Grease vs oil on pedal axle

[Tim Bennett]

So I've been told through videos and Forum posts that I should not grease anything on my pedal Steel, instead opting for light machine oil.

What about the axle of the pedals themselves? I'm stripping back my sho bud crossover to clean each of its components and the axle is pretty greasy - it occurs to me that this mechanism is more of an application for grease rather than oil.

Also any thoughts on whether is should degrease and degrease the axle? If so any recommendations for grease type? I have a tube of lithium grease that I use on my bicycle, which I gather would probably work okay.

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[Ron Bryson]

Clean all of the old grease and grime from the pedals and axle. I would suggest an application of light oil. Lithium grease tends to harden after time.

[Mike Vallandigham]

I've always used light oil - but it does need to be re-oiled from time to time. It doesn't seem to last that long.

[Dave Magram]

I agree that white lithium grease is not good to use on a PSG, because it dries up and hardens like a rock over time.

I've used Teflon (PTFE) grease on my PSG, and it works fine.

Just Google "PTFE grease" to find where it is sold near you, such as Ace Hardware, etc.

- Dave

[Tim Bennett]

Much appreciated folks, appreciate the help!

[Bob Carlucci]

Yeah, I know greases from 1960 would "harden over time" but I had my hands in all types of grease every day from the 70's to the 2000's, and still do today, and they all stay slick and greasy year after year.. Modern lubes are much more advanced and reliable than they were years ago.You can oil that pedal axle, if you don't mind re applying it now and then , but me i would take it out, wipe it down, and apply the same modern grease i would use on a wheel bearing or ball joint on a car, and never have to do it again most likely... Modern day oil, grease , lubricants, are much better than what we used decades ago, and i have yet to see ANY modern grease get hard and cause a mechanism to freeze up or bind...

[Bobby D. Jones]

Oil is good, But you have to keep repeating the Application of oil.
On locations with high working pressure and little movement I prefer grease. Most modern greases have better use life, Than 1960-70's era greases.
Silicone fishing reel grease is my choice for some steel guitar applications.

[Donny Hinson]

I'm with Bob and Bobby on this one! Grease is probably a better choice for this because it won't spread (wick out due to capillary action). As to what kind to use, any thin, all-purpose grease like lithium, silicone, or moly should be fine.

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