Dillon 550b Pivot Lube Suggestions

[Silphidae 33]

In the middle of loading 4,000 rounds of 9mm and hitting my groove 2,500 into it.  Handle becAme very hard to operate, obviously time to break it down and re-lube.  Most of the resistance comes from the bottom most cross pin on the piston.  This  happens about every 2,500 rounds and this seems like an excessively short period of time since I shoot at least 1,500 rounds per month lately and like to load 3,000+ at a time.   I've used Ariens Snow Blower Grease and axle grease with similar results.  

 

Anyone have any suggestions for a pivot lube that will last longer, it's not dirty enough to have to break it down every 2,500 rounds and this is a real PITA. 

 

Resistance is most definitely at the bottom most pivot point, as all resistance is gone once I take remove this part. Piston is lubed with 30 weight motor oil per manual and moves freely.  AS A SIDE NOTE, THE BOTTOM PIVOTS ONLY HAVE A WASHER ON THE INSIDE OF THE ARMS, THE OUTSIDE ONLY HAS THE LOCK WASHER PRESSING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE ARMS.  

 

Thanks! 

[Vlad G 345]

Call Dillon and ask? Mine does that too but at much longer intervals, over the years I've used lithium grease, slide glide, etc, and they all seemed to have worked about the same, maybe every 10k rounds.

[Silphidae 33]

I was 28th and then then 26th in queue today........ain't no way I'm waiting that long to talk to Dillon rep!

[Vlad G 345]

Try not on the first day of the week. Call them tomorrow afternoon. Everyone loads on weekends, breaks something and calls them on Monday, or in this case virtual Monday.

[Earlswagger 13]

In the middle of loading 4,000 rounds of 9mm and hitting my groove 2,500 into it.  Handle becAme very hard to operate, obviously time to break it down and re-lube.  Most of the resistance comes from the bottom most cross pin on the piston.  This  happens about every 2,500 rounds and this seems like an excessively short period of time since I shoot at least 1,500 rounds per month lately and like to load 3,000+ at a time.   I've used Ariens Snow Blower Grease and axle grease with similar results.  

 

Anyone have any suggestions for a pivot lube that will last longer, it's not dirty enough to have to break it down every 2,500 rounds and this is a real PITA. 

 

Resistance is most definitely at the bottom most pivot point, as all resistance is gone once I take remove this part. Piston is lubed with 30 weight motor oil per manual and moves freely.  AS A SIDE NOTE, THE BOTTOM PIVOTS ONLY HAVE A WASHER ON THE INSIDE OF THE ARMS, THE OUTSIDE ONLY HAS THE LOCK WASHER PRESSING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE ARMS.  

 

Thanks!

 

Lesniewv,

I have 2 of these machines, one was an old one I rebuilt and other, a much newer complete 550b. The new ones now come with a grease zerk on the pivot you mention. I asked dillon about this and was told it shouldn't matter. I find it odd they changed a part on the machine, but it doesn't matter. I would ask them to send you the new pivot with built in zerk. It should fix your issue. I have not found the old one to be a problem, but also use w30 oil, as they recommend.

 

Hope that helps.

[Silphidae 33]

Helps a lot! The crappy hole on mine is absolutely useless, a ffitting makes much more sense......

[Guest]

I mixed some liquid frog lube with some rubbing alcohol and spray it on the moving parts, that works great for me

[Respect2A 0]

Install a grease zerk if you have the means

[Silphidae 33]

I'm going to call today and ask for an upgraded arm, they've been great so far when I've needed help. Sent me two Teflon plates that go under the primer system, alignment tool and a new primer bar for free when I was having issues. If they won't do that I'll install the fitting myself.

 

Thanks for the suggestions, always good to be prepared before having the conversation with customer service.

[Silphidae 33]

20 minutes on hold, 5 minutes talking with CS and new lower with fitting is on its way. I didn't even mention it, just described the issue and he told me about the new part. I do love Dillon CS!!!!!!!