Lubing joints without Zirc fittings

[Mtpisgah]

If the control arms are aftermarket, not MOPAR, then they are likely using something other than rubber bushings. Follow the recommendation of the maker/manufacturer of those control arms. They may have a lube they specify or prefer and a time-frame they'd like them lubed at.

(Next time I see my doctor I'm going to ask about grease zerks for my knees and hips. Dang, they are creaking today.)

I checked one time and they said grease for the Zircs, but did not address the non Zirc joints.

They can actually do an injection for cartilage now. I am waiting for an appt for my dr to read my MRI and am going to ask. My knees hurt too.

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[SeanKenmore]

Is there a good cheat sheet to know which points under the JT can be lubed - silicone spray vs grease and keep JT’s life healthy?

 

[WILDHOBO]

Is there a good cheat sheet to know which points under the JT can be lubed - silicone spray vs grease and keep JT’s life healthy?

Typically you should NOT spray lubricant on fixed rubber bushings like on Oem LCAs or swaybar links, just as examples. The spray will break down the bushings and create squeaks and eventual bushing failures.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Is there a good cheat sheet to know which points under the JT can be lubed - silicone spray vs grease and keep JT’s life healthy?

No stock joints should be lubed - and no bushings should ever be lubed. They are made to flex. Replace when bad.
Depending on your use, many of the joints should go many thousands of miles.
Off-road, all bets are off due to extreme pressures and flexing and in those cases, replace with better parts.

 

[KevinM60]

I've been wondering about this myself.
When we're out wheeling I get some creaking on the heavier articulation and wanted to look underneath to see if I could find the source and also if there was anything that needed greasing.
I also hear that same creaking from other vehicles on the trail.
At least now I know beforehand not to worry about looking for zircs the pump grease into

 

[WILDHOBO]

Don't grease rubber bushings!
No, that's bad for the bushing. Anyone who knows suspension and steering will tell you that.

If a bushing squeaks, it's already bad. Rubber bushings twist and distort on the center sleeve and inside the outer sleeve. They don't move on or in the sleeves. Good bushings don't squeak and grease is bad for rubber.



NO! Do not GREASE rubber bushings. My bet is that either something is LOOSE or you have a spring squeak. You can test for a spring squeak with silicone spray. But don't take a bushing joint apart and put anything on it - never use lube on rubber bushings. They are not supposed to move. You'll ruin them.
Rubber bushings only make a sound if they are shot.

Greasing rubber bushings is almost as bad as those who tell others to test an alternator by pulling a battery cable off when the engine is running. both are among the worst of the worst "shade-tree" things that end up destroying, never fixing.

Your bushings are not squeaking -

There is no movement of the rubber unless they are BAD. And if you grease them, you will make them bad.

They are NOT meant to be lubricated -

You will ruin them with grease -

(I figured no one would believe a trained suspension person, so I got support for my comments from the internet)

Bottom line, NEVER grease bonded rubber bushings.
#1 - they don't need it
#2 - it will ruin them
Telling someone to grease them is a bit irresponsible, IMO.

^
THIS. Never ever. Unless you want it to get worse.

 

[WILDHOBO]

The fittings in question on my Jeep are for aftermarket rear control arms, sway bar links, and rear driveshaft.

If they’re rubber fixed bushings, don’t grease them. If they’re squeaking, contact the vendor. The bushings have likely failed.

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