[TowerTalk] Lubrication

[Michael Tope]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Erik Jakobsen" <eja at urbakken.dk>

> Hi.
>
> I have a beam, where the boom to mast has some "U" bolts, that are
> stainless, and are going thru the aluminum.
>
> What's the best to lubricate these stainless "U" bolts with, so that
> there will be no corosion on the aluminum. I have some coppergrease, but
> don't think its good to use.
>
> Any solutions are most welcome.
> --
> Med venlig hilsen - Best regards.
> Erik Jakobsen - eja at urbakken.dk.


Hi Erik,

I don't think you have anything to worry about with stainless
steel against aluminum. In my experience there isn't a lot
of galvanic action with that combination of metals. You should
be concerned however with galling (seizing) if you are using
stainless nuts on those stainless u-bolts. Stainless nuts will
fuse with stainless bolts at the high pressures that result when
you tighten the nuts. I learned this the hard way. Once this
happens, you won't be able to get the nuts off the u-bolt
without a hacksaw. Molybdenum Disulfide grease is an
excellent anti-seize agent. Every since I had the
boom-to-mast U-bolts on a 2 element 40 seize on me
during an install, I have been using Moly-Disulfide with
good success.

73 de Mike, W4EF.................................