1st Gen R53 Cooper S Sway Bar Grease

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by wzabrouski, Jul 26, 2010.

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  1. wzabrouski

    wzabrouski Active Member

    May 5, 2009
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    What grease should I use to lube my rear sway bar via zerk fitting? Is there something I can pick up at a local auto parts store?


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  2. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

    Jun 24, 2009
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    Marine grease is what I use, supposed to hold up to water well.......and I already have it for the boat trailer.. :)
     
  3. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    Apr 22, 2009
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    I use Energy Suspension's Formula 5 lube... I was able to order an 8oz tube from a local auto parts shop (it was a special order, but only took 2 days) and 'hand packed' it into a grease gun. It's the stuff that ships with the H&R bar that I purchased, but they only give you a 1oz capsule.

    It's massively sticky (I use rubber gloves whenever I use that gun) and once on your hands, takes massive amounts of soap to get it off. I figured that's a good thing
     
  4. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    May 4, 2009
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    I use plain old green lithium crap that's in my grease gun. Never squeeks.
     
  5. k-huevo

    k-huevo Club Coordinator

    May 6, 2009
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    Petroleum based grease will degrade both rubber and polyurethane; over time the bushing will become tacky (more so than the lube) and exacerbate friction, or in the case of rubber, can crack. Use a non-petroleum based synthetic grease for long life. Energy Suspension's lube is appropriate albeit a bit pricey. I use Super Lube with PTFE on just about all applications that don't require a lighter moly or graphite base; besides being bushing friendly, it's high temp resistant.

    [​IMG]
     
  6. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    I'll report when my bushings stop working due to using the wrong grease. Stay tuned. For a long time. ;)

    BTW - that Super Lube is GOOOOOOD stuff... used it decades ago in the bike business and loved it then.
     
  7. Eric@Helix

    Eric@Helix New Member
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    May 4, 2009
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    This stuff seems to last the longest. Many swaybar bushings have zirc fittings to ease the lubing (is that a word?). I recommend removing the bracket and bushing to inspect and clean by hand. It adds a little time to the project but it ensures that you get a good lube between the shaft and bushing (okay, now I'm blushing).
     
  8. quikmni

    quikmni Moderator

    Jun 6, 2009
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