WD40 - Silicone Spray - White Lithium Grease

[Horst SE MI]

I use Silicone Spray on my jacks. Would White Lithium Grease be a better choice for the jacks ???

Which of the three is best for use on the power steps?

Does WD in WD40 stand for Wire Drier or Water Displacement ???

Happy New Year!

[SeeTheUSA]

Not sure about the white lithium question about the jacks, but WD-40 isn't a good lubricant. You are right about the "water displacement" thing.

I use white lithium grease on my power steps (and lots more).

[chboone]

Water displacement formula 40. The original is a good penetrating oil, not a good lubricant. If you want to lube your steps, use something else.

Chuck

[Arch Hoagland]

I use white lithium grease on my steps and transmission fluid on my jacks.

WD40 is not recommended for jacks.

I used to use spray on silicon on the jacks but found that transmission fluid lasted longer.

[stink]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

I use white lithium grease on my steps and transmission fluid on my jacks.

WD40 is not recommended for jacks.

I used to use spray on silicon on the jacks but found that transmission fluid lasted longer.

Ditto on the ATF. I was taught to use whatever drives a hydraulic cylinder to lube the exposed rod. And yup, your jacks are Hyd cylinders that usually use ATF as a fluid. Just put some in a spray bottle and apply then wipe off. Spray lithium on your steps and silicone (dry) on your electric rack and pinion style slide mech.

[krivanj]

If you read the info for HWH jacks on their website, and talk to their techs, they say to use WD-40. They told me that when I was at their factory.

Also, my Equalizer Systems jacks says WD-40...

[Arch Hoagland]

Originally Posted by krivanj

If you read the info for HWH jacks on their website, and talk to their techs, they say to use WD-40. They told me that when I was at their factory.

Also, my Equalizer Systems jacks says WD-40...

http://www.winnebagoind.com/resource...WH%20Jacks.pdf

Wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.

[Clayobx]

Still don't believe!

[Shellback1]

According to the company that makes WD-40: WD-40 literally stands for water displacement 40th attempt. That's the name straight out of the lab book used by the chemist who helped develop WD-40 back in 1953. Norm Larsen, was attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion, a task which is done by displacing water. Norm's persistence paid off when he perfected the formula for WD-40 on his 40th try.
Rocket Chemical Company

WD-40 was invented by the three founders of the Rocket Chemical Company of San Diego, California. The team of inventors were working on a line of industrial rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for use in the aerospace industry.
WD-40 was first used to protect the outer skin of the Atlas Missile from rust and corrosion. Norm Larsen repackaged WD-40 into aerosol cans for consumer use and the product was sold to the general public in 1958. In 1969, the Rocket Chemical Company was renamed after its only product WD-40.

Interesting Uses for WD-40

Two of the craziet purposes for WD-40 include a bus driver in Asia who used WD-40 to remove a python snake which had coiled itself around the undercarriage of his bus, and police officers who used WD-40 to remove a naked burglar trapped in an air conditioning vent.

[Bumps]

That's a great idea about using ATF on the exposed pistons. Way too obvious -- don't know how I missed that. THANKS! \ken

[chboone]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

http://www.winnebagoind.com/resource...WH%20Jacks.pdf

Wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.

The document primarily says to use WD40 for cleaning the rod, which WD40 is very good for. It does not say WD40 is a lubricant, which it isn't. Once WD40 dries it no loner has any lubricating properties. Any moving part is metal to metal.

Chuck

[DGBPokes]

Okay, what about the rods on your tow bar?

[Horst SE MI]

I went to the web site as presented by Arch Hoagland and found that it mostly talked about using WD40 to repair frozen jacks. It then cleans the jacks for better future operation. It does not mention how to treat the jacks after cleaning.
I will keep using silicone spray for normal operating use. Currently we are parked 1/4 mile from the ocean in Melbourne Beach and I spray my jacks every two days with silicone as recommended by Power Gear. To use ATF fluid such as Dexron III does make sense, but I have never read it in any of the manuals of our prior motor homes or the current one.
I like this discussion and find it beneficial!

[ROMANICHEL]

I use WD-40 Brand, white lithium grease (spray) everywhere and on everything that move, Slide out racks and gear, jacks, stairs, 5th wheel saddles compononent, works great for me and easy to use. I work in engineering departement for the hydro turbine industries and we use this product a lot to avoid friction and rust in very humid conditions.
Mike