Lube Rear Sway Bar Bushings

[rocket8189]

I've put this off long enough. In cold weather, what I believe are my rear sway bar center bushings squeak when the bar flexes over dip in road. Car '04 C5 Z06--I purchased a can of the lube recommended by C4C5, GM Special Lubricant 1#12345879, saw another thread on how to keep lubricant in center of bushing--here is the question. Would replacements be better than lube, why pull them, lube and problem return if new is far less likely to squeak and....what is the process in removing them for lube? Appears they were off once when Borla's were put on this car, probably added to the cause. When I remove the center bushings, will the bar fall down and will I have to completely remove them over the end of the bar to get adequate lube in the proper location? Appreciate any recommendations on this.

Ken

[LLC5]

Originally Posted by rocket8189

I've put this off long enough. In cold weather, what I believe are my rear sway bar center bushings squeak when the bar flexes over dip in road. Car '04 C5 Z06--I purchased a can of the lube recommended by C4C5, GM Special Lubricant 1#12345879, saw another thread on how to keep lubricant in center of bushing--here is the question. Would replacements be better than lube, why pull them, lube and problem return if new is far less likely to squeak and....what is the process in removing them for lube? Appears they were off once when Borla's were put on this car, probably added to the cause. When I remove the center bushings, will the bar fall down and will I have to completely remove them over the end of the bar to get adequate lube in the proper location? Appreciate any recommendations on this.

Ken

It's easy to do, just unbolt the brackets and the sway bar will move safely down. The rubber bushings are split so they are easy to remove and reassemble. I have always cut little slices with a dremel inside the rubber bushings to try and hold in any lube, but it is not necessary to do so. Over time the lube may work it's way out (years hopefully, but I have seen it sooner) so don't be suprised if you have to do it again sometime. If the old bushings are in good shape after removal, I would reuse them. Good luck with it.

[froggy47]

All true what LLC5 posted, I would add if this is a stock c5z bar, I would be tempted to just buy new bushings, they do wear & may require regreasing, but the new ones (if you can get them) are not expensive and are probably good for 50k miles or more. They have a lining that is some kind of fabric/mesh like material and when that wears it may be that the squeak starts.