Google ads ftw!

[GeoffM]

In my talks with GM engineers (They're abundant where I live) they've expressed excitement at the new bushing style (Polyurethane). I mentioned that it's another maintenance item that'll need to be greased. They've told me the new ones don't need to, but failed to tell me why.

Here's where Google ads comes in. When I was commenting on a Prothane thread here, it suggested a company that advertised permanently greases-less composite bushings.

The company:
http://polygoncomposites.com/product...osite-bushings

I just thought it was neat and wanted to share

[wildBill83]

I don't need to grease my polyurethane bushings yearly...

I never have on any of my on or off road vehicles.

And poly bushings are not all that new...

I just use the recommended grease on installation and any time the parts are serviced grease again before re-installation.

EDIT: Also that link for composite bearings has nothing to do with polyurethane bushings, composite bearings usually are either oil impregnated metal, PTFE sleeved, or graphite porous impregrnated metal and are not flexible like polyurethane. They use it on hinge pins for dump trucks and other high force pivots that require no flexing. I would never use them on suspension components.

[AAPOQ]

Might not be new technology, but its still pretty cool...

[wildBill83]

Just to clarify, a bushing is not a bearing. They do different jobs. Your post is about bushings and the link is to bearings, so apples to oranges there m8.

[toycar]

Just to clarify, a bushing is not a bearing. They do different jobs. Your post is about bushings and the link is to bearings, so apples to oranges there m8.

Read the link and you'll see that the DO bushings as well.

I dont think anyone posting in this thread thinks bearings are bushings, but thanks for clarifying

[GeoffM]

In my OP:
New GM cars are coming stock with poly bearings. That's what I was referring to.

I had to regrease my front lower control arms in the back. The bolt had seized again, so I just put a bunch of grease on top of the bushing. Ended up working great
My upper control arms in the back were also devoid of any grease, but everything in the front still has plenty

[wildBill83]

Read the link and you'll see that the DO bushings as well.

I dont think anyone posting in this thread thinks bearings are bushings, but thanks for clarifying

But they DON'T do flexible bushings like what is in your car, they do bearing replacement bushings... Thanks for, as you say ... "flogging" the thread.

In my OP:
New GM cars are coming stock with poly bearings. That's what I was referring to.

I had to regrease my front lower control arms in the back. The bolt had seized again, so I just put a bunch of grease on top of the bushing. Ended up working great
My upper control arms in the back were also devoid of any grease, but everything in the front still has plenty

What kind of grease are you using? How did you apply the grease? What environment do you drive in? These can play a roll, but it is strange that they seized up.

Also most GM cars have grease zerks for maintenance on their bushings, so lubing them is less painful than on your Honda.

[toycar]

What kind of grease are you using? How did you apply the grease? What environment do you drive in? These can play a roll, but it is strange that they seized up.

Well in the rest of the country, where stuff like snow happens, the salt and shit they put on the roads eats away any lube on any bushing over time.


I grease mine as needed, and I live in NE. It is needed to help with wear and tear.

[GeoffM]

What kind of grease are you using? How did you apply the grease? What environment do you drive in? These can play a roll, but it is strange that they seized up.

The bolt seized, not the bushing. That bolt seizing is common.
The bushings ran dry, so they started squeaking.

Mostly highway driving, around 100 miles per day. Average 90 mph.
I think it was silicone grease, but it was only labeled as Prothane bushing grease. I applied it when I was assembling the bushings. Straight to the bushing itself, either using a quetip or my gloved hand. I often ended up with excess that I had to wipe away.

[GeoffM]

Also most GM cars have grease zerks for maintenance on their bushings, so lubing them is less painful than on your Honda.

I have some grease fittings on mine, but not for my bushings. They aren't stock, so I wouldn't expect a stock grease fitting.
The engineer said they didn't need to be greased, so I assumed they used a new type of grease. It could be something like the link I showed though.

[wildBill83]

Well in the rest of the country, where stuff like snow happens, the salt and shit they put on the roads eats away any lube on any bushing over time.


I grease mine as needed, and I live in NE. It is needed to help with wear and tear.

I use to live in MN, they salt their snowy roads there. I'm no stranger to that. I guess my grease was more resistant to that environment.

The bolt seized, not the bushing. That bolt seizing is common.
The bushings ran dry, so they started squeaking.

Mostly highway driving, around 100 miles per day. Average 90 mph.
I think it was silicone grease, but it was only labeled as Prothane bushing grease. I applied it when I was assembling the bushings. Straight to the bushing itself, either using a quetip or my gloved hand. I often ended up with excess that I had to wipe away.

Oh, seized bolts stink. FSM recommends replacement of bolts when doing maintenance and using anti-sieze. You may try white lithium grease next time on the bushings.

I have some grease fittings on mine, but not for my bushings. They aren't stock, so I wouldn't expect a stock grease fitting.
The engineer said they didn't need to be greased, so I assumed they used a new type of grease. It could be something like the link I showed though.

The problem is that the bushings in your car provide dampening from shocks, those composite bearings will get damaged from shocks and provide no dampening. I seriously doubt they would try and make a new car ride rougher than a model T.