put grease in ball cups?

[Randy Webb]

Is it better to put grease in the ball cups for the throttle bell crank under the car? This will keep any grit in there where it will abrade things.

Or I can use graphite or Moly powder.

Any thoughts on whethere a dry lube might be better?

[Early_S_Man]

Randy,

Grease isn't the answer, as it attracts too much dirt!

Pure moly or graphite don't stay in place very well ... due to the constant movement of the throttle rods, IMHO! A 'binder' with heavy consistancy is needed ... Optimoly HT might work, but I haven't tried it. The Dow Corning light moly spray lube I tried ... didn't stay around for more than a week or so!

What I have been using for decades is the Permatex 'silver' Anti-sieze compound ... it has a 'heavy' nature to the formula, and stays in place very well. Started using it over three decades ago on hotrod VW dual carb throttle linkage, and it works great ... needs a 'touch-up' annually ... to every six months, depending on annual mileage.

[KTL]

I've had good luck so far with a grease from Dow Corning called Dow Corning 1292 Long Life Bearing Grease. I originally bought it for the clutch release fork pivot shaft and figured i'd give it a try on the ball cups in the throttle linkage. From Dow Corning:

Dow Corning 1292 Long Life Bearing
Grease is especially useful in bearings
that are exposed to harsh chemicals or
solvents, bearings used at moderate
speeds and extreme temperatures, and
bearings subject to heavy loads. This
fluorosilicone grease has successfully
lubricated a variety of mechanical
equipment parts, including those with
steel-against-steel surfaces. Used in the
automotive, aerospace, steel, glass and
mineral industries, Dow Corning 1292
Long Life Bearing Grease efficiently
lubricates:
• Antifriction bearings
• Sleeve bearings
• Splines
• Instrument gears
• Valves, including tapered plug-type
• Gaskets, seals, packings
• Engine linkages
• Circuit breaker components
Other industrial uses include chemical
and petroleum processing equipment
commonly subjected to heat,
chemicals, solvents and corrosive
atmospheres, and appliances and
machines where mechanisms are
lubricated for life, or infrequently.

Estimated temp. range is -40 to 400 F.

Though i'd take Warren's suggestion. Permatex silver is at every auto parts store on the face of the earth, it's cheap, and it lasts a long time. Just figured i'd throw out another alternative in case anybody cares. BTW, a 5 oz. tube of 1292 cost me $28! The equivalent Permatex silver quantity is probably $5?

[Randy Webb]

Thanks, I dunno why grease would retain dirt more than the silver anti-sieze but I'll use the latter.