________ Tropical Veteran
35th Inf. Reg. "CACTI" 4th I.D. VN
Amateur Radio K5XOM
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