Clay Based Lubricant

[iceit]

I have a 2006 Diplomat and the manuel calls for a clay based lubricant for the Slack Adjsters/S-Cams. Most of the truck parts dept. and RV service shops have never heard of such a lubricant. Can a lithium base be used instead of the clay based lubricant. If not, how can I get a hold of a tube of clay based for a grease gun?

[RustyJC]

Here's a ConocoPhillips product - Bentonite clay-based grease.

Rusty

[Logthumper]

The subject of Clay Based grease for slack adjusters most always end up with not being able locating the stuff. I also suspect that the shop you have grease your chassis don’t use the stuff, but instead use whatever is handy. Years ago I switched to Synthetic Grease which I use for everything. I’m 71 years old and to date I have never experienced any kind of mechanical breakdown. I do believe in a good maintenance program and I do all the maintenance myself so I know it’s done. Compared to what a mechanical failure would cost in parts and shop time, quality oil and grease is cheap, and I use a lot of the stuff. Some may disagree about using Synthetic Grease on everything, but I’ll stay with it.

[SacsTC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceit I have a 2006 Diplomat and the manuel calls for a clay based lubricant for the Slack Adjsters/S-Cams. Most of the truck parts dept. and RV service shops have never heard of such a lubricant. Can a lithium base be used instead of the clay based lubricant. If not, how can I get a hold of a tube of clay based for a grease gun?

I use Shell Albida EP NLGI #2.
And I get it here

Quote:

Shell Albida EP 2 is a high performance, multipurpose, extreme pressure grease designed to lubricate the ball, roller and plain bearings found in marine equipment subject to high temperature and heavy load. It is also suitable for bearings which are subject to high levels of vibration and in cases where water or moisture are present. Shell Albida EP 2 is based on a blend of high viscosity index mineral oils, a lithium complex soap thickener and lead free extreme pressure additives. Shell Albida EP 2 operates well in the temperature range –15 C to + 150 C

[Marty S.]

You can get Clay based grease from "Mcmaster.com" (sorry I don't know how to do a clickable link). It's $8.74. for a tube that fits a grease gun. At least on my coach a clay based grease is required because of the high heat that the disc brakes generate. Marty

[Sixpack98]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logthumper The subject of Clay Based grease for slack adjusters most always end up with not being able locating the stuff. I also suspect that the shop you have grease your chassis don’t use the stuff, but instead use whatever is handy. Years ago I switched to Synthetic Grease which I use for everything. I’m 71 years old and to date I have never experienced any kind of mechanical breakdown. I do believe in a good maintenance program and I do all the maintenance myself so I know it’s done. Compared to what a mechanical failure would cost in parts and shop time, quality oil and grease is cheap, and I use a lot of the stuff. Some may disagree about using Synthetic Grease on everything, but I’ll stay with it.

You bring up and excellent point, most of the grease monkeys use what ever is available. I talked to Monaoc tech support some time ago and they said standard Lithium based grease was fine and synthetic was even better. The new greases hold up very well to the extreme heat.

[chasfm11]

I order mine through Foretravel. I have Meritor axles with brake components and what I get is their brand of grease. I had been able to order it one time through a speciality truck shop in Dallas but working with Foretravel is easier.

[Sixpack98]

Just read in the Roadmaster Lubrication guide that clay based lubricant is not required for drum brake slack adjusters and high temp Lithium soap base lubricant can be used. Clay based is required for disc brake assemblies according to the guide. Oh well, I still will use up the 4 tubes of clay based lubricant.

[pipedream2]

Mark
It is not recommended to mix the two greases......they can solidify in there ......when you run out of clay make sure you flush it all out of the joint with soap base give it more than a few extra pumps to make sure
Dennis

[Sixpack98]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipedream2 Mark It is not recommended to mix the two greases......they can solidify in there ......when you run out of clay make sure you flush it all out of the joint with soap base give it more than a few extra pumps to make sure Dennis

You are correct and I did purge the original grease out even though Monaco Tech Support (pre-bankruptcy ) said the original was Lithium based.

mark