Brake Rod Clevis Lubrication

[Ed in Maine]

These items are a pain to take care of. I have the following questions:
1. After how many miles do you lubricate them?
2. Do you disassemble, clean and grease the pins or just squirt oil at them?
3. Is there a recommended lubricant?
4. Do you take the time to bush them up with some brass shim stock?
5. Any other ideas on how to keep them from wearing?


Thanks for your input, Ed

[Purdy Swoft]

I don't lubricate the brake rod clevises . I weld up the clevis holes and drill them to size . I install new standard size clevis pins . In some cases I have used oversize clevis pins when it seemed the best route .

[Synchro909]

The clevis pins will wear no matter what you do. They operate in the open, exposed to dirt and dust - a hostile environment. Any oil or grease will shorten their life by providing a means for the gunge to adhere to them and make the wear worse. If any lubrication is used, it should be a dry one, like graphite or a spray can of teflon for dry applications.
Sometimes it's best not to over think these things.

[JOHN CT]

I put a few drops of 600 weight on all of the clevises ones a year. A little oil never hurts

[Purdy Swoft]

Originally Posted by Synchro909

The clevis pins will wear no matter what you do. They operate in the open, exposed to dirt and dust - a hostile environment. Any oil or grease will shorten their life by providing a means for the gunge to adhere to them and make the wear worse. If any lubrication is used, it should be a dry one, like graphite or a spray can of teflon for dry applications.
Sometimes it's best not to over think these things.

Same thoughts here exactly !!!!!!!

[updraught]

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No oil, silicon or Teflon spray often. It is so slippery it doesn't stick to the metal for long.

[JOHN CT]

I was thinking about what you’re saying about road grime. You’re right about no oil on the clevis. Now I have another project cleaning them up and checking for wear.
I learn new things every day

[gweilbaker]

Rainmaker Ron used an oiled thin strip of felt looped around these to maintain lubrication. I think he posted a picture 'how to' awhile back.

[Ed in Maine]

Thank you, excellent comments to my post. Ed

[duke36]

try Door Ease

[Tom Wesenberg]

Someone who drives the A a lot should oil just one side, then compare the wear a year later.

[Brian T]

Originally Posted by gweilbaker

Rainmaker Ron used an oiled thin strip of felt looped around these to maintain lubrication. I think he posted a picture 'how to' awhile back.

Here are the Rainmakers clever lubricators for the brake clevises.

[100IH]

My lube for those pins is 600 lube (steam cylinder oil) - - It clings better.

[dbaldwi3]

I know this thread is a little old but what about permatex antisieze? I had several pins that were bound up and caused the rods to bend ?

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Probably a better question to ask in this is, -'How long do you expect the pin to last?'

For most people here, they will outlast their driving and the next owner's driving without any lube ever applied. So when the pin is lubed, how effective will you be at getting lube into the pressure point of the pin, ...and how long will that lube remain at those pressure points after applying the brakes 10-12 times?

[Purdy Swoft]

Clevis pins are fairly inexpensive and last a long time on a model A that isn't a daily driver . I would rather buy new pins than make an oily greasy mess on an exposed part . Oil attracts dirt and grit on exposed parts and would require more attention to keep the parts clean .