Clipped form of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a gray-black layered mineral used as a solid lubricant. Moly grease, typically lithium or lithium complex with about 3 to 5 percent MoS2, is the go-to for chassis points, pins, bushings and splines, where slow, shock-loaded sliding keeps the film in boundary. It is usually kept out of high-speed rolling bearings, where the solids add little and can pile up in the load zone.
Hit the bucket pins with the moly, the regular red grease won't hold under that pounding.
Also heard as
- moly grease
- MoS2
- molybdenum disulfide
Related terms
Solid lubricant
Dry film material such as graphite, molybdenum disulfide or PTFE that cuts friction without a liquid.
Grease
Semi-solid lubricant made of oil held in a thickener sponge, usually with additives.
EP
Extreme pressure: additives or oils that react with metal under heavy load to prevent welding and scuffing.
Lithium complex
Grease thickener made from a lithium soap plus a complexing acid, the all-purpose bearing workhorse.