Oilite Bushings - 2 lube or not to lube?

[snomobubl]

Purchased oilite bushings for front suspension (Yamaha/MPI kit) and steering (OFT kit).

The question is - should I apply grease to shafts, collars and bushings?

I don't think that Yamaha applies grease to the nylon bushings and metal parts from the factory. I know that the oilite is impregnated with oil and self lubricating. My thought is that grease will help to keep water out. My concern is whether bushing tolerances are designed for grease and if this may inhibit movement in extremely cold conditions.

Need some expert advice.

Rich

 

[sleddog66]

I lubed the front end oilites with no adverse problems. I think it helps with assembly also. On the OFT, I have not done mine yet.(doing them this summer), but I have heard they are very tight for the first couple hundred miles. I would also lube these with very light coat of grease. JMO

 

[sk-rx1]

Yamaha does ship sleds with a white grease on all suspension bushings.

 

[sherlock29]

yes lube!!!! even tho they are oilights its good to keep things lubed up... alot of guys still even put in grease fittings so they can have a "lifetime" bushing.

 

[TBay Sledhead]

Use a marine grease and keep them greased. It will stop the shafts from rusting which will cause bushing wear.

 

[Irv]

When I installed my Ulmer's kit Allen said some light clean engine oil would be fine and would help with assembly.
When I installed my OFT steering blocks, I was told not to use any type of lube, so I didn't.

I personally can't see these seizing/rusting if you don't use lube as they are oil impregnated?

But in the off season, I always spray shock tower bolts, a-arm bolts, suspension bolts etc with Rust Check or Krown as it creeps in there and helps displace moisture, and that I will be doing again as part of my normal summerization.

 

[kinger]

I was always told no lube as it just attracts dust and dirt. I used the oilite kit and OFT bushings all with no lube and no maint in the seasons.

 

[snomobubl]

I installed with coat of Mobil 1 Synthetic Grease. I hope I did the right thing here.

Seems that there are differing opinions on this. Any Oilite experts out there?

Thanks.

 

[apex55]

You would be amazed at how much oil will come out of the bushings. I would think this would somewhat thin the grease out making it less effective.

 

[stomper]

A little extra lube will not hurt anything, in fact it will probably help. I lube everthing where there will be friction. I completly understand what Kinger is saying and in certain aplication it is true but sleds typicly don't see alot of dust and dirt. At least mine don't. I even lube the small rod ends in the steering system with a product that I used to lube my mountain bike chain with called finishline teflon. It worked wonders for the mountain bike chain in the mud, water, dust and dirt. It went on wet and dried and left a coat of slippery durable teflon. I'm not sure if the stuff is still made or not.