Drive splines

[John A]

https://assets.danfoss.com/documents/76142/AI152986482538en-000304.pdf
Good information on splines

[berniebee]

"A recommended spline lubricant is a 50/50compound of a high temperature grease and a molybdenum disulphide powder."

Probably the most important line in the article.

[dxhall]

Interesting article.  My current favorite:

http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1914

It’s on sale.  May have to get a spare.

[SmithSwede]

I can confirm the failure mode on the small block drive splines is fretting, with the characteristic reddish brown oxide present when I go to relube them (when changing rear tires).  I’ve been using Guard Dog moly paste which is about 50% moly.  I think it is actually too dry and gets pounded out of the splines.  I plan to mix that with some of the SIG3000 to see if it stays in place better. 

Here’s another interesting article.  It notes that fretting corrosion increases in a less humid environment, which is not what I would have expected.  Also seems you really want a liquid lube environment where the lube can be constantly replenished in operation.  Using grease is not optimal. 

https://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/693/fretting-wear

[Perazzimx14]

Interesting article.  My current favorite:

http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1914

It’s on sale.  May have to get a spare.

$8.95 shipping is a bit steep but being on sale softens the blow. $25 and change ain't bad. Order placed!

[Wayne Orwig]

$8.95 shipping is a bit steep but being on sale softens the blow. $25 and change ain't bad. Order placed!

Toss in some oil filters and such to make the shipping less painful.

[Perazzimx14]

Toss in some oil filters and such to make the shipping less painful.

I used to do that and ended up with more filters than the HiFlo factory :)

[guzziart]

On the subject of shipping, etc.....

I went online to procure front & rear brake master cylinder reservoir diaphragms for my '12 Wee Strom.  They cost about $8.95 each plus $9.95 S & H, totaling about $32 incl. tax wherever I looked and 6-10 day delivery.  So, for the heck of it, I called the local Suzuki dealer....$13.91 for both incl tax, they'll be in on wednesday or thursday.  I think I have to review my future online ordering strategy for convenience & cost effectiveness.

Oh, I did the Wurth 3000 thing + shipping with MG Cycle too... no regrets.

[Perazzimx14]

On the subject of shipping, etc.....

I went online to procure front & rear brake master cylinder reservoir diaphragms for my '12 Wee Strom.  They cost about $8.95 each plus $9.95 S & H, totaling about $32 incl. tax wherever I looked and 6-10 day delivery.  So, for the heck of it, I called the local Suzuki dealer....$13.91 for both incl tax, they'll be in on wednesday or thursday.  I think I have to review my future online ordering strategy for convenience & cost effectiveness.

Oh, I did the Wurth 3000 thing + shipping with MG Cycle too... no regrets.

This works a lot of the time on late model motorcycles but for aftermarket or older stuff you are SOL and will incur shipping if you want the parts.

[Scout63]

I mix Honda moly 50/50 with high temp grease.  It was a BMW recommendation from years ago but those Germans know their lubricants.

[John A]

I clean and degrease ( like I was going to paint but not that good) then spray on dry film moly, cure with heat. Then I use wurth grease. That gives me the most longevity of splines. Another good thing is not to run below 4K with any load on it for that will hammer out splines quickly even though it will run without complaint below 4

[SmithSwede]

I clean and degrease ( like I was going to paint but not that good)

That was my original mistake.  I slathered on a lot of grease.  At the next service, I saw plenty of grease so I just put more on top. 

I’m now convinced that is dead wrong.  The fretting action creates iron oxides that abrade the splines.   So you really need to remove the old grease, clean the splines thoroughly to get rid of the debris, then re-grease. 

[Perazzimx14]

That was my original mistake.  I slathered on a lot of grease.  At the next service, I saw plenty of grease so I just put more on top. 

I’m now convinced that is dead wrong.  The fretting action creates iron oxides that abrade the splines.   So you really need to remove the old grease, clean the splines thoroughly to get rid of the debris, then re-grease.

Also a thin film is all thats needed. If you glob it the excess will just push off out/off during reassembly. I use flux brushes from HF to paint it on then throw away the brush. A 36 count pack is $2.49 or $1.99 with omnipresent 20% coupon so i don't feel bad about a one time use.