An Inexpensive Tool For Your Arsenel - Flavor Injector

fireant911 · 04-01-2005, 04:26 AM

I would like to replace my squeaking rubber bushings with Elephant Racing's; however, that is not currently within my budget. During a recent trip to our local Walmart I found this 'flavor-injector' for under $2. It looked as if it had some possibilities so I purchased this item, filled the plunger with Moly-Lube, inserted the needle on the inner diameter of the bushings, and simply injected the lubricant. The squeaking has stopped and this tool has certainly earned a place in my tool box.

I will be breaking off part of the 'needle' since it contains two injection orifices along the length of the needle which creates a weak point - I certainly do not wish to have this portion break off when I am actually lubricating the bushings.

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

I've done something similar with CV's - it's the lazy guy's way of freshening the grease.

ubiquity0 · 04-01-2005, 07:40 AM

Is moly grease ok for factory rubber bushings?

fireant911 · 04-01-2005, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ubiquity0
Is moly grease ok for factory rubber bushings?

Good question; however, I do not know the answer... I based this on the installation instructions for the Weltmeister Rear Sway Bar and that is what they recommended for the bushings - "a good moly-lube".

Zeke · 04-01-2005, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ubiquity0
Is moly grease ok for factory rubber bushings?

If the factory rubber is squeaking, you have issues.

Serioulsy, the rubber is supposed to be bonded both inner and outer surfaces. You don't want grease in there.

fireant911 · 04-01-2005, 09:06 AM

Clarification - I was not referring to the control arm bushings nor the torsion bar bushings / those areas are way beyond my current knowledge level. My terminology was ambiguous - I was referring to the front and rear stabilizer bar bushings for which this tool works great.

Zeke · 04-01-2005, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fireant911
Clarification - I was not referring to the control arm bushings nor the torsion bar bushings / those areas are way beyond my current knowledge level. My terminology was ambiguous - I was referring to the front and rear stabilizer bar bushings for which this tool works great.

No prolem. It's a good idea and could be used whereever there is enough flexibility to get the needle in there. I could even imagine drilling a small hole into some hard to reach parts. The inner rear spring arm bushing some to mind.

Superman · 04-01-2005, 09:53 AM

I've often wondered what is the "special grease" that is sold for use on plastic bushings which tend to squeak. Yes, moly is good grease but there is a special grease that is supposed to keep those bushings quieter longer. Well, the reason I wonder what it is, is because I think it is probably silicon grease. I have a tube (and you should too) of Dow Corning silicon grease. This is the slipperiest stuff in my arsenal. Even after it has been wiped off, the surface it touched is still slick. Dry-slick.

randywebb · 10:00 AM

good idea -- I keep a supply of syringes around in case I need to shoot up (the car).

A pointed needle can also be used to drill a precise hole into a thin fragile material - like a think plastic sheet (I've drilled holes in bird eggs to implant fine wire thermocouples... but somehow I don't see too many of you guys doing that.)

Right s-mon:
The "special grease" appears to be nothing more than regular silicon stopcock grease used in burettes. You can get it cheaply at any chemical supplies house. Or ask you kid in college or high school to steal some for you....

I would NOT use moly -- or any other petroleum based grease -- on anything rubber, including the bushings.