4 Best Grease Lubricants for RC Crawlers (2023)

Lubrication is a very important part of the maintenance process for mechanical systems. Its main purpose is to reduce the amount of resistance that occurs between two or more moving components. Lower resistance helps to prevent wear of these components by slowing down that process.

You should know that your RC car need to be greased if you want to keep it in great condition. This is a guide on how to pick the best grease for your RC crawler as well as how to use it, and all the necessary information relating to greasing RC crawlers.

What is the best grease for a crawler?

When you want to get grease for your RC crawler, there are a couple of factors that you have to consider to ensure you get the right lubricant for your vehicle. 

1. Viscosity: A lubricant that is too “watery” might be quite messy when you’re applying it. It will also likely drip while you’re driving your RC crawler. On the other hand, getting grease that is too viscous might be difficult to apply because of its thickness. It is recommended that you assess the viscosity of the grease before you buy it. Ensure you get one that is balanced, meaning it won’t be runny and it won’t be thick.

2. Ease of Application: The ease with which you would be able to apply the grease should be one of the top priorities you consider when choosing grease for your RC crawler. You should try to get a tube of grease with a head attached to make the application much easier.

3. Temperature stability: You should also get a lubricant that works in all levels of temperature. If you don’t get one, then the grease could get too runny in hot weather or hard when it’s cold. 

4. Performance under pressure: The most durable lubricants are those that have graphite or molybdenum disulfide in their formula because they bond better with the metal components of your vehicle. 

5. Water resistance: Although your RC crawler might not get soaked in water, it could still have to tread through a puddle or some mud, so your lubricant better be water-resistant so it can keep working even when your crawler comes in contact with liquid. 

Learn more – Can You Use Any Grease On RC’s?

What are the three best grease lubricants for RC rock crawlers?

Choosing a grease lubricant that will work efficiently on your RC crawler can be a pretty daunting task. Different cars have different needs, but there are some grease lubricants that will provide your crawler with just what it needs to ride smoothly.

1. Maxima 80916 Waterproof Grease

This is an amazing lubricant for your RC crawler. Not only does it have a special waterproof layer that works actively against corrosion, but it is also highly resistant to temperature, working from low temperatures around -20 F to about 560 F. It also works to prevent thinning in your mechanical components. When you use the Maxima 80916 Waterproof Grease, you should expect it to work for a long time without getting easily washed out, and there are extra pressure additives just to provide some added protection in shock-loading conditions.
The main flaws with this product are that it does not come with a special tool for applying it, so the application process could get a bit messy. 

2. Valvoline Moly-Fortified Gray Full Synthetic Grease

This lovely lubricant from Valvoline is great at keeping all the moving parts in your RC crawler smooth and preventing any form of rust to allow for easy movement. It also works to significantly reduce friction and improve performance in the crawler.
Also, expect this grease to work at full efficiency even during the winter because it does not freeze. It is fortified with molybdenum so it will handle some pretty heavy loads. It is also very easy to apply and use, so you won’t make a mess while applying your grease. However, this grease does not keep very well, and it will get separated if you store it for too long after opening it. 

3. Liberty Oil

This lubricant is efficient at adhering to the steel parts of your vehicle, and it also works to reduce resistance in your crawler by acting as a ball bearing. It is quite mild, so you can even use it on plastic parts of your RC crawler. It is very easy to apply because it comes with a 1.5 inch 18 gauge applicator that makes the application process super easy. This grease also comes in a squeeze which allows you to spread it very quickly and easily. It is a great lubricant for beginners and simple hobby uses but it is not recommended for use on RC vehicles to be used in competitions.

How do you grease an RC crawler?

To grease the moving mechanical parts of your RC crawler, you need to have a suitable grease lubricant, an application tool, and follow these simple steps.

1. First, place a little amount of grease on your application tool.

2. Then, use this tool to apply the grease to the necessary areas that you want to lubricate on your RC crawler. You can get a cotton-tipped stick if you’re having trouble reaching some areas with your grease, and then use this stick to apply it to the vehicle.

3. Clean off any excess grease because it will not help to lubricate any part of the crawler, but will only work to attract dirt to your crawler.

4. After each time you drive your RC crawler, ensure you clean it (especially the parts that you lubricated).

What grease should I use for RC cars?

There are different types of grease lubricants available for RC cars, and your choice should primarily depend on what you want to use the vehicle for.

If your RC car comes with grease, which is usually white lithium or silicone grease, then you can use this to provide your car with the needed lubrication. If you will be riding in wet weather, then you might want to get some waterproof grease like an aluminum-complex lubricant. 

Why do RC crawlers need grease?

Proper lubrication is needed for any automobile or machine to function properly, and RC crawlers are not left off that list of machines that need proper lubrication.

There are several different areas where friction can happen between two or more components in your RC car and grease helps to counteract the resistance that could occur as a result of that friction. Using quality grease on your RC crawler will significantly boost its performance and increase its life span. 

What are the most important parts to grease an RC crawler?

One of the first key areas that you should consider is the area containing the spur gear and pinion gear. Most pinion gears contain metal, and spur gears are made up primarily of nylon. Although, some spur gears are also made of metal to help them handle higher amounts of power. 

Another area you should check is the gear area which is a part of the differential assembly. You should also check out the bearings remaining within the rear hub and the steering block.

Several parts within the suspension component move and could generate friction. Several ball joints rotate in the steering linkage, and they work to move another component. 

Should you use different grease types for different parts of your crawler?

Likely, different components of your RC crawler work better with different types of grease, but you should be careful in their application to ensure that these different lubricants do not mix.

Before you apply another kind of grease to a previously lubricated part of your crawler, you should first de-grease it by cleaning the grease off. 

What types of grease are there for rock crawlers?

There are several types of grease lubricants available for rock crawlers, and although they all offer the same primary purpose of preventing wear through friction as well as rusting, they each have their added benefits.

• There are aluminum-complex waterproof grease lubricants that are perfect for use in wet conditions.
• Synthetic hydrocarbons are also available, and they have been widely used for lubricating gearboxes for many years. They work efficiently at a wide range of temperatures while also offering great oxidative stability. They work pretty well with plastic and they are inexpensive when compared with other lubricants.
• Another kind of grease is the Diff lube which has silicone in it. This allows it to grip the diff balls and rings very easily and tightly.
• Black grease is another type that is primarily used for lubricating gear diffs and thrust bearings.
• Another type is the White Lithium Grease. It works quite efficiently, and it is not as expensive as other grease types. It should not be used for plastic, and just a small amount will work well on your RC vehicle.

Conclusion

There are many different types and brands of grease lubricants that you can use for your RC crawler. You just need to be methodical and select the best one for your vehicle, considering all the important factors. Have a fun time with your smoothly-greased RC crawler.