Grease for exercise equipment?

So, my wife has this gazelle thing that she exercises on. It's like a swing for each leg. Unfortunately, it's developed a hideous squeak that's so loud and piercing that the thing is unusable.

What sort of grease should I use to lubricate it? We bought if off craigslist, so I don't have a manual. I tried a graphite-based lubricant, and that didn't work.

Is the company still in business? They might know.

just some plain old white lithium grease? i put that E36 M3 on everything.

failboat wrote: just some plain old white lithium grease? i put that E36 M3 on everything.

this

Silicone spray lube, I don't like lithium grease as it is too sticky and gooey.

Pull it apart and coat everything with axle grease--it's nice and sticky and gooey!

If they don't answer my email by the end of the day, I'll pick up some lithium grease on my way home.

I use dry graphite lubricant on my universal machine, which is what the maker recommended. Does a good job and doesn't make a mess.

yea i thought about that making a mess part. I dont care if my lawnmower makes a mess. I might care if some exercise equipment dropped some grease on the carpet.

I'd still grease it up, cycle the machine a few times then wipe off some excess grease. and just keep an eye on it for a few days.

I've used Bar soap with decent success on such aplications. Like rub a bar of soap on it. If it works it's way out and gets on the carpet who cares.

Bacon grease, duh.

petegossett wrote: Bacon grease, duh.

A great idea as long as you don't have a dog. A dog would lap at that thing until any last smell of it was gone, with the result being that the bearing surface would be entirely washed out with dog saliva.

Lithium grease is best for metal-to-rubber squeaks. If it's metal-to-metal use axle grease.

In the house I have used both vegetable oil and vaseline. No stink, no mess.

Zomby Woof wrote: In the house I have used both vegetable oil and vaseline. No stink, no mess.

TMI....

GameboyRMH wrote: Lithium grease is best for metal-to-rubber squeaks. If it's metal-to-metal use axle grease.

Thanks for the heads up!

1988RedT2 wrote:

petegossett wrote: Bacon grease, duh.

A great idea as long as you don't have a dog. A dog would lap at that thing until any last smell of it was gone, with the result being that the bearing surface would be entirely washed out with dog saliva.

I was thinking something more ironic. Like the need for exercise equipment after cooking and eating the bacon to get the bacon grease to lube the exercise equipment. Or something like that.

But you're right about the dog thing too.

Well, I put lithium grease in there, as the manufacturer recommended. I put it in there until it was squirting out the cracks. Still squeaking.

scardeal wrote: Well, I put lithium grease in there, as the manufacturer recommended. I put it in there until it was squirting out the cracks. Still squeaking.

Have you checked for a mouse?

1988RedT2 wrote: Have you checked for a mouse?

I didn't hear any clicking, and no USB port.

We had a nasty squeak coming from our elliptical machine. It turned out the rear bearings had worn and were grinding themselves to pieces. I disassembled it and measured the bearings, turned out McMaster had the right replacements. Had them the next day and installed them that weekend. I got oil impregnated bearings. No more squeak!

It might not be the case with your equipment, but it would be worth finding the source of the squeak in case something is worn. Replacing the bearings before they result in a damaged non-replaceable part would be good.

joymelson said:

In reply to scardeal :

I will suggest you use lithium grease. It's the best for any metal equipments,[…] inclusive. I always use it for all the used gym equipment I buy before using them at all. It makes them last longer and enjoyable.

yeah, I hear it's good to improve your canoe glide too.

Wow.  What a fun old thread!  I wonder if the exercise equipment in question is still in use.  Still squeaking?