Spare Tire Lift - grease?

[portlandcruiser]

I have the spare tire lift mechanism out and want to grease it up before reinstalling. What would you all recomend?

 

[3_puppies]

I think grease would attract dirt and road grime

 

[Njck22]

Any kind of general purpose grease would work but probably not necessary. Protect it from rust by rattle canning it then just carry a can of wd-40. If you get a flat and its not budging then spray some on.

 

[Comet]

Motorcycle riders have a heavy lube that sprays on the drive chain. PN-1 or something like that. I used that to lube the chain and mechanism. Any lube will attract dust and grime. That will in turn gum up the works. I have not had the spare tire down in a long time so YMMV.

 

[SteveH]

I have used white aerosol Lithium grease (sold for door hinges, hood latches) on many spare tire carriers. Really frees them up, and while I live on a dirt road, I have had zero issues of 'gumming up the works', over many years. Drop the tire, spray the winch guts, exercise the winch a time or two, and then reinstall the tire. Rust is a bigger enemy to a tire winch than dirt sticking to grease!

 

[Kleatus]

I have used white aerosol Lithium grease (sold for door hinges, hood latches) on many spare tire carriers. Really frees them up, and while I live on a dirt road, I have had zero issues of 'gumming up the works', over many years. Drop the tire, spray the winch guts, exercise the winch a time or two, and then reinstall the tire. Rust is a bigger enemy to a tire winch than dirt sticking to grease!

I agree. I’ve been using the same stuff for years on my cruiser and other vehicles with similar mechanisms. There’s a lot of wiggle room in the wheels chain drive, even if the grease is caked in dust and dirt it will still move fine. At least it won’t be rusty. I also do a 5 tire rotation so the chain gets exercised once in a while.

 

[mattressking]

I hit it with pb blaster initially to clear it out then silicone spray and cycled it. Smooth operation, but I'm sure a slightly higher viscosity would be good long term if not used ever.

 

[Freewheel]

Anti rust spray is the easiest. Rust check, Krown etc. Thin enough to not catch much dirt, but longer lasting than WD 40 or the other penetrating oils.