Sway Bar Bushing Lube?

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Steve Towers
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Sway Bar Bushing Lube?

Post by Steve Towers »

What do folks use as a lube between rubber and metal. In this case, sway bar bushings. I know anything petroleum based in not good, as that will harm the rubber. I think lube with a PTFE (Teflon) base would work. The aerospace elastomer lubes like 111 or Christo-lube are WAY too expensive.

Suggestions?
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Thomas Smith
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Re: Sway Bar Bushing Lube?

Post by Thomas Smith »

I always use nickel based anti-seize. Its a little messy but lasts along time.
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Mako Koiwai
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Re: Sway Bar Bushing Lube?

Post by Mako Koiwai »

How would Marine grease work? Very sticky ... might resist being used up, washed away, etc. longer ?

Whatever ... make sure there is no binding. I think Brian added a extra set of washers to ours to make sure it wasn't being clamped down on
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Jason Isley BS RX8
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Re: Sway Bar Bushing Lube?

Post by Jason Isley BS RX8 »

White lithium grease. :thumbup:
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Chuck Fowler
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Re: Sway Bar Bushing Lube?

Post by Chuck Fowler »

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/pr ... =9%2E11104 best stuff there is.
you can get it locally from PAW
it's only paranoia if your wrong
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Steve Towers
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Re: Sway Bar Bushing Lube?

Post by Steve Towers »

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/pr ... =9%2E11104 best stuff there is.
you can get it locally from PAW
I'd like to read the whole compatability list. The web page doesn't say it's rubber compatible and it shown along with urethane bushings.

I found some stuff called "Sil-Glyde" sold in NAPA stores. Has all the right characteristics. $7 for a 4 oz tube.

http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Detail ... 0254127595" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Jason Isley BS RX8
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Re: Sway Bar Bushing Lube?

Post by Jason Isley BS RX8 »

Chuck Fowler wrote:http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/pr ... =9%2E11104 best stuff there is.
you can get it locally from PAW
That stuff sucks. Sticky, nasty, and picks up lots of dirt. Starts to feel like glue after a while.
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Chuck Fowler
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Re: Sway Bar Bushing Lube?

Post by Chuck Fowler »

Jason Isley BS RX8 wrote:
Chuck Fowler wrote:http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/pr ... =9%2E11104 best stuff there is.
you can get it locally from PAW
That stuff sucks. Sticky, nasty, and picks up lots of dirt. Starts to feel like glue after a while.
i would say any greasy suspension piece does, but for bushings you don't have easy access to re-lube, the stuff is great
it's only paranoia if your wrong
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Re: Sway Bar Bushing Lube?

Post by Jonathan Lugod »

i use graphite moly from harbour freight. :thumbup:
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Jason Flores
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Re: Sway Bar Bushing Lube?

Post by Jason Flores »

Jonathan Lugod wrote:i use graphite moly from harbour freight. :thumbup:
Hey so do I!!

did i do your car or did you do mine?
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Re: Sway Bar Bushing Lube?

Post by John Fendel »

I've always used the Red Line Assembly Lube.
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Re: Sway Bar Bushing Lube?

Post by Webster Jessup »

Steve Towers wrote:What do folks use as a lube between rubber and metal. In this case, sway bar bushings. I know anything petroleum based in not good, as that will harm the rubber. I think lube with a PTFE (Teflon) base would work. The aerospace elastomer lubes like 111 or Christo-lube are WAY too expensive.

Suggestions?
Just to clear up some misunderstandings.

MCG 111 would be a horrible lubricant in this scenario. Just because it's aerospace, doesn't make it a good lubricant. MCG 111 is for oxygen service, that's it. Aerospace lubricants are mainly designed for low vapor pressures, oxygen service, and contact with oxidizers.


I would use lithium based molybdenum grease as it's designed for high pressure and is high viscosity.
Last edited by Webster Jessup on Tue Jan 05, 2010 10:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Steve Towers
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Re: Sway Bar Bushing Lube?

Post by Steve Towers »

Yea, you're right about the 111. I had a brain cramp - been a while since I was in an aerospace assembly environment. Might have been thinking about Krytox. Or not thinking at all.

Thanks.
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