So, because the stock front sway bar bushings tend to squeak if you drive in cold weather, and when exposed to salt from the roads, I thought I should do something about it. While you can get greasable bushings in the right size for the Sly Redline/Solstice GXP, you can't get them with the grease fittings in the caps. So I figured I would do it myself. The following is a tutorial on how.
First you need the right tools and parts. In this case a 1/8" drill bit, a #7 drill bit, Drill, Appropriate tap, loctite (I used red for strength), Zerk fittings with a short thread, and the right bushings. I got mine from Summit Raceing for only $15.99.
First, the originals must come off. You can see where I greased them about a month ago.
Remove the cap with a 13mm socket. Then remove the old rubber bushing at the split.
Punch the cap to keep the drill from roaming. Make sure you are dead center to align with the internal grease groove.
You can see the dimple here.
Drill first with a small drill, it is much easier.
Then the #7 drill.
Align the bottom of the bushing with the metal cap.
Drill the bushing through the cap.
Note the alignment with the hole and the grease groove.
Chamfore the hole so the grease fitting will center itself.
Tap the hole with the 1/4" tap.
Completed threaded hole.
Use a little loctite to ensure the Zerk fitting stays put.
It only takes a drop on the threads.
Install.
Note how it protrudes? No worries, the bushing is plenty thick enough.
Install the bushing and check alignment. I purposely drilled offset to make greasing the nipple on the car easier.
Plenty of clearance.
Install the bushing on the sway bar. Make sure you orient the bushing so the hole is in the right spot with the cap.
Complete the install.
Add grease. Note that I did not add grease to the inside of the bushing before install. You can if you like, but it will be messier.
You can see here that the grease will squeeze out as you pump it through the Zerk fitting.
All done. It took about 45 minutes start to finish, longer to do this tutorial.
There is no squeaking, and it might even handle slightly better.
Hope you found this interesting.
Jim
