Putting grease on a worn wheel is not clever. It is a finding.
Got a quality notice today. Somebody greased the wheel to hide how worn it was so they would not have to change it.
Most pilots would see that on a walk-around. Some maintenance guys still think if they colour the wheel the pilots will miss it. They do not miss it. We do not miss it either. It looks obvious.
I have seen a maintenance engineer lose his licence for a few months for doing this. It is a stupid risk. You are not saving the flight. You are just hoping nobody see the wheel.
Inspect it clean. If the wheel is worn, say it is worn and change it. That is the whole job.
*Images with and without grease.
- Mi teniente, vamos a hacernos todos un selfie en grupo!!
- Que venga el Cuco también!
- Pe, pe, pero… El cuco también??
- También, coño!!, que venga el Cuco!!