Lubricants for Nexus hub gear service

[danfoto]

I'm just about recovered enough to start getting my act together to service my Nexus 5-speed hub, so ... do I really need to use genuine Shimano oil and grease? If not, what should I be using instead?

No bike shops hereabouts and postal delivery is crap, so preferably something I can get from Amazon!

 

[Raboa]

Different types of grease can be used for internal gearing systems, including:

• Shimano internal gear hub grease: Designed to prevent rust and corrosion, and keep gear changes smooth.
  
  
• Sturmey Archer internal grease: Used for Sturney hub gears to keep them running smoothly.
  
  
• Waterproof marine grease: Used for bearing assemblies to keep water out and oil in.
  
  
• Lightweight white lithium grease: Used for gears, especially in wide-mouth hubs.
  
  
• Phil Wood Tenacious Oil: Used on the pawls and in the shell.
  

Other types of lubricants that can be used for gears include:

• Compounded gear oils: Used for enclosed worm gear drives to reduce heat and improve efficiency.
  
  
• Synthetic gear oils: Used in spur, straight bevel, spiral bevel, helical, herringbone, and hypoid worm enclosed gear drive applications.
  
  
• Mineral oils: Used in AC gear motors to reduce friction.
  
  
• Hydraulic oils: Used in AC motors to help dissipate heat.

Shimano might just be using Lightweight white lithium grease. A lot of their greases, oils are made by other companies and rebadged.

This might be the same thing

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorex-Bike-Grease-White-850/dp/B004XVPGLU?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A1L8PCOB60IZM9&gQT=1

I had a quick look on eBay, I have never used this seller before

High Quality Bike Hub Grease Lubricant For-Shimano Nexus Practical | eBay

1 x Bike Hub Grease. Made of high quality material, and practical to use. Strong oil film forming ability, excellent adhesion. Material: Mineral oil + composite aluminum. Do not apply to brake discs, brake pads, brake rims, brake pads; this will cause the brakes to fail.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[danfoto]

Thanks, but as I said I really need something that's available from Amazon.

 

[Raboa]

This might be the same thing

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorex-Bike-Grease-White-850/dp/B004XVPGLU?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A1L8PCOB60IZM9&gQT=1

 

[danfoto]

Thanks, but the kosher Shimano stuffs half the price!

 

[Raboa]

It's a big container so cheaper per 100g

Smaller container plus other options, Shimano stuff might or might not have something special in it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorex-Bike-Grease-White/dp/B0010AOTX8/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=3LU5JNWC24C4K&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.5oHyK9ho5e4LVCLWwXnqmgd-Bhv95XjvEAmRPkAWlT0PvXbJ_0c2EFp7itLnt0b22yoSzcS8N6QnkHSJooOAHxctvzy-y4aYAmNgizYb9Ek0RnCQh71mOCAOJGtl3ytxl5OHU0iN2PFXKaqaTuliiBEWS6VyE2kncjJ24vj7o0RGaoA0IxW5LsLwbgCqqgwFvSxLYnwkCCL60Qp-SjE3WA.fPqnzZ4bxq2vL7SNr7zAYuPM7-UndRH98sq41TcMpBQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=motorex+white+lithium+grease&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1736370519&sprefix=motorex+white+lithium+grease+%2Caps%2C915&sr=8-2

Amazon.co.uk : white lithium grease

Lightweight white lithium grease - Google Search

 

[Raboa]

Shimano Nexus Int Hub Grease is an NLGI 2 or higher grease. Greases with an NLGI of 2 or higher are thick enough to stick to surfaces and reduce friction, but not so thick that they drip off. They are ideal for assembling components because they minimize friction during installation and removal.

 

[matthewslack]

There are some compatibility issues between plastics and greases to be aware of. I unhelpfully can't remember what they are!

 

[Nealh]

Typically one can't apply the white grease to a IGH without dismantling the drive components completely to apply the grease correctly where it is needed , then rebuilding the drive.

Oil wise IGH's requiring oil isn't an issue.

White grease within IGH can get a bit hard so one can give the internals an oil bath in ATF to softn up said grease and to wash out any impurities , then allow the internals to drip dry for 24hrs. The ATF isn't suitable for a general oil fill as it is too thick and may lead to sticky gear changes.

Foe example the Alfine 8 is grease only (dry )drive whilst the 11 is a oil lubed (wet ) drive.
My Alfine 8 I simply carried out an ATF bath and drip (dry) to soften any greases that may have hardened a little before refiting .

 

[Nealh]

NGL2 grease is pointless applying to IGH unless one is totally dismantling to get at all the hidden parts the grease can't reach otherwise. NGL2 is vey thick harder grease.

For my Alfine 8 I also applied a layer of Landy swivel grease to the surface ( as I didn't dismantle to component parts) LSG is NGL00 so a thinner grease, so a good chance it may reach all moving parts.

 

[danfoto]

Thanks chaps. I'm sorted now re lubricants but stuck for a suitable cleaner so I've started a new thread ...

 

[Nealh]

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