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Antiseize compounds and suspension squeaking

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59triumphtr3a

Freshman Member
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What differences/experiences has anybody had with preventing urethane suspension bushings from squeaking? Some talk of Copaslip while others talk of other antiseize products. What are the differences between Copaslip and other antiseize compounds? Or in what applications does one use one product over the other. I understand Copaslip has actual copper in it but what does that get end user that non copper containing products don't?
Thanks for a great informative forum
 
59triumphtr3a said:
I understand Copaslip has actual copper in it but what does that get end user that non copper containing products don't?
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I believe normally the copper forms a layer that remains between the surfaces even after the grease has evaporated (due to heat) and helps prevent both corrosion and galling. I use a similar product religiously, and it works great for exhaust system bolts & such.

But maybe (strictly a WAG) in the case of urethane bushings, the copper embeds into the urethane and forms kind of a soft bearing layer? Seems far-fetched to me, more likely the Copaslip just resists water better than most lithium greases and the copper content is purely coincidental.
 
I use Prothane Supergrease, made for their urethane bushings. It's sticky stuff to say the least.
 
Randall for the win!

I too am a big fan of Kopr-Shield (manufactured by Thomas & Betts, nowadays), developed primarily for the electrical industry, but I too use it religiously.

I prefer the copper based anti-sieze to the nickel based stuff, as I feel it does not dry out as much. Dried/caked Nevr-Seize has its own set of problems to deal with!

As for greasing urethane suspension bushings, I could link to several threads on the subject in BMW forums. The concensus is that nothing works longer than a few weeks, or through the first rain. I'm sure that I've seen Copaslip talked about too.

Unless it's a full on racecar, rubber suspension bushings are a better deal. Rubber bushes flex, not rotate during suspension travel, and more likely to need replacement based on age, not mileage. Urethane bushes have to rotate with the suspension, so they're more prone to wearing out. That said, and I don't know why, the MGB Prothane/Prothane lubed bushings in my Healey's lower/inner A-arms do not squeak or creak (the A-arms were modified decades ago to use MGB__straight__bushes, as opposed to the tapered stock rubber bushes).
 
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