Lubricating cams

[rocketparrotlet]

A couple of my cams are a little squeaky and don't snap back with as much vigor as they could. What is the best way to lubricate them? I've seen conflicting opinions on the Internet.

 

-Mark

[Lodestone]

What is the best way to lubricate them? I've seen conflicting opinions on the Internet.

 

-Mark

 

 

If it's just a squeek, I wouldn't bother doing anything with them. I'm a fan of having no lubrication on cams. Certainly some are better than others, but even the lubricants recommended for cams trap dirt (with the exception of short lived graphite powder). If you decide to de-gunk your cams, try to keep the cutting agent off of the cam slings.

 

 

 

 

Chad

[selkirk]

If it's just a squeek I wouldn't worry about it. That said

I've had good luck with the following process for cleaning /

lubricating cams:

 

1. Take a small pot of boiling water with a touch of dish soap in it. Immerse just the cam head into it and retract / extend the cam a bunch of times, take it out and scrub it a bit with a tootbrush, and repeat until you're happy the action is good and it's clean.

2. Lubricate lightly with a Bicycle chain type lubricant (I think I used White Lightning?), though graphite powder would probably be great too.

 

I've heard that WD-40 or other similar lubricant can actually collect/attract extra dirt, and I don't think i'd want them on the slings. White Lightening is wax based I think?

 

YMMV

 

[rocketparrotlet]

Thanks for the advice. And as for the condition, I have one Mastercam that has a lobe that tends to get stuck retracted and a #2 Friend that riles up my bird from the other room. I'll try the water first, then graphite lubricant if that doesn't work.

[bstach]

Bicycle chain lube works great. Just make sure you get the stuff specifically designed to not get gummed up w dirt. You can imagine that is even a bigger issue for mtn bikers.

[spotly]

Mine got sticky a few years ago and I cleaned them all with the stuff mentioned here.

[t_rutl]

i bought metolius's cam cleaner and lube...been happy with it

[sklag]

pedros wax based bicycle lube... I also lube my lockers with it. very nice.

 

[rocketparrotlet]

I used hot water, then graphite lock lube. The Friend is less squeaky now, and the problem with the Mastercam has been solved.