Honda-Acura.net - ATTN: all those kats who changed out their bushings!!!

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- - ATTN: all those kats who changed out their bushings!!! (https://www.honda-acura.net/forums/92-civic-el-and-del-sol/74041-attn-all-those-kats-who-changed-out-their-bushings.html)

Quote:

Originally posted by CivicSiRacer
Also the ES reds are supposedly not impregnanted with graphite, whereas the black ones are. Wish I would have known that before I bought mine.

pardon my ignorance, but what does that do? I got blacks.

Quote:

Originally posted by white_n_slow
pardon my ignorance, but what does that do? I got blacks.

Come on didn't you study in chemistry? :) Graphite acts like a lubricant and forms a thin layer between parts.

right on. I'm glad I fought that shiny red urge now.:)

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... is this a result of overtightening or do i need to grease wherever the bushing comes in contact with the metal frame?

It is my understanding that all surfaces that will rub against the bushings should be lubed and lubed often. I think the claims that the polyurethane will last longer than the stock rubber are true only if they are cared for as the performance parts they are. There's a CRX website where some guy complains about his bushings wearing out because they dried out and I know someone who had poly bushings that became a little harder at the edges and tore because of lack of lubrication (he said he really liked them up until the tore though). Both people would have been fine if they just continuously lubed their bushings. Unfortunately, you can't just lube them once and forget them for years on end. They have to be maintained. I'd still consider them myself though...

Quote:

Originally posted by CivicSiRacer
Also the ES reds are supposedly not impregnanted with graphite, whereas the black ones are. Wish I would have known that before I bought mine.

If it makes you feel any better, Prothane says graphite doesn't work with bushings. :p

Quote:

What does graphite do? Does PROTHANE have it as well?
Graphite is a soft, black hexagonally crystallized allotrope of carbon. It is used as a lubricant, pencil lead and in paint. In urethane bushings it is an attempt to serve as a lubricant to reduce friction between the pivoting areas. Since it is mixed into the bushing during the initial casting process, only the graphite that is on the surface can perform any job of a dry lubricant, and this only applies to surfaces that have been machined, not cast. Most all bushings, or at least those that move dynamically, require a very low coefficient of friction in order to eliminate heat build up. Graphite alone will not provide enough lubrication, so grease is also required. PROTHANE™ does not use graphite or any other types of fillers as these can detract from the chemical bond of the molecules that are the strength of urethane itself.

http://www.prothane.com/Main_Menu/FAQ_s/faq_s.html

thanks for all the info fellas... keep it up!!!

btw, what kind of lube do you guys use? silicon base, water base (KY.hehe), WD40, etc???

thanks!!! :goodjob:

I used wheel bearing grease.

Heavy duty grease for me. It's made by Amsoil.

I used wheel bearing grease for 90% of it, and CRC grease my friend at Honda used.

valvoline multi-purpose silicon-based automotive grease. Its gooey and red anc comes in a little bucket. The bucket says its good for axles, suspension, bearings, etc..