Bearing grease recommendation for CMA group

#1: Post by **Thunderboy** » January 17th, 2023, 11:34 pm

Hi all,
I'm serving my QM Achille lever group. I'd took it apart to check for wear. The bearings seems a bit dry. I'd like to add some grease to it.
Any suggestions on what grease I should use for the needle bearing at the pivot inside the top of the group? And also should i lube the 2 side bearings too.
Lastly should I wipe out the old grease before adding new once.
I hope you know what I meant. Excuse for my bad English.
Thank you in advance!

#2: Post by **mrgnomer** » January 19th, 2023, 4:05 pm

For the gaskets and cylinder Dow111 is a recommended grease lubricant. It is food safe, has a high temperature tolerance range and does not easily wash off.

For mechanical joints and such I couldn't say for sure but I use a highly refined machine oil, the kind you use for a sewing machine that doesn't attract dust, to protect moving parts not in contact with extraction water. For bearings and extraction water contact parts, Dow111.

Yes, I would wipe away the old grease before regreasing to make sure the parts are cleaned from contaminants.

#3: Post by **JohnB.** » January 19th, 2023, 8:16 pm

For the bearings either https://www.henkel-adhesives.com/us/en/ ... _8034.html or
Haynes Lubri Film Plus would be a good choice. Dow 111 is a silicone based grease made to lube rubber parts and isn't suitable for metal to metal contact.

#4: Post by **mrgnomer** » January 19th, 2023, 8:56 pm

Dow111 technically is not used on metal but that's because it was developed for food industry seal lubrication. I've seen it recommended and use it as a dielectric grease but it's not recommended for bearings, that is true.

#5: Post by **espressotime** » January 20th, 2023, 4:07 am

I use dow 111 for everything in my espressomachines Also for the needlebearing.You can apply a little every once in a while without doing anything to the group.
The side bearing depends.Is it a sealed or open bearing?
I would change them for sealed ones if the ones on your machine are of the open type.

#6: Post by **JohnB.** » January 20th, 2023, 7:23 am

If you are using silicone grease on bearings I suggest you do some research as no mfgr is going to recommend it for metal to metal contact.

#7: Post by **pizzaman383** » January 20th, 2023, 8:18 am

Are these open bearings or sealed bearings?

#8: Post by **espressotime** » January 20th, 2023, 9:17 am

I've used Dow111 on the needle bearing of my Pompei for 10 years.When I took the group apart after 10 years of use that bearing and pivot surface still were as good as new! Used it on my Creminas and Pavoni as well.
We are talking a machine that is used for making beverages.If you want to use regular bearing or cupper grease go ahead.Not on my machines though.
Those bearings aren' t big end bearings on a Harley.
I use it in the pistonrod as well.

#9: Post by **JohnB.** » January 20th, 2023, 11:38 am

espressotime wrote:I've used Dow111 on the needle bearing of my Pompei for 10 years.When I took the group apart after 10 years of use that bearing and pivot surface still were as good as new! Used it on my Creminas and Pavoni as well.
We are talking a machine that is used for making beverages.If you want to use regular bearing or cupper grease go ahead.Not on my machines though.
Those bearings aren' t big end bearings on a Harley.
I use it in the pistonrod as well.

You can use creamy peanut butter on your bearings for all I care. Both of the greases I recommended are rated food safe just like the Dow 111. The difference is they are made for metal to metal contact not lubing rubber seals like the Dow 111.

January 20th, 2023, 11:46 am

Ok.Thank you.