Treating suspension bushings?

[SpatiallyAware]

I've never read about this online, but my dad always used to spray his suspension bushings with armorall, then wipe dry.

Armorall is an overall rubber/plastic treatment, so I can see where this logic comes from.

However, I've never read anything online about this or any other treatment for suspension bushings. Thoughts?

 

[jagec]

Complete waste of money. I'm sure that his suspension bushings were the prettiest ones on his block, though.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Complete waste of money. I'm sure that his suspension bushings were the prettiest ones on his block, though.

What are you basing this off of?

Armor all definitely does help the longevity of rubber.. Tires, etc, anything rubber will last much longer before dry rotting.

Most suspension bushings crack from age, it seems viable that an occasional soak with armorall would help prevent that.

 

[jagec]

What are you basing this off of?

Armor all definitely does help the longevity of rubber.. Tires, etc, anything rubber will last much longer before dry rotting.

Most suspension bushings crack from age, it seems viable that an occasional soak with armorall would help prevent that.

I dunno, I've heard that Armorall can actually cause rubber to crack over time. One of their former employees file a whistleblower lawsuit about that. I'm just not sure that I'd trust it as a protectant.

 

[exdeath]

Rubber is the wrong material for suspension parts to begin with.

Best treatment is delrin and UHMW urethane in a street car, heim joints in a race car.

 

[JCH13]

Armorall seems... silly. But it might do okay.

What rubber needs is something to seal it up from outside air and prevent VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from evaporating. I would use a rubber and plastic safe grease or oil and be done with it. Synthetic grease, mineral oil, white lithium grease spray, some silicone sprays, etc should all do a decent job at blocking air from reaching the bushing and keeping VOCs from evaporating.

 

[jupiter57]

I always use WD-40, keeps any squeaks from starting, repels water, and seems to help them last longer.

As for Urethane bushings, I put some on a Ford Ranger many years ago & they cracked the metal in several places where they connected (Heavy Off-Road use). Think I'll just stick to stock rubber from now on!