Grease recommendation for midyear headlight pivot ball and sockets?

[Tracy C.]

I'm about to assemble/install my headlight buckets on my 63 and need a good recomendation for a grease for the pivot ball and sockets. It gets cold here in the Kansas winters so I need something that will not turn to molasses with cold temps. (like I will take it out for a drive below freezing..)

Also need something for the headlight motor gears as I will be tearing them apart for a good cleaning and lube before installing.


thanks,
tc

[Kurt G.]

Re: Grease recommendation for midyear headlight pivot ball and sockets?

Tracy, white lithium grease works great in climate extremes. It adheres to parts well and won't get hard when cold or melt when summer hits KS and you start grillin burgers over a hot sidewalk.

[Steven B.]

Re: Grease recommendation for midyear headlight pivot ball and sockets?

Tracy, I agree with Kurt. You can get it at any GM or auto parts store in spray can. I just picked up a can at Auto Zone. I use it on all hinges, headlight mechanisms, etc. Steve

[Tracy C.]

Re: Grease recommendation for midyear headlight pivot ball and sockets?

Tracy, white lithium grease works great in climate extremes. It adheres to parts well and won't get hard when cold or melt when summer hits KS and you start grillin burgers over a hot sidewalk.

Kurt, I once excavated some dried out lithium grease from a Corvette part and my kids used it as sidewalk chalk. I was hoping there was a modern day synthetic wiz bang substitute availible today. I want to be once on done on this deal as midyear headlight buckets are a PITA to R&R.

Thanks for the reply and if nothing better surfaces, I may just go there with the white lithium.

tc

[Gary C.]

Re: Grease recommendation for midyear headlight pivot ball and sockets?

Tracy,

There's a black graphite grease that's superior to white lithium. I'm traveling or I'd get the name from my shop for you.

Gary
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[Duke W.]

Re: Grease recommendation for midyear headlight pivot ball and sockets?

I recommend a full synthetic NGLI #2 grease for both the bearings and gearbox. A #2 will still be slippery down to subzero temperatures, and a synthetic base oil will evaporate less quickly. Mobil and Valvoline offer suitable products.

White lithium will dry out much faster. It's okay for exterior jobs like hood latches that will be cleaned and greased regularly, but the above recommendation is better for a "lubed for life" application, and it's also an excellent choice for the steering linkage and ball joints.

Duke

[Carl N.]

Re: Grease recommendation for midyear headlight pivot ball and sockets?

Guess I'm still old school - I use Lubriplate #1242 - works real well in extreme temp swings in Texas - I have to go to an industrial bearing supply store to purchase - not found in most auto parts stores

[Kurt G.]

Re: Grease recommendation for midyear headlight pivot ball and sockets?

Tracy, the white lithium grease I use comes in a tub, not a tone or can. I started using it in the '80's when I had an electric trolling motor repair business. The tub is still soft and slimy after about 30 years, and some of the things I've used it on are still soft and slick. Come over and I'll show you what I use. With it lasting as long as it has, I would say the next owner of you S/W will be the next to worry about it.

[Tracy C.]

Re: Grease recommendation for midyear headlight pivot ball and sockets?

Thanks to all !