Don't use graphite with aluminum! By kiwiscoot (Read 547 times)

[kiwiscoot]

I used to use graphite (HB pencil) to lubricate the rollers in the variator. Someone warned on another forum against using it.
It facilitates galvanic corrosion of the aluminum.
www.mechanicsupport.com/graphite_antiseize.html
www.boeing.com/commercial/aeromagazine/aero_07/corrosn.html
As most of the rollers seem to have a metal bush and most variators have bronze bushes I would like to warn against using graphite at all for this.
Happy scooting
Kiwiscoot

[jct842]

as far as lubing rollers that sounds counter productive. a coating of oil would just slow the rollers progress. one thing that might make a variator work better is anodizing, hard coating the track where the sliders or rollers work. john

[Bashan]

Thanks Kiwi, great warning to prevent a big headache down the road. John, that makes a lot of sense, I would think they're designed for a certain amount of friction. Here's the instructions for installation for weights from Buggy Parts NW, lubrication is not mentioned in the short read I gave it before the wife yelled at me to come to the table (pasta with sausage! : BUGGY PARTS NW ROLLER INSTALLATION

[kiwiscoot]

Dr Pulleys manufacturer Unionmaterial told me the same thing when I asked them about lubrication of the rollers/sliders. The material that the sliders are made of is self lubricating. They should go in dry.
Regarding the variator tracks, I've seen adverts for ones with teflon covered tracks and backing plate.
Happy scooting
Kiwiscoot