Transmissions...

[Sawdust]

I posted this on another thread and didn't get any response. It was probably not a good time or place to post it so I am starting its own thread.

As a newbie, I have trashed a couple of transmissions. I have also noticed how some of them seem to operate more smoothly than others. They all seem to be packaged with that greasy "something" on them. Do y'all clean them before installation? Is there any way of actually lubricating them? They seem to be a pretty tightly assembled unit. I had thought of soaking in a penetrating type oil and twisting them to "loosen" them up but I'm afraid that I would dissolve any internal lubrication. I realize that stuff like WD40 is not a long term lubricant, as it evaporates and doesn't really leave any oil as a residue. So, what if anything can be done? Thanks in advance for you insights.

They are really kind of a mystery to me so "edumacate" me.

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[gawdelpus]

Just my thoughts on this, I never clean them out as the grease is needed for them to work properly, seems to be a cheap, and not quite so cheap version of these, particularly in the slimlines or & 7mm types.They soon work loose enough when assembled. I have had one come back that was so loose the biro pushed back when you tried to write with it, As far as I can tell the better ones have a "lock at the end of the travel to stop this happening .I have taken the precaution of testing the actions after pressing in and before pressing in the nib, 2 reasons you can hold the nib level with the end of the pen ,and see how far the ink end will come out by eye. Its also much easier to get the transmission out without the nib in place should you need to do so. But mostly I have found them to work ok ,just not sure how long lasting they may be , I have put cheap and not so cheap together and can't find any differences to judge them by, may all come from one factory in the end .Like your "brand" name and your generic . I am sure you will get a few takes on this from more experienced members :)

[Dagwood]

Grease is good. Leave it in there.