lubricate, lubricate, lubricate :)

[JustinT]

hehe,

ok my LOOOONNNNNG going project of a skater dolley and skateboard dolley is moving along (alebit at a 1% per week speed)

anyway, the wheels i got came from a $13 skateboard and were stiff, as in would probably do 1 revolution when u spin it...

today i bought silicon lubricant spray and spared into the gaps... WOW... like now spins like crazy - only problem is, and i'm not sure how, but now the wheels seem looser on the bolts, like they move back and forth (before they were solid and would not move against the bolt).. and when it spins u hear the bearings (i assume this is because there is less fricting holding them...)

so my advice, when u use it, is to use just a bit of lube - too much will make them tooo loose if that makes sense...

just my tid bit

 

[libneon]

Maybe try a heavier lube like a grease. Go to an auto parts store and get that heavy black grease that is used on things like axles and stuff. It should allow the wheels to move without as much noise. Probably not quite as smooth but probably a better choice.

 

[tlorenzo]

Did you use something like WD40 to spray them with? Remember that some of these lubricant sprays will cause real grease to disappear. All bearings should be greased (trust me on this - I'm currently restoring a motorcycle and changing all bearings on it because the previous owner lubed them with WD40 *gosh*)

 

[libneon]

Yep, some "lubes" are essentially degreasers. You could also use graphite.

 

[JustinT]

hmmm not sure, there were two cans, one said degreaser and i thought...hmmm this aint right... so i got the silicon spray instead - but u might have a point there... because u can hear the bearings rattling inside now...

the reason i didn't get grease was because i was unsure of how i would get them into the tiny opening as i assume grease is quite thick... can u recommend anything? (ill get more details on the silicon spray when i get home)

Just found this description...

Silicone Spray Lubricant – This quick-drying, no-mess formula is synthetic, resisting high temperatures and good for wet environments. It lubricates and protects doors, locks, hinges and electrical parts such as sparkplug wires.

mean anthing?

 

[tlorenzo]

Yeah - it means don't use it in bearings ;-) The silicone spray is good in places without too many moving parts like doorhinges, sliding mechanisms, windows, springs and soforth... The small hole is propably where you'd use a grease gun to fill the bearing with bearing grease. A grease gun could look something like this:

http://aircompressorsdirect.com/catalog/images/TL103700AV_400.jpg

 

[Xion]

Go to your local skateboard shop and buy some real skateboard bearings. I suggest Zero's Black Widows. I have them on my skateboard and they spin like crazy.

 

[MarcM]

I agree, buy new bearings.
Also, a big yes to the above you don't want lub you want grease.