Squeaky Control Arm Bushings

[NoLifeForm]

Hi guys, This is my first post but, I have been reading this forum for a while now. I have a 2002 X with Calmini Suspension lift and a 3in. body lift. I'm running 32x11.5-15 BFG AT's. My problem is this upper control arm bushings squeak bad. I spray them with a silicone spray and it might last a week. I'm looking for suggestions for a more permanent fix.
Has any body drilled and tapped grease fittings in the control arms? Any suggestions will be appreciated. If you guys have discussed this before, sorry, I could not find it in my search. Thanks

[xjoeharperx]

You might want to look around and see if anyone makes a neoprene bushing for your car.. You can take them out and coat them with white lube..(graphite based grease) but im not sure if it will stay there a long time being in the wheel well..Putting grease fittings in the arm night not be a bad idea..

[OffroadX]

Calmini offers some updated black (vs. the original white) bushings that are better, but not perfect squeak-wise.

[Schludwiller]

Originally Posted by OffroadX

Calmini offers some updated black (vs. the original white) bushings that are better, but not perfect squeak-wise.

OffroadX, do their new a-arms have zerk fittings now like the SLR ones? ChuckH who has the old Calmini bushings just lubed the crap out of his and hasn't had much squeaking now. Noise is a problem with the Calmin's though. You're not alone.

[OffroadX]

Dunno if the arms have zerks in 'em now or not. Not sure how effective they might be if they do, the zerk will only get grease between the arm and the bushing, but not between the bushing and sleeve or sleeve and bolt. I'm not sure where the actual motion is supposed to take place and what really needs the grease.

[ChuckH]

They don't have zerks in them. I think the concensus has been that the zerks still wouldn't be able to get the grease where it needs to be unless you put two zerks in each arm so Calmini went to a Vecton bushing instead of Delrin. The fit of the Delrin bushing in the arm is very tight and getting thick grease to penetrate and spread out in there would be difficult or impossible. I believe the Vecton is impregnated with grease or something? I will probably replace mine eventually with the new bushings, but until then I've just been spraying Tri-Flo lubricant in mine every 3 months or so as part of my regular maintenence (not much different than greasing through a zerk every few months). Tri-Flo is a Teflon lube that is thin and will saturate and get into the bushings really well, but has good staying properties. You can find it at most bicycle shops.

Delrin was originally used because it's extremely durable and doesn't allow slop in the components like standard bushings. Delrin is mostly used in high performance car applications, such as for track use for those reasons, but it's not an easy material to lubricate.