Cleaning a trackball

[GregD]

I have a used Happ trackball that looks almost brand new.  The rolling action is a little crunchy going one way.  I am going to remove the rollers and bearings and give them an oil bath.  My question is, what is the best type of oil to use for this?  WD40 or is there something better?  I know WD40 does a good job cleaning but will it be good for long term lubrication as well?  Thanks

[surface tension]

I wrote an article on my blog a while back about my experience of cleaning Happ bearings, as I come across this issue often. As a habit I now perform this on every one I install now to make sure we don't get any comeback. I've also spoken to someone at Suzo-Happ, but he claims he's not heard it before.

http://www.arcade-lounge.co.uk/2009/10/31/fixing-a-sticky-happ-trackball/

So, you want a mineral oil, not a silicon based... so definitely not WD-40.

[menace]

When I did mine, I used a foosball slider lubricant--its not as thick as a 3-in-1 oil, but thicker than a wd-40.  If the oil is too thick it will slow your bearings down

[CheffoJeffo]

Menace is not as thick as I am (nice to see you man ... I'm still almost ready to fix that stupid Hantarex!).

I like 3-in-1 for lubricating bearings, but Menace has restored more trackballs than anybody I know, so we can trust him.

[RandyT]

I know WD40 does a good job cleaning but will it be good for long term lubrication as well?  Thanks

Trackball bearing lube is a tradeoff between viscosity for long term lubrication and lack thereof for easy movement.  I have found one of the better solutions to be 3-in-1 SAE20 electric motor oil.  You can pick it up at your local LOWES.

RandyT