Be careful of advice... Never Grease your Sway Bar bushings!

[BajaRon]

A customer stopped in at the Maggie Valley Rally complaining that their sway bar, having been installed by their dealer, began clunking after a few hundred miles. I was in the midst of explaining to him that if the bushings are not properly tightened, the install will be fine at first, but as everything settles in, this clunk can begin later.

There were several people gathered around listening the the conversation. I assume curious as to the reason for, and solution to, the problem. One of those people in the group spoke up saying, "You need to grease your bushings. That will cure the problem." When I attempted to explain that you should never grease our bushings, and the reasons why, he repeated his advise a little louder and walked away. One member of the group actually attempted to explain to him that he was talking to the man who designed and builds the BajaRon sway bar. But it was no use and he gave up.

I would have much preferred a civil dialog with the guy.

Please, do not grease your bushings. This also goes for OEM and, as far as I know, every other manufacturers sway bar bushings for the Spyder, Ryker or Canyon..

I know there is a video on the Internet where a guy proclaims that greasing your bushings is the best solution. And I assume that it might work initially. But there are several reasons why this is not a good idea.

1. Grease will attract foreign materials, dirt, dust, and fine particles. These will mix with the grease and create an abrasive. This mixture will begin to eat into the bushing and the powder coating on the steel bar. Once the powder coat is gone, your bar will begin to rust. With the increased gap between components, the clunk will return. Then you will need to replace both the bar and the bushings to correct it.​
2. Tightening the bushing bolts to their correct tension will permanently correct this problem.​

The Delrin material we use for these bushings is self lubricating. We have never had an ungreased set wear out.

I hope this helps.

 

[weeneil]

@BajaRon, When I was an electrician, I often gave people free advice, but very often a "smarter" man would say different, making me wonder why we bother at all?!

 

[BajaRon]

@BajaRon, When I was an electrician, I often gave people free advice, but very often a "smarter" man would say different, making me wonder why we bother at all?!

We can only tell people the truth. What they do with it is up to them.

Don't stop.

 

[MNBK]

My wife and I attended an over 55 driving class. I had 34 years of Law Enforcement experience. We had an "expert" in the laws of Minnesota that sat in front of me during the class. He admitted that he was a self employed handyman. It was amazing that he was so well educated (?) in the laws. After several questions he answered wrong, I was asked for the answer. I stated that we should ask the expert first and then I'll give the correct answer.

There's always one in the crowd that is smarter than everyone else.

 

[Raven]

I think I worked with that guy.
He might have been my boss.

 

[Bfromla]

& yet never present when facts are displayed

 

[Yowzer]

My wife and I attended an over 55 driving class. I had 34 years of Law Enforcement experience. We had an "expert" in the laws of Minnesota that sat in front of me during the class. He admitted that he was a self employed handyman. It was amazing that he was so well educated (?) in the laws. After several questions he answered wrong, I was asked for the answer. I stated that we should ask the expert first and then I'll give the correct answer.

There's always one in the crowd that is smarter than everyone else.

It’s too bad all the people who really know how to run the country are busy driving cabs.
- George Burns

 

[mbranscum]

Don't confuse him with the facts. He's already made up his mind.

He also may be wrong but never in doubt.

 

[BajaRon]

All of us have been 'Wrong' from time to time. That definitely includes me. I intend to reveal a huge, stupid mistake on my part in the "Lamonster Chronicles" thread at some point. Not that I enjoy admitting to my blunders. But it's something that we both remember vividly, and Lamont forgave me for it... I think.

But when we stop listening to the other man's side of the issue, regardless of how much we may disagree with it. We place ourselves in a very bad position. Because no one was born knowing it all. And neither shall we ever arrive there. But showing respect and considering the other person's perspective will certainly move us in the right direction.

We seem to have moved into a world where people get angry, even violent, if someone disagrees with them. I'd like to see us move back from this tendency.

Learning how NOT to do something can be as important as finding out HOW do do it right. I'm still learning. I hope you can say the same.