To grease or not to grease stem?

[oiljam]

I'm replacing the standard stem on my wifes Triban 3 for a (shorter) deda zero 1. Do I grease inside the stem where it clamps on the steerer and handlebars. I know I need to do the bolts. Won't greasing inside the stem cause it to slip?
I've done searches and read some answers but I'm still confused.

 

[amaferanga]

No, don't grease the stem/bars interface.

Perhaps you're getting confused by carbon paste which is used with carbon parts (but it's not grease anyway - it's designed to increase friction to stop slipping).

 

[oiljam]

Ok thanks. That's affirmative. Exactly what I needed, a straight answer.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Any reason not to grease the stem clamps? I did this last weekend, to try to remove some persistent creaking noises, and haven't had any issues with the handlebar moving.

 

[crazyjoe101]

I oiled (not geased) every metal-metal contact of my quill stem as to elimninate some creaking noises (and give it a good degrease in the process). It got rid of 80% of the noise (the rest was the headset) and the only problem has been the handlebar clamp working loose, that was the screws coming out though, which has happened twice before... I hope I don't live to regret it...

 

[Biker Joe]

I prefer not to use grease on the clamp unless it starts creaking. Then I put on a very thin smear of grease. That usually cures the creak with no slipping problems.

 

[fossyant]

Always grease mine. Stops any creaks. Never had an issue with them coming undone.

 

[Sittingduck]

+1 for a light smear of grease

 

[oiljam]

Herein starts the debate. I knew it weren't that simple.
I'm going to leave the grease initially then if it starts creaking then I'll apply a little.
As far as I can deduce there really isn't a definate answer to this question.

Thank you all though for taking time to reply your take on it. Hasn't Mickle covered it?

 

[Cyclopathic]

I grease my seat stems because I don't want them to get stuck in there but I've never had that problem with handlebar/stem interface so I would not just grease it as a matter of course. To my mind it is better that this part does not come loose or have any encouragement to do so.