sway bar bushings

[jaulette]

Can I grease the sway bar bushings or do I have to replace them?

Thanks,
Joe

[shorod]

I'm not sure what year Explorer you are asking about, but I don't think it matters. I don't believe any of the model years have grease fittings on the sway bar bushings. However, there's nothing saying you can't remove them and apply a thin coating of grease, then reassemble. That will at least help you determine if they are noisy.

Care to share why you want to grease them? Is it just for preventive maintenance, or are you trying to track down a noise or concern?

-Rod

[jaulette]

Hi Rod,

Thanks for the reply. It's a 99 Explorer. The reason for asking has to do with an e-bay buy and the vehicle description. The seller stated in his description, "A SQUEAK IN THE FRONT SWAY BAR BUSHINGS(A TYPICAL EXPLORER NOISE). He further stated, "WE LUBED THE SWAY BAR BUSHINGS".

long story short...because the squeak was so pronounced my wife could hear me coming down the street, I took the Explorer to a mechanic and he replaced the lower ball joints. No more squeak...

I just wanted to know if one could actually lube the bushings.

The moral of the story boys and girls...be very, very careful when buying a vehicle thru e-bay. If you need more incentive see my other thread a few down entitled Fuel Pump Strainers.

On a much happier note- when all is said and done, I love driving the Explorer.
I came from a full size van and wanted a mid-size suv. My wife has the Expedition so it took a while getting used the smaller version. But the savings on gas with the 6 cyl is great.

Thanks,
Joe

[Johnny Mullet]

Swaybar bushings make a squeak noise on a bounce. Ball joints squeak on a turn of the wheel.