Putting some poly bushings in the dog bones of my '89. It wasn't too hard to "press" the old bushings out using my vice. To be thorough (and fun), I polished up the arms to make them look near new. More specifically, I polished the insides of the eyelets too. Mostly to make sure they were clear (no sanding....just ran a 2" buff inside until clean/smooth). I did the later when not sure what surfaces rotated inside the arm-ends.

Read a few links on the subject and found one specifically stating the outside of the bushings aren't supposed to rotate in the eyelets...and don't need grease. Makes sense. To be honest, I have to pull the trailing arm retainer bolts to learn if the metal bushing rotates around the bolts OR if it's "clamped" by the bolt and the poly rotates around the metal insert..... or both?

I'm thinking more grease where it rotates and less/none where it's supposed to stay "stationary"? OTOH, I just pushed the poly halves into the trailing arms without needing a press. Unless they "swell" under load and/or being clamped, it seems the entire poly bushing could rotate in the dog ear. If THAT'S the case, maybe lube on the outer part of the bushing would prevent suspension squeak?

I also read putting lube on the outer flange would prevent squeaks.

So, my question is WHERE to lube the parts to make sure I minimize chances of cold-weather squeaking. And I probably should ask about the choice of: supplied grease, moly grease, or marine grease? I have the first two but would need to buy the later.

Maybe I should even consider using some silicone (adhesive) to help freeze the bushings in the eyelets...so ONLY the inner sleeve experiences movement/rotation?

What are your thoughts and/or experience?



FYI...80k mile '89 with Energy Suspension black bushings.

 

I have little experience with poly bushings, but lately, the ones I have installed, I've coated both, inner and outer surfaces with silicone grease. my understanding is the newer bushings do not squeak like the stuff from 30 years ago. never gave in any thought whether the bushings rotate or pivot within the housings or not - if there's movement, I assume it's minimal. the silicone does help with installation, such as sway bar end links that need to be pressed into place. in a nutshell, whether needed or not, I give everything a light coating of silicone grease during assembly - even the inner metal sleeve to bolt contact surfaces - any and all contact points that would pivot or rotate. shouldn't hurt anything. on my 85, I've really only done the rear suspension, and to date, there doesn't seem to be any squeaking issues. most likely, i'll do the same next year with the front suspension rebuild.