my right-hand hinge assembly squeaks. It is the rearmost painted pivot on the edge of the lid.


During the summer I cleaned and sprayed all the bodywork hinges and pivots I could find, using WD40 PTFE spray with the idea that since it is dry not oily, it would not hold dirt and grit.


This one has started squeaking so I tried a silicon lube spray. It immediately stopped, but a few days later, after rain, it has started again.


Any suggs?

 

In my experience, door and boot hinges require a lubricant with "body" to maintain lubrication between metal parts that may not fit together tightly. I use White Lithium Grease and it works very well and lasts a long time. I can attract dirt and grime over time, but that's the tradeoff for providing the necessary "body" and lubrication ability. Lithium grease is also safe for most plastics and rubbers, so it won't damage weatherstripping, nylon hinge bushings, harness gaiters, etc.

Here's what Popular Mechanics has to say (Item number 5 in the article):

WD-40 Oil Alternatives - The Case Against WD-40 - Popular Mechanics

Cheers,

Don

 

I agree with PigletJohn. Only last weekend after cleaning the car I started ot spray my door hinges with GT85 - which contains PTFE. Couldn't believe it when 2 starting squaking after the spray. So then I sprayed with lithium grease and hey presto - squeak has gone.

 

I have a 5-litre tub of lithium grease in the garage, but it is brown and sticky. I have ordered a spray can of white lithium grease to collect tomorrow.

 

Hi PigletJohn,

Most of the white lithium grease spray cans I've had have come with a red tube that fits into the nozzle to help direct the spray and avoid overspray. I highly recommend that you use that tube to minimize overspray, and immediately clean any overspray from surrounding surfaces only because after the carrier liquid evaporates the grease residue becomes much more difficult to clean off.

BTW, for the parts of door hinges that are easily accessed, I actually prefer the white lithium grease in a tub, applied with a small brush.

Cheers,

Don