I've got a question for all of you, would like your input. I maintain my sleds very well, always greasing and doing the proper maintenance. I would like to know, with all the options out there, what is the best grease for sleds?
I have run, AC, Polaris, and Moto Ski sleds, and always use a lithium type grease, I have never experienced any major problems, but wonder if there is a better grease I should be using.
I do realize that since I grease my sleds frequently, I don't experience many probs. However, during discussions with some of my sled friends, there is a wide range of greases that are being used for sleds.
I'd love to have feedback on what is the best type of grease to use for sleds. Thanks for the help, it is appreciated.

A quality synthetic low temp grease used at regular intervals is all you need. make sure not too miss any zerks.

I buy a low temperature grease from my dealer to hit the zerk fittings on the rear and front suspension throughout the year. Sorry, can't remember the brand but I know it's not Bombardier grease. It's designed so it doesn't turn into putty on cold days. I'm not sure the brand means much, so long as it stays thin in cold weather. A standard lithium grease may get clumpy, or so I have been told. I'm sure your local sled dealer can get you some and it's cheap if I remember. I too would like to hear if there are any advantages of one brand over another. I'll bet Amsoil makes some really good stuff.
'02 MXZ 600

I would just buy the manufactors product.

This is BRPs-

http://www.ski-doo.com/SkiDooPublic/_static/neutral/images/product/293550033_FT_md.jpg

I just use Canadian Tire's low temp grease. I imagine in the US, NAPA, Auto Zone or Pep Boys have something similiar & no doubt cheaper in price than the OEM stuff.

you can buy OEM products if you have extra money laying around.

But there are cheaper/equivalent products out there. Amsoil is a good one.

FishHog

Amsoil synthetic is a good one to use or any good synthetic will work.

I would imagine that any auto grease should work, it works on your auto in the exact same temps that your riding your sled in. Unless their is a lube expert here that can break it down for us. :)

Originally posted by revrnd@Jul 30 2004, 11:40 AM
I just use Canadian Tire's low temp grease. I imagine in the US, NAPA, Auto Zone or Pep Boys have something similiar & no doubt cheaper in price than the OEM stuff.
Same here and never had a problem yet.

Amsoil synthetic , best grease, doesn't get washed out by water. Stickier then snot!
Also works great for holding cageless wrist pin needle bearings in place when assembling top ends.

Ive used the Bombi stuff in the past but now run any good synth grease. They all handle lower temps than I typically ride in anyway. Amsoil, Mobil1, and I beleive it was Amolie are all rated down to @-45F. They area all cheaper than the Bombi stuff and can be used on any hi-temp stuff too. Have you ever seen what happens to Bombi grease when the temps get warm? It melts and drools all over the place. At that point I question weather or not its protecting very well.

Any low temp grease, or any synthetic(all synthetic is good in low temps) will do. Why waste your money on namebrand grease, lots of guys will tell you one brand is better or this or that. Unless they have spent the money to do independent research on the properties of that specific grease, they are just reciting what they read on the tube or some sales guy told them. It's friggin grease, not rocket fuel buy the cheap stuff, do regular maintenance, and it won't matter anyway.

the biggest concern is that you dont mix and match your greases.

once you start with a brand stick with that brand.

if you mix 2 different types of greases you can start a chemical reaction in your bearings.

as for the any auto grease statement !
most auto lubes are extreme pressure greases not good for ball bearings auto grease is for taper roller bearings u joints and such.

i have used lubriplate low temp bearing grease for 20 years with no problems.

remember the old boggie machines with all the wheels and zerks!

the other thing to remember is to not over grease.
most bearings only require 30% fill.

if you pump pump and pump your bearings untill you see grease out the other side bad idea. too much grease actually stops ball rotation and causes balls to skid rather than roll.

check out bearing sites like skf.com or mrc.com or timken.com

or my favorite kamandirect.com (got to put a plug in for the employer)

stay away from lithium grease it will absorb water. i use Ski-Doo synthetic only because it is handy at the dealer and there is canadian tire products but i have no luck there. i have another grease gun loaded with all temp grease that my brother in-law uses on his sled and the difference i can see it oil base grease is messy compared to synthetic.

I awlays use MOBIL1 or Valvoline full synthetic. I never had any problems.

I don't know why this should be such a technical discussion. In the track suspension you are only lubricating the pressure points between aluminum shafts & steel tubes & displacing moisture to prevent rusting/seizing. In the front suspension, there are plain bushings of a plastic or non-ferrous material.

I don't think there any any 'doo suspensions that use roller bearings. The other OEMs I can't say.

the jack shaft & the drive shaft on polaris have roller bearings.I ve used cheap grease before but plan on getting the amsoil grease.Have other amsoil products so why not?

Originally posted by xcbullet@Jul 31 2004, 09:34 PM
the jack shaft & the drive shaft on polaris have roller bearings.I ve used cheap grease before but plan on getting the amsoil grease.Have other amsoil products so why not?
Yes, I forgot the LH drive axle bearing on the 'doos is a ball bearing.

Originally posted by revrnd@Jul 31 2004, 10:32 PM
Yes, I forgot the LH drive axle bearing on the 'doos is a ball bearing.
in your defense, you said "suspension.

I just use the Canadian Tire low temp grease. Have used it for about 6 years and never had a problem. I think just making sure to reguarly grease your sled is the main part of this.

Thanks for your thoughts, and advice. I am quite impressed with the Amsoil products, and I just might switch to the Amsoil grease too.
I was a little suprised about Lithium grease being able to absorb water. I guess I never noticed any probs because I grease frequently.
Now that I will switch to synthetic, any ideas of getting as much of the old grease out before I start introducing the synthetic?
Thanks for the advice, this is a great site. SWRules

Originally posted by paul yarek@Aug 1 2004, 07:40 AM
in your defense, you said "suspension.
Thanks Paul! :D Just grease your sled a little more often & eventually the old grease will be displaced. If you try to force it out in 1 application you'll have quite a mess under the sled.

I was just looking on the Amsoil web site, and I was curious....for those who use Amsoil grease, which one do you use? I noticed there are a couple to choose from (i.e. racing, Synthetic, Heavy Duty Synthetic...). Thanks again.

I use the Canadian Tire house brand, Motomaster, synthetic grease. It is readily available and reasonably priced. I think the biggest advantage to a synthetic grease is that it is more hyrdophobic than conventional grease, which should make it better for driving and keeping water out of the bushings and bearings. I also like the red colour which makes it easy to see when the fresh grease gets to the ends of the bushings.