Greases/Rubber Confusion

[My Nameis]

Does anyone have info about using commonly available greases like regular NLGI #2 chassis grease. It doesn’t harm rubber right, since it is used for ball joints with rubber boots? Or does it? Would a synthetic chassis grease be better for rubber?

I know silicone/dielectric grease is good for rubber and weatherstripping.

I think white lithium grease is most for metal to to metal lubrication but does it deteriorate rubber? I need a refresher on greases and how they react with rubber like suspension boots

Topic

[Delwyn Ching]

Google “Grease and Rubber” and you’ll get a wealth of information. Here’s an excerpt from Wikipedia on Silicone Grease:

“Silicone grease is commonly used for lubricating and preserving rubber parts, such as O-rings. Additionally, silicone grease does not swell or soften the rubber, which can be a problem with hydrocarbon based greases. It functions well as a corrosion-inhibitor and lubricant for purposes that require a thicker lubricant.”

[My Nameis]

Yes so that leads me to this question: if hydrocarbon based greases swell or soften rubber, why are these greases used in things like ball joints/tie rods that use rubber boots?

Would a synthetic grease be better?

[zero]

While I don’t know exactly what makes up rubber parts like tie rod boots or CV boots, theya re designed to be in contact with products used to lubricate them. So while a boot that is designed to come into contact with a petroleum based product will be OK with long term exposure, a different rubber product would degrade with exposure to oils.

[Author]

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