No lube on 6-gear diff thrust bearing?

[flatspunout]

I haven't rebuilt a 6-gear in three decades, so while going through my old one "by the book" I noticed the manual does not call for any lubrication on the diff thrust bearing or washers. Is that correct?? Surely it's an omission from the manual...I've never heard of such sorcery.

[juicedcoupe]

https://img2.associatedelectrics.com/pdf/cars_and_trucks/RC10_Classic/RC10_Classic_Kit/manual_RC10Classic_2013.pdf

For the thrust bearing, I use whatever general purpose grease I have handy, usually something for a fishing reel.

For the diff, whatever ball diff grease I have. The last couple I did, I used Tamiya ball diff grease on.

[flatspunout]

Interesting that the re-re manual says to lube it while the original does not. The original manual also indicates grease should be used on the inner hub of the spur gear, I see that is omitted from the re-re version.

I’m tempted to believe the guys who designed the car as opposed to whoever wrote the new manual.

[juicedcoupe]

It might be a difference in materials used in the original vs the re-re.

If the cage for the original thrust bearing was a self-lubricating material, they might not have felt it necessary to grease it. And since it was designed as a race car, routine maintenance and inspection would be expected.

[radioactivity]

flatspunout

rc10resto found an excerpt from the original manual.
"The following copied from AE RC10 Classic Manual:

VariLok Diff Adjustment Tips:
Be sure to only use Associated diff lube #6636, and apply a small
amount on both sides of the diff balls. Do not use this diff grease
anywhere else on the vehicle! It is not intended as a lubricant (Use only
Associated diff lube as it has special additives to ensure the balls roll
instead of slide)."

I believe that the 6636 lube has some "grit" to it that makes it quite different than other lubes.


Chuck

[juicedcoupe]

6636 is pretty much the same thing as every ball diff grease out there. It allows the balls to turn freely in the gear, while reducing slip between the balls and rings.

And the original RC10 used an on-road style differential, which is why they say to use their "on-road" grease.

[jwscab]

The thrust bearing should get a moly grease. The diff balls should have a silicone based lubricant. No matter the brand of diff. Never run them dry.

[flatspunout]

flatspunout

rc10resto found an excerpt from the original manual.
"The following copied from AE RC10 Classic Manual:

VariLok Diff Adjustment Tips:
Be sure to only use Associated diff lube #6636, and apply a small
amount on both sides of the diff balls. Do not use this diff grease
anywhere else on the vehicle! It is not intended as a lubricant (Use only
Associated diff lube as it has special additives to ensure the balls roll
instead of slide)."

I believe that the 6636 lube has some "grit" to it that makes it quite different than other lubes.


Chuck

Just for clarity, that's step 74 from the original manual and it is referring to the spur gear balls, not the diff thrust bearing balls.

[jcwrks]

The thrust bearing should get a moly grease. The diff balls should have a silicone based lubricant. No matter the brand of diff. Never run them dry.

As pointed out above the og manual doesn't state that you need to put any grease on the thrust. I never used any bitd , nor did any racers I know. It's also worth noting that the Losi hydradrive used a similar thrust that was exposed, and it too did not require grease.

[Bottom Feeder]

The thrust bearing should get a moly grease. The diff balls should have a silicone based lubricant. No matter the brand of diff. Never run them dry.

As pointed out above the og manual doesn't state that you need to put any grease on the thrust. I never used any bitd , nor did any racers I know. It's also worth noting that the Losi hydradrive used a similar thrust that was exposed, and it too did not require grease.

True, but just like the gears, just because it doesn't state it requires lubrication doesn't mean it wouldn't benefit from using some of the correct type.

[GoMachV]

I ran my 6 gears thrust dry back in the day simply from not knowing better. These days I definitely would. Excess will fling off anyway so just a super light coating is all it needs.

As a side note, our power clutch thrust called for grease.

[Medved]

I've found that the original manual is much better in telling you how to get the diff set up properly. I followed the original manual and my diff performs much better