"Ball - Control Tube Instrument Panel Guide" Lubrication

[8424]

That's the official name for the ball in the instrument panel that the control yoke tube goes thru.

What type lube is best for the wooden ball and socket? Mine had a caked on black paste that seems to have some graphite in it. It was definitely not doing any lubricating!

This probably has been discussed, but I couldn't figure out how to define it for a search that resulted with posts.

Thanks.

Steve A H

[2066]

I use LPS#2... sparingly. That's worked well for me.

[7392]

I use a silicone spray. Apply to my finger tips and spread it on the yoke tube. Really works well and doesn't create a build-up
of gunk on the tube. Use it on the primer plunger also. It won't attack the o-rings.

Larry Surratt
C-140 1946
89011
26R

[6643]

It's phenolic. There used to be a Teflon replacement part. It was available from Wag-Aero. STC SA666NW. I can't find it any longer.

[8424]

Thanks for the replies.

I have a can of LPF-2, I'll give that a try. I'm sure silicone would work nicely too.

Thanks for the correction on the ball material, John. It looks just like a hard wood grain on the outside, but it can be seen that it is phenolic in the tube hole.

The 170 folks were buying Delrin® Acetal Resin balls from McMaster-Carr and having them bored, but I don't have a way to get one bored. Univair has the part for $185! Mine aren't sloppy, just were gunked up so they wouldn't move in the socket.

Here's the McMaster-Carr site. Part number is 9614K39.

https://www.mcmaster.com/standard%20plastic%20balls/

Steve A H

[2066]

FWIW, @ Ebay: Item # 264552689277. $ 0.99 each, 4 available (I'm not the seller).
Mac

Phenolic Control Column Guide.jpg (92.71 KiB) Viewed 5899 times

[8424]

Hi, Mac!

Thanks for the Ebay find. The seller says the I.D. is 1 inch. The ones in our planes have aprox. 3/4 inch I.D. Mine are .780...probably a little oversized due to 70 years of wear! The control wheel shaft is .750.

Steve A H

[2066]

IMG_1622.JPG (307.7 KiB) Viewed 5869 times

IMG_1615.JPG (364.16 KiB) Viewed 5869 times

His measurements may be approx guess(?)...in any event, they fit mine perfectly/same size as my old ones (were in 1946). FWIW -- I'm not selling anything . Mac

[6863]

Steve, you asked about a lubricant that works. I have found that the windshield cleaning spray Clear View works for me if I moisten a rag with it and rub it onto the yoke shaft. It takes several applications of this over a series of flights to get things limbered up nicely.

[4390]

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=671

I've made many of them, they work great.

BTW, I use silicon spray to lube the yoke shaft.