The Haynes manual states to "grease the control arm inner mounting bushings with rubber grease prior to installation in the chassis member". The factory CD doesn't seem to mention this? It does mention lubricating the control arm bushings prior to installing them in the control arm.

Am I reading/understanding this correctly? Wouldn't grease at the chassis member collect dirt and cause wear at the bushings?

Thanks for sharing.

Tinker

Doesn't make any sense!!!

The inner steel sleeve of modern suspension bushings is held firm by the nut and bolt and the outer steel sleeve is an interference fit in the suspension member. All angular motion as the suspension goes through jounce and rebound is accomodated by torsional deflection of the rubber bushing - like twisting an eraser.

There are no sliding surfaces and no need for any kind of lubrication.

In order that the bushings not have any preload strain, the bolts should be torqued with the vehicle at normal ride height. For the same reason a car should NOT be stored on jackstands because this places a preload on the rubber bushings when the suspension is allowed to hang. Cars should be stored on the tires and the tires pumped up to maximum cold inflation pressure and checked and aired periodically. Even if the tires do deteriorate, it is a lot easier/cheaper to replace tires than suspension bushings.

Duke

The purpose of the lubricant is to facilitate installation.

Thanks for clarifying guys.

The more I thought about it, I came to understand exactly what Duke posted.

Tango is correct, the grease is simply to assist in the install. It is interesting to note the Haynes manual makes no mention of utlizing grease on the rear suspension install.

Thanks again guys.

Tinker

Silicone spray lube or dishwashing detergent (no water, just the plain detergent) will make it MUCH easier to get the bushing in. We made a puller for the W115 chassis as they would "bounce" if you tried to hammer them in.

So long as they stay put, lube doesn't matter, except that petroleum based ones tend to soften the rubber badly (and you don't want that).

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Right, they mean for pressing them in. I use white lithium grease from a tub.
Also helps to put them in the freezer, though these bushings drive in without too much difficulty.

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1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.