Just over 3 years ago I got my mono converted to tri-gear and it was suggested
to use the Nye product as a means of enabling the nose-wheel to castor smoothly
i.e. no jerky snatching when initiating turns with brakes. Because this grease
can also be used as a lubricant, I applied it to the spindle and bronze bushes.
This was an excellent idea which has worked smoothly and trouble free during
over
200 hours and about 250 flights. As time goes by the grease on the friction
disc gradually gets squeezed out around the edge of the disc and needs to be
wiped away.
A couple of flights ago I experienced slight nose-wheel shimmy while landing and
therefore tightened the nut at the top of the spindle, before making another
flight and getting a repeat of the shimmy.
So today I removed the nose-wheel fork and was slightly surprised to discover
that
there were only a few slight traces of Nye grease on the friction disc, which
had become glass smooth and dry without any stickiness. The grease remaining
on the spindle and the bushes had become somewhat less sticky and was quite
easy to wipe away.
All metal surfaces were corrosion free, unmarked and look new, so the grease
definitely
lubricates and protects. Following thorough cleaning with acetone and
paper towel, I applied new grease as before and reassembled, checking that the
nose-wheel fork has similar resistance to being turned.
Hindsight is marvellous and I thought when driving home that perhaps I should
have
slightly roughened the friction disc to give the grease a better surface to
hold. Ah well, next time!
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