sub frame bushing advice
 

Picked up some rear bushings today and I remember the manual mentioning an installation lube. Any one know what that is?

Any other tips?
I've done the bushings on a '86 BMW, can I expect more or less fun from the removal and installation in my '69 230/8? I used heat to help in the removal of the others but I don't think thats possible with this subframe.

TIA
Mark

Mark..

A little LUBE never hurts... ;)

(I'm sorry..I just couldn't resist!!)

~Christy

The only "lube" to use on the rubber parts is glycerine. It makes assembly very easy and doesn't swell the rubber parts.

A little bit goes a long way. I picked up a 4 oz bottle about 10 years back. I've used it on a dozen CAR related jobs since.

-CTH

I bought a jar of petroleum jelly at the dollar store and use it for all rubber installations, grommets, door seals, etc..

Glycerine, is that a drug store thing? I like the sounds of that better than the petroleum jelly, I've seen too many rubber mounts and things very soft from oil deterioration.

Thanks folks. Now I'll just have to see how much I feel like lying on a cold garage floor for most of the weekend.

Mark

Glycerine is most easily picked up at the drug store.

The best thing to do about working on cold cement, is put down a layer of cardboard or other insulator. If you expect to spill gasoline, don't spill it on the cardboard.

Also, be like a professional, use a creeper. They are wonderful at keeping your back clean.

-CTH

I have a creeper but I have really long arms, (I think there chimpanzee in the blood line somewhere) and thats three or 4 inches I could really use. Jacks and jack stands just never get you the height you need to work comfortably. Plus one of the 6 wheels fell off, stripped stud, and I haven't got it fixed yet.

As a side note to the monkey arms thing, at 6'4" I also have to put the car on ramps to work on the engine so I don't have to lean over so much. I've been considering building ramps to drive the whole car onto to make my life easier.

Mark

My understanding is that the lube of choice for these is... talcum powder!

the BEST grease
 

Ok, here's what you do..

Go to your local MB dealer and pick up a can of the "Gleitpaste" (sunroof grease). It's about $17 for a can but it will last you a LONG LONG time. You can use it on many things around the house as well (i.e. garage door tracks, etc..) and it's great for throttle linkage, striker plates, and of course.....sunroof tracks!!

You'll need one of those little acid brushes, so go to a paint store or Home Depot or Loews and stock up, they're cheap!

As for door hinges, I charge my grease gun with MB wheel bearing grease.

Aaron, Is that anything like a waterproof grease or non-curing silicone? I have both, the silicone tube is a DOW product 1-1-1 valve lube, is think meant as a hydraulic valve lubricant not great for any surface that is ever going to need paint, but a useful product anyway.

Mark