How to get ancient grease from a tiny gearbox?

[metalmagpie]

The machine is a track burner. DC motor's shaft points forward. On the shaft is a worm. The worm drives a pinion which rotates the machine's drive axle. On the front of the machine is a little gearbox cover 2x2" or less. I pulled it off and the gearbox is stuffed with grease which is contaminated with wood dust (the machine came out of a sailboat repair outfit in a port city).

I spent some time with a small screwdriver and got several cubic inches of grease out but it's still impossible to see what's going on in there. I think everything in there is metal. Maybe a fiber washer or two. Can I safely spray brake cleaner in there?

I have to take the worm loose in order to be able to pull the whole drive axle assembly out from the side. But so far I can't even see what's retaining it.

How would you approach this?

metalmagpie

 

[The Cobbler]

I would start with mineral spirits or kerosene and a small brush .even let it soak for 12 hrs to soften it up

 

[rburke65]

How about a little heat.....maybe a heat gun...?

 

[larry_g]

X2 on the Kero. Until you know the materials in there then a petroleum based solvent is safer.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[M_George]

They using WD40. I've used it successfully many times.
It will melt right through the grease and flush it out.

 

[bwringer]

Yep, WD-40 or kerosene would be pretty safe for whatever is in there. Put it in a spray bottle.

Kerosene is cheaper, WD-40 stinks less.

Since you don't need much, you could also use lamp oil; it's basically kerosene with assorted charming scents and colors added, and it comes in quart containers.

 

[toplessHO]

small ultrasonic cleaner will work
OTOH sawdust was used to quiet down many a noisy rear end at the used car lots

 

[kbs2244]

With the possibility of fiber, I would avoid brake cleaner.
Not Wd40 either, it is not meant for this.
I would go with the kerosene or, even better, acetone left overnight

Look for part number on the motor and/or gearbox.
Mfgs often bought them as an assembly from the motor mfg.
You may be able to find a drawing.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

When I was more into radio controlled stuff, I used and old Waterpik with diluted water based parts cleaner to flush the little gearboxes and differentials.

I might just get another one someday...

Tommy

 

[hammerhead611]

CRC QD Plastic safe contact cleaner
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BXKZVA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[5ktq]

Soak it in varsol, stir it up, once it's mostly cleaned out blast it with syphon gun & varsol, etc.

Though sometimes I just put things in a bucket of hot hot water & dish soap. blow dry after. Might be wise with the price of solvent lately. (probably not suitable if the gearbox doesn't detach from the motor).