What type of substance to use on turn signal nub to steering wheel contact ring?

[jogirob]

This replacement turn signal assembly came with a copper nub instead of a roller and the metal scuffing sound that comes from turning the steering wheel is finally getting to me.

What do you guys recommend that will last the longest? A thick heavy grease like moly-b, marine grease, wheel bearing grease? Or a light spray lube like lithium, silicone, WD-40? Working on this car I've built a plethora of lubricants!

 

[steve340]

I have used a light smear of wheel bearing grease a few times. Worked OK.

 

[gkent]

I can show you a worn ring from the little wheel. I hate to see what that nub is going to do to it !! As far as lube, the constant turning is just going to push it all aside and you'll be right back to metal on metal.

Also, any grease barrier is going to burn every time you use the horn and you'll smell it and may even see a small wisp of smoke - just a warning so you're not thinking your car's on fire when it happens !!

 

[Lionized]

Dielectric grease.

 

[gkent]

You should Google "dielectric grease" ... it is NOT conductive !!

 

[steve340]

On a Mopar the horn contact is an earth for the horn relay. It has to be a very special type grease to be conductive. You will not do any harm to the car.
A little lube on the slip ring it should last for many years. The contact point will "sweep" the grease out.
You will be fine with di-electric grease or wheel bearing grease.

 

[Lionized]

You should Google "dielectric grease" ... it is NOT conductive !!

No, it isn't. It's an insulator.
Why is this important in this instance?

 

[69L48Z27]

My go to would be dielectric grease as well. Just say’n.

 

[gkent]

No, it isn't. It's an insulator.
Why is this important in this instance?

Insulators are non conductive (that's why they're called insulators). If you put an insulator between two contacts then power can't conduct between them. Its as simple as that !

 

[dadsbee]

Noalox would be the best bet.. lubes and conducts electricity. Used in power panels on aluminum feed cables and lugs.

"Dielectric grease" is not conductive. White grease would be a better item if you have no access to some Noalox.

 

[Lionized]

Insulators are non conductive (that's why they're called insulators). If you put an insulator between two contacts then power can't conduct between them. Its as simple as that !

Every electrical connection I've restored on my car has dielectric grease on or in it... including my horn ring.
Works just fine for me.

 

[dadsbee]

Because the connections are tight and metal on metal. The dielectric grease is to keep the connections from corroding (and I use it in that application too) although it's actually not recommended to be put on pins and connectors, it's supposed to be put over them AFTER they are together (which is usually impossible). It's actually meant to seal out moisture on plug/wire boots and such, not make a better connection.

 

[hunt2elk]

Noalox would be the best bet.. lubes and conducts electricity. Used in power panels on aluminum feed cables and lugs.

"Dielectric grease" is not conductive. White grease would be a better item if you have no access to some Noalox.

https://www.amazon.com/30-030-Noalo...ywords=noalox&qid=1564052243&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Is this the stuff you guys are talking about? I have always used dielectric grease on everything electrical on my cars thinking it was the best.

 

[dadsbee]

https://www.amazon.com/30-030-Noalo...ywords=noalox&qid=1564052243&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Is this the stuff you guys are talking about? I have always used dielectric grease on everything electrical on my cars thinking it was the best.

Yes, it's used on power panel lugs as an anti-seize / conduction helper. I only suggested it for his "rub block" vs roller horn ground contact. Figure it will not only work as an anti-gouge, it will keep the conductivity clean. As for general connections on male to female pins, as I noted in post #12 I use dielectric grease myself on those and never had an issue as you should be getting a clean metal to metal contact on good connectors anyhow. The grease just keeps the corrosion at bay.

 

[jogirob]

I can show you a worn ring from the little wheel. I hate to see what that nub is going to do to it !! As far as lube, the constant turning is just going to push it all aside and you'll be right back to metal on metal.

Also, any grease barrier is going to burn every time you use the horn and you'll smell it and may even see a small wisp of smoke - just a warning so you're not thinking your car's on fire when it happens !!

Good to know!

I agree that i'll be back to the same problem eventually as the grease/lube is scraped to the side. I still have the old turn signal assembly I'll see how difficult it is to swap out the roller contact.

 

[AR67GTX]

Dielectric grease will probably work fine but No Ox is an electrical conductive grease sometimes called lightbulb socket grease and it's probably an even better choice. The No Ox (no oxidation) I have is a moderately stiff, brown grease like substance. I use it on all electrical connections, bulbs, etc.