Sterntube Lubrication

[hebdena]

All Forumites,

I have a sterntube with a stuffing box and a plain bearing at the inboard and outboard end and a grease injection system via a remote screw in syringe system. By all accounts this is a rare arrangement and I'm not sure whether to use waterproof grease as normally recommended for sterntubes or use a high melting point lithium based grease used for wheel bearings etc such as Castrol LM.
The double stuffing box seems to ensure that no water enters the tube at all hence the query about the castrol LM.
The boat to which this applies is a Rival 31 of 1973 vintage.

Regards................Andrew

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[Rick]

It does sound a little unusual - I've seen similar arrangem,ents, but using oil in the tube, not grease.

Back in about 1998 PBO had an article that looked at all sorts of seals, which may be worth hunting out. I'll ask my marine engineer shipmate this afternoon and post what he suggests ......

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[ZuidWester]

I've got a similar arrangement. I was recommended to use salt water resistant grease (a very bright green). I forget the name though. I'm on the boat today and will let you know.

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