Greasing Sway Bar Bushings – What Lube to Use

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A squeaking sway bar bushing can be quieted with the right lubricant, but using the wrong grease makes the problem worse. Petroleum-based sprays degrade rubber, silicone grease dries slowly and lasts, and polyurethane bushings need their own special lube. Knowing which product to use on which bushing saves money and prevents the squeak from coming back in a week.

What the driver feels

A squeak over small bumps, especially in cold weather.
A creak that fades as the car warms up.
A noise from the subframe area.
Dry, hard-looking rubber on the old bushings.
A squeak that comes back after a week of driving.
Cracked rubber on the bushings.
A clunk that appears alongside the squeak.
The car sees mostly city driving on rough streets.

Matching lube to bushing material

Rubber bushings need a rubber-safe lubricant. On a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla, the sway bar rubs against the inside of the rubber bushing as the bar twists. A thin layer of silicone grease on the inside of the bushing lets the bar slide quietly. Petroleum-based products like WD-40 or white lithium grease break down the rubber over time, which makes the bushing crack faster.

Polyurethane bushings need a different lube. On a Subaru WRX or off-road truck, poly bushings are harder and squeak more easily. They require a polyurethane-specific grease, which is usually included with the poly bushing kit. Using regular silicone grease on poly wears off quickly, and the squeak returns within weeks.

How to grease the bushings

Identify the bushing material: rubber or polyurethane.
Buy the correct lube: silicone grease for rubber, poly lube for poly bushings.
Never use WD-40, white lithium grease or petroleum jelly on rubber bushings.
With the car on a lift, pry the sway bar away from the bushing and work grease into the gap.
Coat the inside of the bushing and the surface of the sway bar where it contacts the rubber.
Safety note: Work on a cold exhaust, because the sway bar sits close to the downpipe.
Wipe off excess grease to avoid attracting dirt and road dust.
Road test on a rough road to confirm the squeak is gone.

Re-lube interval

Re-lube rubber bushings once a year, or whenever the squeak returns.
Re-grease poly bushings at every oil change or whenever they start to squeak.
If the squeak comes back within a week of greasing, the bushing is cracked and needs replacement.
Always use the correct lube for the bushing material to avoid degrading the rubber.
After greasing, wipe off the excess to keep dirt from sticking.