GriGri Grease... anyone? :)

New GriGri +, started to seep grease into the rope groove. Upon close inspection, it is full of grease. Is this normal? I have never observed this on a GriGri 2, and I was with the impression that it should have sealed bearings. An internet search on the subject turned nothing. Can anyone confirm that his/her GriGri + is also full of grease? :) Having grease on my rope is not exactly my idea of rope care... 

I did write them, will see what happens. It would help in the meantime if some other owner of GriGri + takes a look at the back side of the device though. It definitely looks like way more grease than what one would expect from a broken bearing seal. Ie. - it looks as if it has been factory greased this way. There is no excessive play either and in all other respects the device functions as expected. But having grease on my rope is not acceptable...

Yes, the GriGri+ units have greased installed into the cam. Mine has some as well. Just wipe it away, it's not a big deal.

Thanks for confirming my suspicion, but it is kind of a big deal for me when I find grease on my rope (a long streak in this case) and trace it down to my own belay device... maybe it's just me :)
Petzl did the unusual thing of not replying to me but forwarding my complaint to my country's dealer, who has nothing to do with this. I find this quite impolite and inadequate, as they were equally surprised and don't know what to say. Apparently not all GriGri + units have this problem - of the two other I examined yesterday - both brand new - none had such grease inside. The older GriGri and GriGri 2 devices we own also have no visible grease anywhere. So it seems I got an over greased device, which stains the rope, Petzl avoids responsibility and I just have to "wipe it away"... Which is not possible actually as it is not fully accessible from the back side and the only solution would be to soak it in solvent overnight. Weird, and certainly not what I expected. All our gear - both caving and climbing (I own a caving school) is Petzl and I hold this company in the highest esteem. And I will continue to use their products but they should get their act straight regarding such issues. I urge anyone with GriGri + to check their devices for excess grease and to wipe the rope groove if necessary, as chances are the first time you will notice a problem is when your rope is already greased.. 

Ivo DMX wrote:

Weird, and certainly not what I expected. All our gear - both caving and climbing (I own a caving school) is Petzl and I hold this company in the highest esteem. 

Then call Petzl, get an RA number and send it in for warranty. I agree, it shouldent be there, but it is so you can either fix it yourself, return it to the retailer or mail it into Petzl and tell them to fix it.

20 kN wrote:

Then call Petzl, get an RA number and send it in for warranty. I agree, it shouldent be there, but it is so you can either fix it yourself, return it to the retailer or mail it into Petzl and tell them to fix it.

Of course I will fix it myself, I just want to warn others, as on light colored ropes such as mine this was very visible, but on dark ropes one can actually soak the most used portion of a rope (especially with gym use) before anything is noticed. The grease they used is itself yellow transparent, but it picks up dirt and with the big pressure of lowering and arresting falls it gets very deep in the rope. Mine is pretty unwashable now. 

It's a "feature". The greased rope helps provide a dynamic belay and soft catch /s

And, sorry for doubting you. I saw that you had joined the same day you posted this and it was kind of unusual that no one else had mentioned this problem. So, sorry.

Mine has the same stuff.  I saw it after a 100 degree day in J Tree this fall.  I simply wiped it off and moved on.  I think it's just well lubed from the factory.  Call the warranty dept if you're concerned.  They will give you the info you need.  They're good like that.

wivanoff wrote:

Ivo DMX wrote:

Not much else to improve on this device anyhow :)

Based on your post, there is - perhaps need for grease should be eliminated. Frankly, sounds like a really strange design choice on Petzl's part - device that stops the rope using friction has grease leaking into the channel; grease has been know to reduce friction and attract dirt and contaminants.

Other things that might improve GG:
- variable strength cam spring - let the climber change engagement point of the cam.
- less idiotic override function  - right now, it is near impossible to lower someone on TR with a thick rope
- ambidextrous design - roughly 10% of population is lefthanded. 

amarius wrote:

Based on your post, there is - perhaps need for grease should be eliminated. Frankly, sounds like a really strange design choice on Petzl's part - device that stops the rope using friction has grease leaking into the channel; grease has been know to reduce friction and attract dirt and contaminants.

Other things that might improve GG:
- variable strength cam spring - let the climber change engagement point of the cam.
- less idiotic override function  - right now, it is near impossible to lower someone on TR with a thick rope
- ambidextrous design - roughly 10% of population is lefthanded. 

Agree. The part in bold though exists and is actually a feature of the GriGri+ - there is a rotating knob at the back which adjusts the spring tension for top roping and lead climbing. Very useful IMHO. 

Just to add, mine has grease too, but the tiniest amount. Hasn't been in extreme heat though, quite the opposite, it lives in my truck and I've only used it outside. Hasn't been in temps over 40-50 degrees, so who knows, maybe it will ooze once i move to TN and it's a tad bit warmer. 

Ice4life wrote:

Just to add, mine has grease too, but the tiniest amount. Hasn't been in extreme heat though, quite the opposite, it lives in my truck and I've only used it outside. Hasn't been in temps over 40-50 degrees, so who knows, maybe it will ooze once i move to TN and it's a tad bit warmer. 

No need for warmer climates. The friction from lowering someone is enough to make a small amount of grease sip. 

amarius wrote:

Other things that might improve GG:
- variable strength cam spring - let the climber change engagement point of the cam.
- less idiotic override function  - right now, it is near impossible to lower someone on TR with a thick rope
- ambidextrous design - roughly 10% of population is lefthanded. 

If you're referring to improvements to be made to the GriGri+, the anti-panic can be reset (return lever to neutral position) or it can be overridden by pulling back further on the lever which will effectively turn off the anti-panic feature and allow you to lower on stiffer/larger (gym?) ropes. See https://www.petzl.com/US/en/Sport/Triggering-the-anti-panic-handle?ProductName=GRIGRI-PLUS&Familly=Belay-devices-and-descenders

As far as being a lefty goes, you can just use the GriGri backwards (basically). See https://www.petzl.com/US/en/Sport/VIDEO---Specific-left-handed-technique?ProductName=GRIGRI-PLUS&Familly=Belay-devices-and-descenders

I called today about mine having the same issue - I too am under the impression that the components should be sealed. The guy I spoke with told me they have seen this with the grigris and to send in pictures. He also said it's normal to have some residual grease from manufacturing and I should be able to wipe it away and use the device without it leaking any more grease. If it continues to leak, then that's a problem and should definitely be sent in to Petzl. I don't really want to take the chance of the device leaking more grease onto my rope without me knowing, so I'm gooing to send pictures and go from there. 

R Aviv wrote:

If you're referring to improvements to be made to the GriGri+, the anti-panic can be reset (return lever to neutral position) or it can be overridden by pulling back further on the lever which will effectively turn off the anti-panic feature and allow you to lower on stiffer/larger (gym?) ropes. See https://www.petzl.com/US/en/Sport/Triggering-the-anti-panic-handle?ProductName=GRIGRI-PLUS&Familly=Belay-devices-and-descenders

As far as being a lefty goes, you can just use the GriGri backwards (basically). See https://www.petzl.com/US/en/Sport/VIDEO---Specific-left-handed-technique?ProductName=GRIGRI-PLUS&Familly=Belay-devices-and-descenders

as a lefty who was taught to climb by a lefty, may as well just learn right-dominant belay techniques.

Ivo DMX wrote:

Thanks for confirming my suspicion, but it is kind of a big deal for me when I find grease on my rope (a long streak in this case) and trace it down to my own belay device... maybe it's just me :)
Petzl did the unusual thing of not replying to me but forwarding my complaint to my country's dealer, who has nothing to do with this. I find this quite impolite and inadequate, as they were equally surprised and don't know what to say. Apparently not all GriGri + units have this problem - of the two other I examined yesterday - both brand new - none had such grease inside. The older GriGri and GriGri 2 devices we own also have no visible grease anywhere. So it seems I got an over greased device, which stains the rope, Petzl avoids responsibility and I just have to "wipe it away"... Which is not possible actually as it is not fully accessible from the back side and the only solution would be to soak it in solvent overnight. Weird, and certainly not what I expected. All our gear - both caving and climbing (I own a caving school) is Petzl and I hold this company in the highest esteem. And I will continue to use their products but they should get their act straight regarding such issues. I urge anyone with GriGri + to check their devices for excess grease and to wipe the rope groove if necessary, as chances are the first time you will notice a problem is when your rope is already greased.. 

DITTO. In fact Petzl is still on my shit list for the way they handled the Zephyr rope non recall (the red zephyr ropes) that all seemed to fall apart as if by magic. http://www.rockclimbing.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=1785716;page=1;mh=-1;;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC. As you hold them in high esteem, you might have missed this. It was a big deal. 

In fact, the only bright spot I can see is that I qualify to be one of their phone customer service reps just based on my own horrible attitude. Let see how that might go shall we.  

1st call, CUSTOMER: Hey man, this shit fell apart in my car 20 min after I bought it and I wound up dropping my buddy into the dirt when I used it anyway and it failed. ME - I'm sorry I'll look into that and get back to you SLAM ..as in SLAM the phone hanging up didn't get the return number as there was no need) Finished with the customer service.

2nd call, CUSTOMER (after our automated system recognised the number and put him on hold for 20 min to play ads so he might buy something else we make): "Hey man, I called earlier about this shit that fell apart in my car 20 min after I bought it and I wound up dropping my buddy into the dirt when I used it anyway and it failed and the customer service dude I talked too earlier was gonna get back to me but i haven't head bac...... INTERUPTING  - ME (Petzl Customer service rep) - speaking loudly so as to intimadate: "FU JACKASS. CLEARLY YOU PLEASURED YOURSELF ON OUR WONDERFUL XXXX AND THE MANGOO GUMMED UP THE MECHANISM" SLAM. 

3rd Call -CUSTOMER -"Hey man.."ME (callus interuptus)  "HEY, LISTEN UP COCKSUCKER CALL METOLIUS OR BD AS THEY CARE AND I DON'T AND IF YOU CALL BACK I'LL HAVE YOU ARRESTED FOR HARASSMENT" SLAM. 

I'd love that job. Why don't you send the customer service reps this thread link and see if they might send you some GOD DAMNED facts?  Like, the type of grease and tests showing that climbing ropes are impervious to that particular substance. My view is that it's most likely not an issue, but they still have a responsibility to get some truthful facts over to you. 

Oh, and on the grease on the rope thing. I apologize if I haven't addressed that yet. Here's my official tryout for the Petzl customer service team: "1st call response, "Don't worry. Petzl ropes are Mfg to the highest standards to repel all chemicals known to god and man. You are using a Petzl rope aren't you? CAUSE A LITTLE BIT OF GREASY WEASY WON'T GET THE LIL BOYZ PANTIES ALL IN A TWISTY WISTY WILL IT?" At this point I'm trying to avoid calls 2 and 3. 

How was that? Good for you too:-) After watching a kid near die when his rope broke in 2 while he was rappelling, I take getting crap on my rope pretty serious, glad to see I'm not alone in that either. Hopefully someone there will give you some real info at some point. Anyway, I wish you well, good luck. If you do get some info can you share it here? 

Have the same issue.  Should I be worried that it will impact the rope?

I always grease mine up before every belay. It really helps with rope feed during a sketchy clip

"While in general we would advise avoiding any chemicals coming into contact with your rope, this grease should not affect anything. I would recommend using a rag with some mild soap (Dawn) to try and clean the grease, then rinsing thoroughly with water if this grease is persisting after wiping the excess."