I made a lot of suspension upgrades earlier this year, and LOVE how the car handles. But like many others mine has developed a creaking noise, most likely from the sway bar bushings. I have the Steeda Competition adjustable bar installed 4 months ago. In the last few weeks it started making more and more noise over bumps, driveways, and even during weight transfer when accelerating. It came with some poly bushings, and the instructions say to lubricate one a year.

It's kind of a pain to take off the chassis bushings to lube them properly, has anyone tried any other solutions with good results? Different bushings, different lubricants? I've seen someone recommend using white lithium grease, but does that work on poly bushings?

 

Get some urethane bushings and add some marine grease.

 

IIRC, are not urethane and poly bushings one in the same

 

yes, just saying my preference as a generalized statement.

I dont think you can get any better than polyurethane bushings?

 

Totally agree, as I'll never go back to OEM rubber bushings again.. IMHO the OP just needs a better synthetic type grease for getting rid of his squeaking issues

 

The only thing better than polyurethane may be an elastomer type. Whiteline makes a sway bar kit with elastomer bushings they claim never need greasing and are noise free. I doubt I could get those for a Steeda bar (different size, 33mm vs 34mm). But I'm guessing there has to be better grease or other lubricant types which reduce the need for re-greasing. 4 months is too frequent if you ask me.

I got some of this for when i get the time to grease it next. Wondering if anyone used it before, or if there are better options.

https://lmr.com/item/PT-191750/prothane-super-grease

 

Rubber, poly, durlin and spherical rod ends. In that order. Poly bushings need silicone based lube, and more often than yearly. I lube mine bi-monthly or they make noise.

 

H&R sway bars have a patented self lubricating poly bushing. Mine are squeak free

 

Interesting about H&R. I never really looked too close at their stuff. Good info.

I have 2 events in September. Which means early September I will prep the car and re-grease. I'll check back in on this topi later and again next year.

 

Could always drill into it, tap it, and install a grease fitting

 

They actually already have grease fittings... do they actually work as intended? I assumed I have to take it all apart to make it quiet. Is there pressurized grease I can use with a grease fitting?

 

Do you have a picture of these things?
A grease gun will usually work most grease fittings, do you have one?

I have one of these and it works great

 

I have the regular adjustable Steeda sway bar and the thing squeaks like heck. I'd re-grease it and a week later it started creaking again. I put in their HD brackets and bushings a few weeks ago and it's seemed to hold up a little longer, but it is creaking again. Just not nearly as loud. I could never get the grease gun to work with the fittings, but that could just be me.

 

I may have to invest in one of these, thanks for the tip Gabe!

The best picture of the fittings I can find is on Steeda's site:

 

Two years ago I swapped in a BMR rear sway bar with grease fittings and poly bushings and am using their recommendation of SuperLube 41150 synthetic grease once a year.


Quiet as can be.....

 

I haven't done sway bars yet, but when I did the lower control arms, adj pan hard bar etc. I lubed the bushings with Mobil 1 synthetic grease. That was about 15 months ago and I haven't developed any squeaks yet.

 

I have the white line and the bushings are great. Zero noise.

Those grease ports should work great. I have similar on my rear panhard bar and I've regreased once or twice.

Good luck!