Rear sway bar...

[03.5msprotege]

I believe that with the warmer weather we have been having lately, the rear sway bar has started to squeak. Under cornering load, light load on the suspension, light acceleration I can notice this squeaky noise.
So, what do you recommend to lube the sway bar bushings? Are the bushing poly or rubber?
thanks for the info.

 

[Rally Ninja]

I changed my bushings with SU ones.. they said it was like the same as the AWR ones. I just used a lot of lithium grease. I think they are poly.

 

[eddiejoe56]

Buy either the Street Unit or AWR replacement polyureathance bushings.
Install them over a couple of wrap layers of teflon plumbers tape.
Then buy two 20-mm shaft collars from McMaster Carr and install on each end against new bushings.
This is what I did last August and they have been silent since. The teflon tape lasts a lot longer than any grease.

 

[eddiejoe56]

Buy either the Street Unit or AWR replacement polyureathan bushings.
Install them over a couple of wrap layers of teflon plumbers tape.
Then buy two 20-mm shaft collars from McMaster Carr and install on each end against new bushings.
This is what I did last August and they have been silent since. The teflon tape lasts a lot longer than any grease.

 

[eddiejoe56]

Buy either the Street Unit or AWR replacement polyureathane bushings.
Install them over a couple of wrap layers of teflon plumbers tape.
Then buy two 20-mm shaft collars from McMaster Carr and install on each end against new bushings.
This is what I did last August and they have been silent since. The teflon tape lasts a lot longer than any grease.

 

[03.5msprotege]

where do I find these awr bushings and how much? I'm new to the mazda scene and can't really find any aftermarket part suppliers.
thanks for the help.

 

[Rally Ninja]

Most of our sponsors should have them.

 

[Blaznmsp]

how hard is it to replace the rear bushing b/c im having the squeak problem to and want to replace them but im no car expert. can anyone point me in the right direction? tks

 

[greasemonkey524]

how hard is it to replace the rear bushing b/c im having the squeak problem to and want to replace them but im no car expert. can anyone point me in the right direction? tks

I replaced mine last weekend and they weren't all that bad to do. You need to jack the back end of the car up and there are two 14mm bolts for each bushing. I had the most trouble with the passenger side top one because of the exhaust. I have the GHL so I don't know if the stock exhaust gets in the way. I had a buddy pull the exhaust out of the way as i did it. They were kind of a PITA to loosen so soak them pretty good with penetrating oil. I also put anti seize on the bolts in case I need to change them again. Hope this helps!

 

[Blaznmsp]

so u can take the bushings off and put new ones on with out having to take the bar that their on off?

 

[greasemonkey524]

Yes you can. It really isn't all that bad. Just make sure to lube the new bushings up real good.

 

[Blaznmsp]

Yes you can. It really isn't all that bad. Just make sure to lube the new bushings up real good.

cool. thanks for the help

 

[fr0st]

teflon tape eh??

im gonna try that next time..

i got some pink teflon (fuel/oil resistance)
might be nice.

 

[03.5msprotege]

Awesome. Is it really worth it to change the bushing for the awr/su units? I'm in canada and the shipping is as much as one of the parts.
It really is my wifes car and she enjoys driving it so is the benefit worth the cost?

The poly bushings will help stiffen up the rear end right?
thanks for the info.

 

[warrier04]

i replaced mine with the SU bushings because mine - for the third time - were drastically squeaking.

install was straight forward, but it's just a matter of how well you can manuver a socket wrench in the right position to get to the two bolts on each side.

since the install, not a peep from the rear end. don't know about any extra stiffening, though ..

 

[Mustard97]

i just lube my stock ones every year, normal maint thing for the speeds hehe

 

[thrilhouse]

Any advice about type/brand of lube to use on the bushings? Do you need to remove the bushings to lube them? I just bought an 03 MSP and am loving it but the squeaking is unbearable and any small motion of the rear suspension and the sway bar starts squaking.

When I had the car safetied the garage lubbed them up for me but I have no idea exactly what they did and 3 days later it went from completely quiet to loud squeaking.

 

[greasemonkey524]

I just used Permatex grease and yes you need to take them off to lube them. I tried spraying them with penetrating oil and silicone spray but it would only last for a day or two.

 

[thrilhouse]

I haven't had a good look at how the bushings are attached to the sway bar / body but I just got new bushings in the mail. Can I prop one side of the car up at a time to do this change or do both wheels have to be hanging free for the change? I was actually thinking about drivng the back end up onto a tall sidewalk and sliding under the car since I don't own a decent jack.

 

[fr0st]

buy some urethane bushings from a vendor... i bought a set of SU and put some white litium grease.. enevr heard the squeek again..