Ball Screw Lubrication and Handling Tips
Prior to receiving your new or repaired ball screw:
- The unit was flushed and cleaned with a light lubricant to remove any debris
- The nut was lubricated with Mobil Vactra Oil No. 4
- The entire unit was coated in a light spindle oil to prevent rust
- It was placed in a rust inhibiting plastic bag
Storage and handling tips for your new ball screw:
- Be sure to store your ball screw in a completely vertical position or horizontally on v-blocks to prevent bending
- Rotate the nut on the screw periodically to prevent the balls from developing flat spots
- Store in a temperature stable environment free of vibration
- If stored for longer than 6 months before installation, clean ball screw with light lubricant to remove any gummy residue
Ball screw lubrication tips:
- Lack of lubrication will reduce the life and performance
- The best lubrication is light oil applied directly into the ball nut at various locations along the length of the screw
- We recommend light spindle oil or light way lube
- The screw should always have a thin film of oil present, the screw should never be dry to the touch
- We recommend lubricating with oil instead of grease, as grease retains contaminants, and can lead to premature wear
- If lubricating ball screw with grease it is recommended that a way cover or bellow is installed to protect from debris
- Also if lubricating with grease, it is not recommended to completely fill the ball nut cavity and should not exceed more than 65% full, as this can exert pressure on the wipers and ball returns.
- Lubrication intervals are dependent on application and environment; recommendations can be made, but should be monitored after installation of the ball screw assembly
- Spray lubricants and paraffin based coolants are not recommended as they can increase build-up, increase possibility of rust, and retain contaminants
