Lubricant to Prevent Rust on Bolts?

For some time I was using anti-seize grease on bolts, but I noticed grease attracts dust/dirt. So I’m guessing I need some sort of oil for this. I had a hard time finding a product at Walmart for this purpose. I found only one bottle that could be used for this: 3-in-one multi-purpose oil. Does anyone know what kind of oil tire mechanics use to lubricate the bolt thread on semi truck wheels?

 

Don't laugh but if that is high carbon steel, I use gun oil. The same as that used on the Colt.

If I wanted a particular bolt to be really protected such as on the battery ternimal, I'll spray it with a material out of a special can that covers the bolt and it will not corrode for the season.

 

Supposed to use 30W motor oil.

 

As crazy as this might sound, for hub piloted studs and nuts, the only trucks and trailers I have that made it to 500,000 miles with out having the studs replaced never had a drop of lube on the threads. And every truck and trailer I service that started its life in a different shop usually gets studs between 200,000 to 300,000.
And we are 80% off highway.

Freightliner repair manual even says no lube on threads, one drop of lube between nut and washer.

So I cringe when our trucks get a tire fixed I see anti-seize slathered all over the wheel studs. I breakclean it off and look at how bad the threads are pulled. Bolt the wheel back on, and continue working on the salesman for a better price on wheel studs and nuts...

 

The reason for no antisieze on the hub piloted studs explained to me by the wheel manufacturer, was when you spin the nut on, it pushes the antisieze up and builds up under the washer, so the wheel is not really tight. If you will notice any wheels that are pulled off of studs that have antisieze on them the holes are slightly egg shaped, and the manufacturer says to scrap them. They claimed many tire shops bought customers a lot of wheels when they first started becoming common.
I will not say this is gospel, but I have seen many wheels with egg shaped holes.

 

Spray them with clear lacquer after tightening, I've never done it myself, but it would definitely keep them from rusting. I do use any spray paint handy on battery terminal ends, flat black enamel seems to work best(after they're assembled and tight).Keeps them from corroding.Never use grease, unless it's dielectric, but that's messy.

 

Engine oil of any weight would be acceptable for wheel end studs. Like everything else, little goes a long way. A few drops and make sure the washer spins and does not bind.

For a protectant, Fluid Film is nice stuff.

 

Absolutely no oil or grease and especially no antisieze compound on any of my trucks wheels.

You don't use a thing.

Why?

Because there is an issue with the amount of torque (pressure) and the threads.

 

Straight from Alcoa service manual:

 

You are correct that lubricants do affect torque values.

Lack of proper lubricant will leave the fastener under torqued or with low clamp load.