Sway bar bushes sqeaky!

G6noob · 02-02-2023, 10:51 AM

hi guys is it ok to post this here?

My car squeaks over those annoying speed bumps that are basically every 100 metres where i drive and deliver stuff. I want to remove the inside bushes and clean and re grease and put them back on. Whats the easiest way to do this, the nuts seem so tight I couldnt even budge them, would I jack both sides of front up first, because I can access without jacks, Im just not sure what pressure is on the sway bar when all two wheels are on the ground as opposed to them being lifted (or one lifted). Sorry if this is a really dumb quesition!

jaydee · 02-02-2023, 01:55 PM

Have you tried just lubricating with WD40 or similar?

Yellow_Festiva · 02-02-2023, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaydee

Have you tried just lubricating with WD40 or similar?

I'm wondering if that will do something to the rubber?

I heard boot polish was used to lubricate bushes 'back in the day'. Not sure if there was any truth behind it.

Interceptor · 02-02-2023, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G6noob

I want to remove the inside bushes and clean and re grease and put them back on. Whats the easiest way to do this

Either a pair of ramps or jack both sides up and support the car on jack stands, use some muscles and undo the bolts, remove the bushes, clean the swaybar with emery tape or a scotchbrite pad, then use new rubber bushes, urethane bushes will eventually end up squeaking.

Only lifting one side will put a twisting force on the sway bar and it will make it an unpleasant job to remove and nigh on impossible to refit

G6noob · 02-02-2023, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaydee

Have you tried just lubricating with WD40 or similar?

I thought of it but I thought wd40 attacks rubber?

T3rminator · 02-02-2023, 04:57 PM

Do it at ride height. Get new bushes. Superpro is ok, if you use their grease, it won't need regreasing for 1-2 years.....possibly longer. If you use other greases, you might find that you need to regrease them every 6 months or so, depending how many puddles you run over.

G6noob · 02-02-2023, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Interceptor

Either a pair of ramps or jack both sides up and support the car on jack stands, use some muscles and undo the bolts, remove the bushes, clean the swaybar with emery tape or a scotchbrite pad, then use new rubber bushes, urethane bushes will eventually end up squeaking.

Only lifting one side will put a twisting force on the sway bar and it will make it an unpleasant job to remove and nigh on impossible to refit

THANKS! i thought it might put more pressure on it if jacking it one side only.

And another dumb question! when I jack it up, where do you put the jack stand as the jack is in the reinforced section?

G6noob · 02-02-2023, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3rminator

Do it at ride height. Get new bushes. Superpro is ok, if you use their grease, it won't need regreasing for 1-2 years.....possibly longer. If you use other greases, you might find that you need to regrease them every 6 months or so, depending how many puddles you run over.

THANKS! No squeaks today as its ****ing down rain!

**cs123** · 02-02-2023, 05:14 PM

Silicone grease is compatible with poly bushes and rubber bushes.

You can get silicon grease from bunnings in the plumbing section (tap repair kits for about $10) or a car store ($25 tube). The little packets of dielectric grease that they often sell for headlight sockets is also silicone grease. Probably score that for a few $

But there could be a million things causing that squeak from sway bar links, to control arms... good luck.

Dr Terry · 02-02-2023, 05:32 PM

The sway bar should not move move inside the bushes. The rubber should "stick" to the rubber & the rubber does all of the flexing. Don't lubricate the bushes at all, they should be totally dry & tightened at ride height.

This is why poly bushes are always noisy, they don't flex.

Dr Terry

Citroënbender · 02-02-2023, 05:33 PM

I’m thinking HONK has traded the FG XR6.

ozpacman · 02-02-2023, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I’m thinking HONK has traded the FG XR6.

I was just thinking this morning that he's been a bit quiet!

**GasoLane** · 02-02-2023, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozpacman

I was just thinking this morning that he's been a bit quiet!

It takes time to think up inane posts.

Vesper Martini · 03-02-2023, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

The sway bar should not move move inside the bushes. The rubber should "stick" to the rubber & the rubber does all of the flexing. Don't lubricate the bushes at all, they should be totally dry & tightened at ride height.

This is why poly bushes are always noisy, they don't flex.

Dr Terry

I was going to say this - they are not designed to be greased - so don't do it.

Im wondering if the car has been fitted with Poly bushes & that's why its squeaking