Roof preventative maintenance?

[jamesgarbett]

Is there anything worth doing in terms of lubricating any part of the roof mechanism or is that a no-no?
I've changed the salmon relays but that's about it.
Presumably silicone grease if anything?

[enuff_zed]

I would look through RobbiZ4's posts. He pretty much fixes roof issues in his sleep.
I'm sure he says nothing should be used to lubricate the roof?

[Smartbear]

Is there anything worth doing in terms of lubricating any part of the roof mechanism or is that a no-no?
I've changed the salmon relays but that's about it.
Presumably silicone grease if anything?

The roof mechanism uses phosphor bronze bushes which shouldn’t be lubricated.
Rob

[jamesgarbett]

OK thanks so no point spraying any silicone grease anywhere near the roof mechanism?

[Smartbear]

OK thanks so no point spraying any silicone grease anywhere near the roof mechanism?

No.
Rob

[enuff_zed]

OK thanks so no point spraying any silicone grease anywhere near the roof mechanism?

Nope.
Some people advocate Gummi Pfledge to keep the rubbers supple, but nowt else.

[jamesgarbett]

[Deepseaskateboard]

Check the battery compartment for water!

[RobbiZ4]

People advocate Gummi Pfledge to keep the rubbers supple, but nowt else.

Take this:

[step_change]

Guys, so to recap, no grease or lubrication needed on any of the pivot points in the roof mechanism? I was going to carefully spray a *tiny* bit (i.e. a couple of drops) of lithium based grease into these pivots. Lubricated for life already I am inferring from these posts.

I am also going to clean and use the gummy stuff on the seals - I just bought some of it.

[SV8Predator]

Guys, so to recap, no grease or lubrication needed on any of the pivot points in the roof mechanism?

Read the posts above!

[mcbutler]

You certainly can lubricate phosphor bronze bushes.
Phosphor bronze is generally chosen as a bearing material in high load applications where corrosion and or difficulty in lubrication are present.
There are many types and grades of 'self lubricating' bronze bushes, oil impregnated, carbon plug impregnated etc.
I would guess that the bearings in the roof are oil impregnated which means essentially that they are 'oiled' and this oil is released as the bearing is subject to rotation. Adding a drop of thin oil wont harm at all just avoid EP oils as they have additives that copper does not like and copper may be in the bearing....
On my 23i the roof was deathly slow so i half opened the roof to inspect the pivot points. Some of them had rust staining around the bearings and the staining had run into the bearing. So, i covered the interior and WD40 sprayed the joints. I left it for a couple of hours, dried it then treated it with an aerosol white lithium grease.
The difference in roof smoothness/speed was very noticeable..

[step_change]

Guys, so to recap, no grease or lubrication needed on any of the pivot points in the roof mechanism?

Read the posts above!

I did. Hence "to recap". I hear different things from other posts on other forums. Is this a friendly forum for folks to ask and clarify or what?

[step_change]

You certainly can lubricate phosphor bronze bushes.
Phosphor bronze is generally chosen as a bearing material in high load applications where corrosion and or difficulty in lubrication are present.
There are many types and grades of 'self lubricating' bronze bushes, oil impregnated, carbon plug impregnated etc.
I would guess that the bearings in the roof are oil impregnated which means essentially that they are 'oiled' and this oil is released as the bearing is subject to rotation. Adding a drop of thin oil wont harm at all just avoid EP oils as they have additives that copper does not like and copper may be in the bearing....
On my 23i the roof was deathly slow so i half opened the roof to inspect the pivot points. Some of them had rust staining around the bearings and the staining had run into the bearing. So, i covered the interior and WD40 sprayed the joints. I left it for a couple of hours, dried it then treated it with an aerosol white lithium grease.
The difference in roof smoothness/speed was very noticeable..

Thank you Mark for sharing your experiences.

[BeardyJon]

You certainly can lubricate phosphor bronze bushes.
Phosphor bronze is generally chosen as a bearing material in high load applications where corrosion and or difficulty in lubrication are present.
There are many types and grades of 'self lubricating' bronze bushes, oil impregnated, carbon plug impregnated etc.
I would guess that the bearings in the roof are oil impregnated which means essentially that they are 'oiled' and this oil is released as the bearing is subject to rotation. Adding a drop of thin oil wont harm at all just avoid EP oils as they have additives that copper does not like and copper may be in the bearing....
On my 23i the roof was deathly slow so i half opened the roof to inspect the pivot points. Some of them had rust staining around the bearings and the staining had run into the bearing. So, i covered the interior and WD40 sprayed the joints. I left it for a couple of hours, dried it then treated it with an aerosol white lithium grease.
The difference in roof smoothness/speed was very noticeable..

Thank you Mark for sharing your experiences.

I can back this up as I lubed up the joints (not the motor or mechanics) of the roof with white lithium grease as recommended by a few other forums I read. Have noticed an improvement in motion and speed of the roof opening and closing also.