Sway Bushing Maintenance

[Qashqai]

This morning, while I was passing over a speed bump I heard a groaning noise from the rear of the car. I made a quick research and I learned that I should lubricate the sway bushings.

When I return back to home I crawl under the car and spray WD-40. The noise is all gone. I don't understand why a car with 15.000 km on it has such an issue.
Anyway, I know that this WD-40 is a temporary solution. I know that this thin silicone will go with the first rain. At one point I have to lubricate the rubbers properly.

My questions:

Can I just unscrew the metal D clamps and remove the rubber (it is already cut) lubricate and put it back?

What type of grease should I use. In one of the forums they say I should use plumbers grease...

Or maybe I can use WD-40 every two-three months. I don't mind crawling under my car.

[ImStricken06]

This morning, while I was passing over a speed bump I heard a groaning noise from the rear of the car. I made a quick research and I learned that I should lubricate the sway bushings.

When I return back to home I crawl under the car and spray WD-40. The noise is all gone. I don't understand why a car with 15.000 km on it has such an issue.
Anyway, I know that this WD-40 is a temporary solution. I know that this thin silicone will go with the first rain. At one point I have to lubricate the rubbers properly.

My questions:

Can I just unscrew the metal D clamps and remove the rubber (it is already cut) lubricate and put it back?

What type of grease should I use. In one of the forums they say I should use plumbers grease...

Or maybe I can use WD-40 every two-three months. I don't mind crawling under my car.

you should use a silicone based water proof grease for poly bushings, not a petroleum based because petroleum based will eat rubber. I have used die-electric grease from any auto parts store.

from the website: "Opaque silicone white gel in a 6 ounce pressurized tube. Non curing compound used for sealing, protecting and electrical insulating. Reduces arcing and voltage drop. Lubricates plastic and rubber."

[Qashqai]

just a quick question: Do you think today with that WD-40 application, I damaged the rubber? Should I clean it tomorrow?

Can I use white lithium grease?

the best way is to remove them and grease them right?

[ImStricken06]

just a quick question: Do you think today with that WD-40 application, I damaged the rubber? Should I clean it tomorrow?

Can I use white lithium grease?

the best way is to remove them and grease them right?

nope, 1 time is nothing. your car drives into greasy puddles all the time during rain fall.
i just wouldnt suggest constant dousing of wd-40.
see wd-40 is a "water displacer" hence why the WD. so its a great way to waterproof something and keep it greasy, but its to thin to last long.
white lithium grease is actually even more corrosive to rubber than wd-40. i really would stick with SILICONE.

think of it like this: when people want to use a lubricant with condoms = they NEVER can use a oil/petroleum based lube because it eats rubber. THEY HAVE TO USE A WATER BASED OR SILICONE lol i know its a strange example, but it works well and everyone understands.

go to a home depot/lowes and get this can

* SAFE FOR: Rubber, wood, plastic, metal and painted areas (From LiquidWrench site and what I've researched)

or get this stuff. i used this just in a small bottle form for the creaking in the shifter bezel

[Qashqai]

Nice example ImStricken! I will never forget that WD-40 is petroleum based!

You are an awesome guy..still laughing!



I will go and buy some a silicone based lubricant tomorrow, but just wondering if I can use high temperature brake disc grease?

[ImStricken06]

Nice example ImStricken! I will never forget that WD-40 is petroleum based!

You are an awesome guy..still laughing!



I will go and buy some a silicone based lubricant tomorrow, but just wondering if I can use high temperature brake disc grease?

who would have thought = nico & sex-ed lol

Silicone-based brake grease is designed for caliper and wheel cylinder assembly work because silicone is an excellent lubricant for rubber and plastic. It is compatible with all rubber compounds. so as long as its silicone based, you will be fine.

[kerrton]

This is a good item to keep in mind because I don't think this is mentioned in the maintenance manual anywhere and I wouldn't expect the dealer to recommend or perform this simple procedure. Instead the normal process would be to wait for the bushings to wear out i.e. start making noise, then replace them. I'd much rather give them a squirt of lube once in a while and extend their life rather than spend the money to replace them - they are a relatively cheap part but I say relatively because you can't have the dealer do much of anything for under $150 bucks which is probably around what this would cost to replace to bushings. My dealer charges around $100 just to replace the silly little paper cabin air filter which anyone can themselves for $5 plus 15 minutes of time!

[Qashqai]

Exactly and I purchased a can of silicone spray and sprayed these two rubber parts. My next plan is to remove them from their brackets, apply a non-petroleum based grease and put them back.

My question is can I just remove the brackets? will it ruin any adjustments? Do I have to lift the car? and what grease should I use???

[ImStricken06]

Exactly and I purchased a can of silicone spray and sprayed these two rubber parts. My next plan is to remove them from their brackets, apply a non-petroleum based grease and put them back.

My question is can I just remove the brackets? will it ruin any adjustments? Do I have to lift the car? and what grease should I use???

i would remove one at a time slowly, and see if your getting hard pressure while doing so. you can use the same silicone spray.

if your getting hard pressure while unbolting, you might need to lift the whole rear off the ground to alleviate the weight or it might spring back at you with force.. i didnt mess with our sway bar yet so i cant picture the design etc.

personally, i would just loosen the bolts enough to squeeze in the straw, spray away and re-secure. i wouldnt take everything off to clean the rubber- its just rubber. it will be dirty in the first rain fall again.

[kerrton]

I agree. I understand you want to keep your new machine working like new and optimize everything, I appreciate that because there are far more people who seem to completely neglect maintenance. However in this case I think this disassembly would be far more work than its worth and offer very minimal benefit, if any. These are basically wear parts that have a predictable lifespan and then need to be replaced. How long they last does depend on driving style, and probably most heavily influenced by how many big pot holes you hit.

If you get 80,000 miles or in the range of 6 years you're doing pretty good, and the good news is these are a relatively inexpensive part. If you're going to spend the effort to disassemble these, you'd be better off to wait a few years, purchase new bushing/end links online and install new ones yourself. There are some good deals to be had online, our former moderator Philipa_240sx changed his a while back and I believe he only paid around $30 a piece, but I'd have to double-check on that price.

[Qashqai]

My concern is my Rogue has 15.000 kms on it and only 13 months old. I enter to only one major pot hole (I am serious. Only ONE, at down town Ottawa). I try not to pass over manholes or other irregular surfaces on the road. Always slow down for speed bumps and If I can try to pass over them diagonally. I am trying to solve that noise issue because I think it is too EARLY to hear such noises from my car (the rubber around the moon roof glass also started to groan on the 6th month. Since then I am using silicone spray to lubricate it). I was planning to drive this car for a long time, but nowadays I seriously think about selling it (especially when the air bag warning light of my wife's seat comes on everyday. She is only 47 kg! and I don't feel comfortable on the highway when that light is on)

My other concern is, I don't trust mechanics. Yes the part is cheap and they can change it, but I am pretty sure they wont tighten its nut or they forget to lubricate or they install in a wrong position...In short, they wont follow the FSM or any other procedures. Please read my post about licence plate attachment. The chief mechanic at the authorized Nissan dealer gave me a white drywall plug when I asked him about the licence plate grommet. How can I trust them to change a cheap rubber part?

[ImStricken06]

My concern is my Rogue has 15.000 kms on it and only 13 months old. I enter to only one major pot hole (I am serious. Only ONE, at down town Ottawa). I try not to pass over manholes or other irregular surfaces on the road. Always slow down for speed bumps and If I can try to pass over them diagonally. I am trying to solve that noise issue because I think it is too EARLY to hear such noises from my car (the rubber around the moon roof glass also started to groan on the 6th month. Since then I am using silicone spray to lubricate it). I was planning to drive this car for a long time, but nowadays I seriously think about selling it (especially when the air bag warning light of my wife's seat comes on everyday. She is only 47 kg! and I don't feel comfortable on the highway when that light is on)

My other concern is, I don't trust mechanics. Yes the part is cheap and they can change it, but I am pretty sure they wont tighten its nut or they forget to lubricate or they install in a wrong position...In short, they wont follow the FSM or any other procedures. Please read my post about licence plate attachment. The chief mechanic at the authorized Nissan dealer gave me a white drywall plug when I asked him about the licence plate grommet. How can I trust them to change a cheap rubber part?

i would NOT worry about the rubber noises. its totally natural and normal - after-all its just RUBBER. my sunroof also makes that weird noise, and its fine. im 100% not worried about it.

whats this issue you have with your airbag, and your wife only being 90lb's?

[kerrton]

My concern is my Rogue has 15.000 kms on it and only 13 months old. I enter to only one major pot hole (I am serious. Only ONE, at down town Ottawa). I try not to pass over manholes or other irregular surfaces on the road. Always slow down for speed bumps and If I can try to pass over them diagonally. I am trying to solve that noise issue because I think it is too EARLY to hear such noises from my car (the rubber around the moon roof glass also started to groan on the 6th month. Since then I am using silicone spray to lubricate it). I was planning to drive this car for a long time, but nowadays I seriously think about selling it (especially when the air bag warning light of my wife's seat comes on everyday. She is only 47 kg! and I don't feel comfortable on the highway when that light is on)

My other concern is, I don't trust mechanics. Yes the part is cheap and they can change it, but I am pretty sure they wont tighten its nut or they forget to lubricate or they install in a wrong position...In short, they wont follow the FSM or any other procedures. Please read my post about licence plate attachment. The chief mechanic at the authorized Nissan dealer gave me a white drywall plug when I asked him about the licence plate grommet. How can I trust them to change a cheap rubber part?

I understand your frustrations and I agree completely. My comments were more from my perspective with my 3-year warranty no longer in tact, but considering you still have bumper-to-bumper comprehensive coverage I agree that if your suspension is making noises on your new car with only 15,000 on the odo you should absolutely mention it to your dealer service department and insist that they correct the issue under warranty at no charge to you. I was also under the impression that a shot of silcone spray lube had corrected your issue, if you still hear noises from your rear suspension this is not right and you should get it looked at, there is a chance it could be another component of your muliti-link rear suspension making noise and requiring warranty replacement - only a thorough inspection and road test by a Nissan technician will tell you for sure.

Our discussion points focussed too much on the details of the maintenance on this particular part, but if you are within your 3-year warranty none of this should be a worry, you should take your Rogue in and have the issue addressed under warranty no questions asked. I would highly recommend you do this and please let us know how things work out.

[TrevorK]

My question is can I just remove the brackets? will it ruin any adjustments? Do I have to lift the car? and what grease should I use???

When removing and reinstalling the sway bar you should do it with the vehicle level and the suspension loaded. Therefore it would be ideal to not lift the car, however if you do you should make sure the suspension is loaded.

[kerrton]

Really good advice from Trevork, thanks a lot.

I've had a very loud knocking from the rear right of the vehicle, getting worse over the past 6 months. Had a difficult time detecting any issues with basic inspection methods, so concluded it must be an internal issue with the shock absorber. So yesterday I picked up a used rear right shock off a low mileage donor Rogue and installed it, took about an hour, very basic, just remove two bolts and the old one is off.

While I was under there I noticed that the left shock was moist with oily residue, so decided to quit being so cheap and ordered the left matching shock.

With just the right shock replaced my knocking noise has decreased by about 90%. Very odd, I would think this would either solve the problem or not solve it, but it seems I have a partial solution. I'm hoping replacing the left side shock will eliminate the rest of the noise.

I have only 70,000 km on my Rogue, and am not happy with the quality of the rear suspension components and/or the weak design. Even from near-new the rear suspension has always been very noisy in the cold temps, combined with no sound deadening material back there whatsoever this is a real issue. Now I have two worn out shocks at a low mileage - so much for quality Nissan OEM. I'm putting used ones on for $25/each, as opposed to almost $100 bucks each plus install the dealer would be charging over $400 buck for two new shocks installed!! Highway robbery I say, and cheaply made parts or a poor multi-link design that causes parts to wear out quickly.

Sway bar bushings feel nice and tight still, so that's a positive, but I haven't ruled out the possibility that they are making noise. I've gotten used to the noises of this vehicle, but my real issue is when it comes time to sell or trade my vehicle in - I don't want to get dinged for worn out suspension and try to explain that "its not worn out, that's how its supposed to sound". Fat chance anyone will believe that, and even if they do it doesn't motivate interest in the vehicle or command good resale value.

[kerrton]

The sway bar end link bushings are the least of your worries.

This multi-link suspension has so many points of potential failure it is just boggling my mind right now. The groaning and knocking from the rear right is still unsolved, but I have ruled out some possibilities. The dealership was completely useless, their master mechanic told me that it could be any number of 10 different parts making the noise, so basically just live with it, everything is tight with no obvious wear, freeplay etc. Local parts yard shop too had trouble finding the source with me.

I have tried:
1)Shock absorber - both replaced with used units from a 2011 Rogue with 30k, noise still there
2) Sway bar end links, removed, drove around with them off but the nosie remains

Next on the list:

3) Upper Link Arm with 2 bushings at mounting/pivot points
4) Lower Link Arm with 2 bushings at mounting/pivot points
5) Coil Spring upper and lower seats
6) Rear Suspension Member Stay (right side)
7) Suspension Bar/Arm and Bracket
8) Wheel Hub - not likely but that's why its at the bottom of the list.

Multi-link suspensions like this sound great on paper, when they're new, but as you get wear parts trying to track down the culprit is a nightmare. As a result, I may give up for a while and let the culprit wear a bit more so hopefully it will be come more obvious. As it stands now, my kids always ask me "what's wrong with the car, what's that noise" as we bang around town. I'm tempted to go buy a new truck with basic leaf spring suspension and call it a day!!

[TrevorK]

I have tried:
1)Shock absorber - both replaced with used units from a 2011 Rogue with 30k, noise still there
2) Sway bar end links, removed, drove around with them off but the nosie remains

Next on the list:

3) Upper Link Arm with 2 bushings at mounting/pivot points
4) Lower Link Arm with 2 bushings at mounting/pivot points
5) Coil Spring upper and lower seats
6) Rear Suspension Member Stay (right side)
7) Suspension Bar/Arm and Bracket
8) Wheel Hub - not likely but that's why its at the bottom of the list.

Multi-link suspensions like this sound great on paper, when they're new, but as you get wear parts trying to track down the culprit is a nightmare. As a result, I may give up for a while and let the culprit wear a bit more so hopefully it will be come more obvious. As it stands now, my kids always ask me "what's wrong with the car, what's that noise" as we bang around town. I'm tempted to go buy a new truck with basic leaf spring suspension and call it a day!!

I think the cheapest solution is to install those DVD players on the headrests to keep the kids entertained and not able to pay that close of attention to the noise

[kerrton]

Best advice I've heard in a long time!!!

[Rogue One]

I think the cheapest solution is to install those DVD players on the headrests to keep the kids entertained and not able to pay that close of attention to the noise

Might I suggest this? http://www.acesdvds.co.uk/index.php?mai ... cts_id=225



DIGITAL HEADREST DVD Players 7" screen Monitors X2 2CH Wireless Headphones X2 Wireless Remote Controls & Game Controllers built-in + Games, with Visor Monitor.

£645.00 (Not available for US market.)