Rubber Bushing Lube

[Jack Klarich]

Sil Glide for bushings

[Gold Rush]

Good INFO Jack! I've used silicone grease and spray on rubber bushings for years.

[LadyonaMission]

Could I put some of that on the rubber grommets that hold the side covers on to make it easier to check the air shocks or would it make them too easy that they wouldn't stay on?

[Jack Klarich]

Could I put some of that on the rubber grommets that hold the side covers on to make it easier to check the air shocks or would it make them too easy that they wouldn't stay on?

YES, IT is a very good lube for ALL rubber, I use it on all my power windows and heater hoses. When I taught break class it was the first item up on display, We had a contract with Napa at the time, it is available every where now

[Gold Rush]

Could I put some of that on the rubber grommets that hold the side covers on to make it easier to check the air shocks or would it make them too easy that they wouldn't stay on?

I don't know about your Freewheeler side covers but I do know Honda GL1800s have a habit of loosing theirs if the grommets are lubricated. I would be VERY CAREFUL putting anything on those grommets.

[Jack Klarich]

I don't know about your Freewheeler side covers but I do know Honda GL1800s have a habit of loosing theirs if the grommets are lubricated. I would be VERY CAREFUL putting anything on those grommets.

Indeed, donot use on these grommets

[vito]

Sil Glide for bushings

That's fine but are they really "bushings" - ie: rubber bearings. The front suspension on older Brit cars used "Hydrolastic" (IIRC) "bushings". These were intended to flex not slip. Unlike a bearing the shaft wasn't supposed to slip inside the bushing. Lubing them caused the shaft to slip, ruining the dampening effect and quickly wearing out the "bushings". I have no idea what H-D uses on the swing are but be sure b4 you lube. Does H-D recommend lubing them??

[Gold Rush]

That's fine but are they really "bushings" - ie: rubber bearings. The front suspension on older Brit cars used "Hydrolastic" (IIRC) "bushings". These were intended to flex not slip. Unlike a bearing the shaft wasn't supposed to slip inside the bushing. Lubing them caused the shaft to slip, ruining the dampening effect and quickly wearing out the "bushings". I have no idea what H-D uses on the swing are but be sure b4 you lube. Does H-D recommend lubing them??

Good Point. Could be similar to a torsion axle... HUMMMMM????

[Jack Klarich]

This lube is NOT a fix all, None are However u use it is up to u, Your Ride U Decide JMO

Dawn Dish Soap works good on Poly Bushings, try it some time. For installing bushings try freezing them this will shrink em, use the correct driver, use lube only if needed during assembly, it will change the sizing by some .0000 +

[rhino 2]

This lube is NOT a fix all, None are However u use it is up to u, Your Ride U Decide JMO

Dawn Dish Soap works good on Poly Bushings, try it some time. For installing bushings try freezing them this will shrink em, use the correct driver, use lube only if needed during assembly, it will change the sizing by some .0000 +

Thats how i installed ''bearings'' in trailer axles .....Freeze them, And you don't have to hammer them in...If i have to install rubber ''Bushings'' , or ''Grommets''... And their a very tight fit i aways use a light coating of White Marine Grease....Note light coating..

Freezing rubber drys them out....

[Jack Klarich]

Thats how i installed ''bearings'' in trailer axles .....Freeze them, And you don't have to hammer them in...If i have to install rubber ''Bushings'' , or ''Grommets''... And their a very tight fit i aways use a light coating of White Marine Grease....Note light coating..

Freezing rubber drys them out....

Not to beat a dead horse, BUT the bushings do mostly survive the freezer, some bushings have an outer skin either metal or another material holding the rubber together, the rubber innards are more affected by heat IE open flame than cold IMO