Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: Scissor-type Stabilizer Lube?

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Scissor-type Stabilizer Lube?

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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11660
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Topic: Scissor-type Stabilizer Lube?

Posted By: 4Papa
Subject: Scissor-type Stabilizer Lube?
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2018 at 1:56pm

Beginning my second season in a 180 and am getting minor binding when extending/retracting the stabilizers (with no load). Any thoughts on what type of lube to use? A heavy grease wouldn't seem to make much sense as it would attract dirt and ultimately make things worse. What about a dry graphite lubricant/spray such as Slip? Or a silicone spray lube? Light oil?

I'm also looking to replace the outside shower door lock with a simple latch without a lock. Any thoughts on where I could get a simple screw-on replacement? Thanks in advance!

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2017 180
2010 GMC 1500 Hybrid

Replies:

Posted By: pnwcamper
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2018 at 4:41pm

I use Schaeffer's Roller Chain, which is a spray lube. I think even WD-40 would be fine as well. Once a year does it for me.

I'm not saying either one of these is the best but has done the job for me.

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2014 R-Pod 177
2009 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab 4.0 V6

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2018 at 4:53pm

4papa I agree a heavy grease not answer, I use a paintbrush and light greasing on the stab screws. Works fine and I do it enough to keep things moving smoothly. As far as shower door - look at marine applications for securing hardware no lock. Boats have been doing this for years.

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: 4Papa
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 10:43am

Thanks for the responses. I think maybe I'll do a little test for myself... use WD-40 on two of the stabilizers and Slick dry graphite on the other two (both of which I have on hand) and see who wins by the season's end.

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2017 180
2010 GMC 1500 Hybrid

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 3:04pm

I think you will be disappointed with WD40. Not made for that. A cleaning and light grease coating works for me.

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 6:07pm

+1. I put a little dab of salt-water resistant grease on the screw, and ran it up and down a few times to spread it out. May have also put a few drops of tri-flow on the screw (but I don't really recall). It does collect a bit of dust, but it's not excessive, and the light coating is easy to wipe off and re-apply.

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 6:13pm

I put some Zep "teflon" penetrating oil on our rear stabilizers to clean them off. It worked fine. They're still easy to turn up and down, a month later, though probably some light oil or something may help. The problem is that anything sticky is going to attract dust that will gunk up the threads. In my more peevish moments, of which there are an ever increasing number, I even considered Crisco, but decided against it since I'd have no other use for it.

We had to put the stabilizers down right where there was an ant hole. It made them pretty anxious. I was concerned that they'd crawl up the jack and get revenge, also maybe lunch. So after reading all the industrial warnings on the Zep, decided that it wouldn't hurt the jacks to coat them in Zep. The warnings were sobering. The ants, they didn't climb aboard.

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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost