Grease a square taper spindle, yay or nay?

[Twilkes]

Any differing experiences either way?

 

[MichaelW2]

I use grease but really that would be an ecumenical matter.

 

[Blue Hills]

I tend to grease on the basis that I grease any metal to metal interface. And may help with mating. And seriously what harm can it do?

 

[Ajax Bay]

Cranks sliding on to the tapered spindle will not then move and lubrication will not make a difference. So the only reason is to minimise any spindle corrosion - which in my experience is either non-existent even after years outside, or not an issue: the crank extractor will do its job if ever needed.
But as @Blue Hills says: what harm can it do.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Campagnolo advice putting a small bit of grease on the taper and then giving it a wipe with a rag so that most of it comes off albeit a thin smear.

I do that with all makes and have had no problems.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

I use coppa slip. Prevents Ally to steel binding/corrosion

 

[fossyant]

I always dab some grease on, as a minimum stops corrosion. No issues taking cranks off my 30 year old road bikes.

 

[raleighnut]

Copaslip here too.

 

[grldtnr]

Definitely not! It is a interference fit,a hard surface/ soft face , as best has qouted up thread, a good clean, a very light smear of grease then wiped off.
Always I have lightly nipped up, backed of the nut/ bolt, a light tap with a block of wood & mallet on the crank ,then tighted up , being a taper fit gives it the grip, but it can be too tight.

 

[Twilkes]

Definitely not! It is a interference fit,a hard surface/ soft face , as best has qouted up thread, a good clean, a very light smear of grease then wiped off.
Always I have lightly nipped up, backed of the nut/ bolt, a light tap with a block of wood & mallet on the crank ,then tighted up , being a taper fit gives it the grip, but it can be too tight.

I had read in one place that "as much grease as you would find on a mechanic's hand" was the right amount.

What would be the symptoms of an overtightened crank bolt? I'm assuming that if you keep tightening it won't actually move the crank any further up the taper?

 

[ColinJ]

What would be the symptoms of an overtightened crank bolt? I'm assuming that if you keep tightening it won't actually move the crank any further up the taper?

I don't know what caused this problem of mine - overtightening, undertightening...?

 

[cyberknight]

I don't know what caused this problem of mine - overtightening, undertightening...?

View attachment 633061

mahoosive powh !

i would have said under but dont quote me

in relation to square taper i always put grease on the inside of the non drive side cup as on a number of occasions i have had mysterious creaks that originated from there .

 

[rogerzilla]

Having had two seized ungreased cranks where the extractor ripped right out of the threads...grease.

 

[Johnsco]

I don't know what caused this problem of mine - overtightening, undertightening...?

View attachment 633061

Looks like a manufacturing defect to me.
Regarding greasing - or not - I use a very light smear of Rocol Never-Seize (Similar to Copper-Slip)
I'm not really sure that I would describe a taper fit as an "interference fit".

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Grease , you don’t want a crank arm seized on.