Are washers, graphite pads... worth it?
- Thread starter John-newbie11
- Start date
Glad to read this, I've only ran graphite in the past and wondered what was best once I make the jump to oil.
If you search the forum there are several threads regarding what people use to reduce friction where the hub rubs the body.
Rod builders epoxy, let dry a week then buff and wax. Like a ice rink
I have no firsthand knowledge, but when I joined this forum I searched on the topic and people seemed (at whatever time that thread was written) to prefer UHMW Polyethylene Tape (749XX) to teflon tape.
I use teflon film (or UHMW film) between the wheel and body. Both are clear with an adhesive backing, very much like a sticker (neither is appreciable better than the other). Its far easier than the glue/graphite mixture and you get nearly the same performance as using a washer (if polished); however, I really do not see it like a washer anymore than super glue. If the rules were to prevent such a modification (such as box stock), they would need to explicitly say the wheel much touch the pinewood body. Its cheap, clean, and easy to apply, for both kids, parents, and pro racers alike.
Know that the teflon film I am talking is not found in home depot in the plumbing section.
FWIW: here is the definition of "washer" I have found at different sites. Most safe to distribute pressure and/or to seal using a ring made out of some material, none of which you are doing with teflon film.
1. a small flat ring made of metal, rubber, or plastic fixed under a nut or the head of a bolt to spread the pressure when tightened or between two joining surfaces as a spacer or seal.
2. a flat thin ring or a perforated plate used in joints or assemblies to ensure tightness, prevent leakage, or relieve friction
3. a flat ring or perforated piece of leather, rubber, metal, etc., used to give tightness to a joint, to prevent leakage, to distribute pressure, etc., as under the head of a nut or bolt
4. a small flat metal, rubber, or plastic ring fixed between two joining surfaces or between a nut and a bolt to spread the pressure or act as a spacer or seal
5. a flat disk, as of metal, plastic, rubber, or leather, placed beneath a nut or bolt to make the connection more secure or distribute pressure or placed between parts to space the parts properly or prevent leakage in a joint
Know that the teflon film I am talking is not found in home depot in the plumbing section.
FWIW: here is the definition of "washer" I have found at different sites. Most safe to distribute pressure and/or to seal using a ring made out of some material, none of which you are doing with teflon film.
1. a small flat ring made of metal, rubber, or plastic fixed under a nut or the head of a bolt to spread the pressure when tightened or between two joining surfaces as a spacer or seal.
2. a flat thin ring or a perforated plate used in joints or assemblies to ensure tightness, prevent leakage, or relieve friction
3. a flat ring or perforated piece of leather, rubber, metal, etc., used to give tightness to a joint, to prevent leakage, to distribute pressure, etc., as under the head of a nut or bolt
4. a small flat metal, rubber, or plastic ring fixed between two joining surfaces or between a nut and a bolt to spread the pressure or act as a spacer or seal
5. a flat disk, as of metal, plastic, rubber, or leather, placed beneath a nut or bolt to make the connection more secure or distribute pressure or placed between parts to space the parts properly or prevent leakage in a joint
If I were to run air shields would I still put some of this film between, where the tire would rub. We are currently working on a car for mid am. I was Going to order delrin washers but this may help keep width a little tighter.
Our rules state: 'Wheel/axle bearings, bushings, inserts, and washers are prohibited." My fear is that the inspector will rule the use of tape to reduce friction to be in the same spirit as the washers. The problem then comes that when I remove the tape I have a change to having sticky residue left on the car where the wheel hub touches the body. We won district last year so there might be increased scrutiny. Also one of the reason we are not using full wheel shields since they also function as washers. I do agree that the tape should be easier to use than the glue. If we were to use it, to which grit do you polish the Teflon film tape? And is it hard enough not to be chewed up by the wheel hub?
If running in MA, use washers, not the film; but if anyone uses the film, I lightly polish it with the finest side of a nail file block. As far as a wheel rubbing through it, I have not seen it happen yet.
If it had to be removed prior to a race, you're in trouble. It certainly will leave a residue that would be hard to clean up without being home and having a bit of time.
If it had to be removed prior to a race, you're in trouble. It certainly will leave a residue that would be hard to clean up without being home and having a bit of time.
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