MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Grease for splines

I've had a look at many old threads on what to use when greasing (lightly) the splines when putting the wheels back on after a clean-up. Many people used white lithium grease, but this is no longer being made worldwide it seems. There are now 3 in 1 lithium sprays now available, but it seems they set semi-hard after a while...not what you want on wheels when you go to take them off. I suppose the only other alternative is black high temperature bearing grease.
Gary Lock

Silver anti-seize compound?
Barney Gaylord

Hi Gary

BP anti seize grease AS11. usually available in small tins. Best not to grease the hub splines, but apply to the wheel hub splines. Helps prevent pushing the grease onto the taper when fitting the wheel. Best to keep the taper dry.

Regards John
John Lambie

Just to add my support for JL's point about avoiding grease on the hub shoulder. When dry the frictional contact with the wheel contributes a significant resistance against differential movement between hub and wheel. Without this resistance the useful life of the splines becomes shortened since the splines do all the work and their ends become pointed by deformation with the wheel splines.
J H Cole

Gary,
I use high temp nickel based anti sieze http://www.devcon.com/products/products.cfm?market=Maintenance%20%26%20Repair&family=Nickel%20Anti%2DSeize%20Lubricant
(used in the metal smelting industry).
I am a great believer that you need to lubricate the outer taper - where the spinner contacts the wheel hub (rubbing contact as you tighten the spinner). The splines need the minimum amount of anti-sieze - apply then wipe off excess with a rag before you fit the wheel. The inner taper surfaces need to be clean with only a smidgen of anti-sieze.
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

Actually the outer taper relies on friction to make the knock off nut self tightening. I doubt that a touch of oil or grease or anti-seize compound would defeat the self-tightening action, but if you want to lube something, lube the threads and leave the taper dry so it can use the friction to "walk" and tighten itself as you drive (just in case it was left loose).
Barney Gaylord

The grease is only there to prevent corrosion. I would imagine that the less slippery the grease, the better. I use a general all-purpose grease, same as in the chassis.
Steve Simmons

I grease the splines and thread but, in an effort to overcome wheel "clunking" on my MGA's (ie worn hub splines and/or wheels), I used to put a thin smear of Loctite (or similar) on the inside and outside tapers. This worked about half of the time (maybe more) and is probably worth a try. I remember one occasion when I had to get into my pit, jack the offending wheel off the ground and bang the inside of the rim with a heavy rubber mallet to release the "grip"! Both tapers have to be absolutely clean (I carefully remove the paint from the "treatment" area) and it pays to promptly remove any drips of Loctite on the painted wheel as it will damage the paint!
Barry Bahnisch

This thread was discussed between 08/11/2011 and 10/11/2011

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGA BBS now