C2 Front Sway Bar End Links. Lube?

[Paul L.]

I ordered a new set from GM. The chassis manual speaks of a rubber lubricant for the bushings. What type of lube would that be?

[mikemccagh]

Re: C2 Front Sway Bar End Links. Lube?

probably better off not lubricating them as if you do, it'll become necessary to do so on a regular basis. mike

[John H.]

Re: C2 Front Sway Bar End Links. Lube?

Paul -

No lubricant of any kind is specified for the stabilizer bar end link bushings. If correct appearance is desired, the ones in the photo are dichromated aftermarket parts with Nylock nuts; the correct parts are zinc-plated, with fine-thread WB2C bolts and non-locking hex nuts.

[Paul L.]

Re: C2 Front Sway Bar End Links. Lube?

John,
The pic is just an example of what I am speaking of in case I got the nomenclature incorrect. They are indeed aftermarket and poly not rubber. I ordered the rubber kits from my local GM dealer. I do not know if they will meet the specs you noted. We shall see.

Based on your comment re no lube I re-checked the 1967 chassis manual.

Quote-"If new insulators are necessary, coat stabilizer with recommended rubber lubricant and slide frame bushings into place."

I am normally assiduous when it comes to attention to detail but in this instance I erred. That quote is a reference to the U-shaped frame bushings and not the end link bushings. There is no word on lubing the latter. So I am eating humble pie for dinner this evening!

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 Front Sway Bar End Links. Lube?

You're referring to the "pillow block bushings". The '63 AIM (Sect. 3 Sheet 3.00) that shows installation for the front anti-roll bar says nothing about lubricating the pillow block bushings. As with the control arm bushings, I believe the pillow block bushings, when tighted down with the pillow block mounting bolts, should compress and "grab" both the bar and pillow blocks.

As a result, as the bar twists though its few degrees of normal rotation all the movement is within the rubber itself, not between the bushing and the bar. Otherwise, the rubber bushing bore would wear rapidly.

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Front Sway Bar End Links. Lube?

Paul-----

Notwithstanding any reference to it in the service manual, "rubber lubricant" was a "phenomenon" of the 50s and 60s. It used to be that when cars were serviced, all of the suspension rubber components were sprayed liberally with a "rubber lubricant" from a squirt can or a gallon can with a hose and "squirter". In fact, when I held my only position ever in the automotive industry (as a part time "pump jockey" and mechanic's helper at a Chevron service station when I was in high school) this was a job that the mechanic would often assign to me (if I wasn't pumping gas). Later, it became understood that the "rubber lubricant" did more harm than good. Rather than "preserve" the rubber suspension components, it contributed to their untimely demise. I don't think that the product is even sold anymore.

[Paul L.]

Re: C2 Front Sway Bar End Links. Lube?

Thanks to all respondents! Despite what the 1967 GM manual says about lube I will put the link bushings in "raw". I appreciate everyone's advice. I will have the GM parts tomorrow and post a pic just to determine if they are reasonably correct.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Front Sway Bar End Links. Lube?

Paul-----

For these bushings, any sort of lubricant is not even necessary as an installation aid. The bushings are "splt" so they can be easily installed on the bar.

[Richard D.]

Re: C2 Front Sway Bar End Links. Lube?

Yes, me too.

We used to use "CRC" spray on all those rubber parts.

Rich

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 Front Sway Bar End Links. Lube?

Ah, what memories! I remember doing the same thing, Joe, when I worked at a couple of Seattle gas station in the sixties. I guess at the time I didn't understand how suspension bushings work, and neither did the folks who taught me this "trick", but I certainly do now.

Since all the rotational movement in modern suspension bushings is accomplished via strain (deflection) of the rubber, there is no relative motion at boundaries or between surfaces and ABSOLUTELY no lubricant of any kind is required. Prior to "modern" rubber bushings, such as on '55-up Chevies, most cars had suspension joints with zerk fittings that required periodic greasing, and this design carried through on C1s.

The best thing you can to for bushings is keep them clean, especially of any petroleum products such as oil from leaks. Same applies to all rubber components such as motor mounts. Oil will increase the rubber's rate of deterioration.

Duke