Power steering with Vaseline?

stan33 · Aug 31, 2015

Hi,
I'm rebuilding my power steering cylinders (MF 135 cylinders on an MF 240) and a mechanic told me that I should apply Vaseline to the internals.
Is this advisable or is it just a rural myth grown credible through the re-telling. Also can I use lithium grease instead?
Thanks

Ed of all trades · Aug 31, 2015

I was a Bobcat mechanic for a while and we used vaseline on the o rings. worked well and does not eat the o rings. Try it it works. Lithium grease might work but it might eat the o rings and will cost more so why? Ed

paulharvey · Aug 31, 2015

Ed of all trades said:
I was a Bobcat mechanic for a while and we used vaseline on the o rings. worked well and does not eat the o rings. Try it it works. Lithium grease might work but it might eat the o rings and will cost more so why? Ed

Because he really doesn't want to check out with an industrial size tub of Vaseline

stan33 · Aug 31, 2015

paulharvey said:
Because he really doesn't want to check out with an industrial size tub of Vaseline

When you live in a small town with one drug store and you go in and the only thing you ask for is Vaseline, I guarantee you will do as I did and tell the sales girl "it's for my tractor".
And guess what, they had run out of it.

CalG · Aug 31, 2015

The beauty of using petroleum jelly for the assembly of hydraulic systems is that it is 100% petroleum and compatible with all common petroleum based fluids used in transmission, gear boxes or hydraulic systems. Because it is 100% petroleum, Vaseline dissolves away completely, unlike greases that leave their soap stocks or lithium bases undissolved and available to "gum up the works".