Roll Out Awning - Lubricate?

[jo10000_6]

Hi
On my 1993 Hymer B544 there's an roll out awning and on its first roll out for me it creaked and made some real noise as it unwound - scared me a bit - thought this things not going to go back in !

However, in it went and the next time it came out was when it was being cleaned and to be fair it didn't make half the noise it did the first time

Now I know potentially it hadn't been out for a while hence all the creaking noises it made on its first entrance but it did have me wondering on whether I should lubricate it.

There have been similar question asked on the forum with various answers but Id been keen to know what people are generally doing with their awnings.

Thanks
Jo

 

[Reallyretired]

Can't help as I have never lubricated one, or felt the need. I will be interested if anyone has though.

 

[treetops1]

Take the end caps off and squirt a bit of WD on the bearings at one end and the winding gears at the other.lol.

 

[TerryL]

Wouldn't use WD40, it's not really a permanent lubricant just a freeing agent. Graphite grease would be better, just a smear mind. There'll be other preferences I guess.

 

[Phantomphixer]

You could also use a spot of spray grease, you can buy at the likes of Halfords etc. Often used on motorcycle chains. First clean out any old traces of grease if there are any.
Some people think grease is grease, trouble is in this day and age there are synthetic and mineral greases and often one doesn't like the other. So the morel of any greasing story is if you do know what the existing grease is, clean it out before applying new.

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[jo10000_6]

Thanks for this. Like I thought, there was more than one preference.

I had heard not to use WD40.

Ta
Jo

 

[PhilandMena]

I'm in the process of getting my gearbox changed (Knackered) as far as I can see these are sealed units so not possible to lubricate them.

 

[Hettie's Crew]

Ours needs doing when we get home, really squeaky, only four years old and I’m going to use PTFE spray as I think oily WD40/GT85 types may attract muck.

 

[tonyidle]

On mine it was the central guide roller. Silicone spray cured. I don't like anything 'oily' either.

 

[Popeye]

My workshop Manager banned the use of WD40 as too many people were using it as a lubricant and it is not albeit it appears to lubricate in the short term. Once it has done it's Water Displacement job it simply acts as sticky covering which allows all sorts of debris to glue to it, so yes it does attract Crap.

I switched to Silicone lubricants when I was sailing, brilliant stuff for running mainsheet tracks and similar.
On a gearbox (awning) I would use a light Grease maybe even a spray grease.

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[jo10000_6]

Thanks for the additional replies.



Jo