Is it safe to lubricate my rubber?

I can't get the rear trailing arm bushings for our E30 in the hole. The old ones were terrible to get out and now the new ones won't go in. So I was thinking of putting a little bearing grease on them and use a piece of all thread though the middle, some nuts and washers and pull the bushing through. What's the normal procedure for getting these suckers in? The grease won't cause any problems degrading the rubber will it, or am I over thinking this?

Don't use grease, use Dawn dish soap.

Won't harm anything.

Did the lollipop bushings on my E30 with it.

Grease can (in theory) degrade the rubber

Whatever you do, don't use PB Blaster... it makes rubber glue.

The good ones usually come with a little lubrication...oh bushings you mean?

I don't know if bearing grease is safe, but there are special greases meant specifically for bushings (sometimes called "rubber grease"). Silicone-based greases are also safe.

If you don't, she'll likely complain.

Silicone grease. Every part store has it and it's safe to use on pretty much any car part you'll ever deal with. If there's ever doubt of harming something or chemical incompatibility, use silicone grease or silicone spray!

Bryce

N Sperlo wrote: If you don't, she'll likely complain.

This. And that applies to car or girl.

I used dawn and the method you described to pull them into place.. worked like a charm. getting them out was kind of fun.. a torch does fun things to rubber bushings

How about some lithium grease like they suggest for poly bushes?

This stuff is freaking amazing, but it is a little pricey:

http://whiteline.com.au/product_detail4.php?part_number=W93200

Dawn, in my experience, works better than any other lubricant I've tried for bushings. It's amazing!

Thanks for the heads up on dish soap, don't know why I didn't think to try that. I keep hearing Dawn, no love for Palmolive?

Palmolive sucks. Dawn is the only real dish soap.

I just douche 'em with Armor All....

I'm not sure it would work on a bushing, but rubbing alcohol is a great rubber lube - and as soon as it evaporates its locked in place. Just don't use it on a rubber johnny

KJ

MichaelYount wrote: I just douche 'em with Armor All....

I was thinking about that, it's a good practice on rubber bushings to extend their life but I don't know how much it would help with lubrication...

Nashco wrote: Silicone grease. Every part store has it and it's safe to use on pretty much any car part you'll ever deal with. If there's ever doubt of harming something or chemical incompatibility, use silicone grease or silicone spray! Bryce

*Unless it is in the engine or intake system. Silicone will kill O2 sensors in a heartbeat.

White lithium grease was my go-to for rubber bushing or hose install. Now I use Wurth True Glide. But Wurth products aren't exactly easily available to the public.

Silicone dielectric grease, designed for lubing rubber seals in electrical connections.

I used to use that Kenny... I seem to recall it was yellow. It would go on slimey and as it dried it turned to a glue like substance. We used it to install 4-0 and 2-0 into disconnects as they had tight and thick rubber boots (400amp service will curl your hair if you get bit)

I did every bushing in my SpecMiata with dish soap.It works so well that some of them kept popping back out of the A-arms until I got them bolted in place.I did it with a collection of threaded rod,bolts, washers and pipe nipples.

JohnInKansas wrote: Palmolive sucks. Dawn is the only real dish soap.

Your insane. Palmolive is the best. I can the a member here any longer.

Joey

mad_machine wrote: I used to use that Kenny... I seem to recall it was yellow. It would go on slimey and as it dried it turned to a glue like substance. We used it to install 4-0 and 2-0 into disconnects as they had tight and thick rubber boots (400amp service will curl your hair if you get bit)

I'm thinking of Dow Corning #4. Translucent white, tacky, doesn't really dry up, makes good lube for door and sunroof seals.

http://www.dowcorning.com/applications/search/default.aspx?R=402EN

EDIT: Its actually recommended as an assembly lube for rubber on metal. "Used for making a moisture-proof seal for aircraft, automotive and marine ignition systems and spark plug connections, electrical assemblies and terminals, assembly lubricant for various metal-on-plastic and metal-on-rubber combinations."

that's good to know, Kenny. Thanks

I used dish soap as well on the Miata.

Joey

Hand cleaner works too, just not the kind with grit in it. The kind of lube for her also works for this kind of thing. Just spray it with water when it starts to dry out and it gets slicker.

Can you freeze the bushing to shrink it?