# Lube for strut/spring reassembly **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [September 18, 2014, 8:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lube-for-strut-spring-reassembly/87254 "2014-09-18T20:11:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mystic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@mystic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mystic)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 8:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lube-for-strut-spring-reassembly/87254/1 "2014-09-18T20:11:16Z")
I’m going to be replacing a rear strut on my car so I’ve been reading up on the procedure in my repair manual. It says to apply ‘‘rubber lubricant’’ to the rubber bumper contact surfaces & to the upper insulator contact surfaces when reassembling. I was thinking maybe silicone spray would work but I’m not sure. What do you guys think, could I just use any type of lube that is rubber-safe… or is there a specific product that should be used? ---
**Author:** ![mystic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@mystic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mystic)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 11:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lube-for-strut-spring-reassembly/87254/2 "2014-09-18T23:57:20Z")
So maybe a lubricant isn’t even needed? I imagine a lot of people here have done quite a few strut replacements… you didn’t find it necessary to lube the bumper contact surfaces or the insulator contact surfaces of the strut/spring assembly? ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2014, 12:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lube-for-strut-spring-reassembly/87254/3 "2014-09-19T00:20:39Z")
Don’t do that. They are not meant to be lubed. If you insist, use a silicone based lube so you don’t rot the foam or rubber bumper. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2014, 12:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lube-for-strut-spring-reassembly/87254/4 "2014-09-19T00:24:00Z")
Most people don’t lube them but it’s not a bad idea. What I use is a product called K-44 which is manufactured by Kent. It’s a silicone paste designed to protect rubber products. [http://www.lawsonproducts.com/Kent/K-44-Silicone-Lubricant/KT13610.lp](http://www.lawsonproducts.com/Kent/K-44-Silicone-Lubricant/KT13610.lp) It’s a bit pricy but a small canister of it will go a long way. The canister I have is several decades old and the bottom hasn’t been scraped yet although it’s close… If you don’t want to go that deep into you can probably use a tube of spark plug boot grease and accomplish the same thing. The K-44 is a heavier, thicker substance though. ---
**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2014, 12:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lube-for-strut-spring-reassembly/87254/5 "2014-09-19T00:26:13Z")
I have replaced my own struts several times and was never advised to use a lubricant. But if you must, silicone lubricant will do. ---
**Author:** ![mystic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@mystic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mystic)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2014, 12:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lube-for-strut-spring-reassembly/87254/6 "2014-09-19T00:40:59Z")
Good info. Thanks guys ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2014, 1:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lube-for-strut-spring-reassembly/87254/7 "2014-09-19T01:13:21Z")
Sounds a lot like the silicone lube you can get at a swimming pool supply store, meant for the rubber O-rings, etc. Fairly cheap, too. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2014, 1:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lube-for-strut-spring-reassembly/87254/8 "2014-09-19T01:46:17Z")
Silicone lube would be my choice. ---
**Author:** ![knfenimore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9fc348/32.png) [@knfenimore](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knfenimore)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2014, 5:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lube-for-strut-spring-reassembly/87254/9 "2014-09-19T17:29:04Z")
I use this on all bushings and anything rubber under the car. Water will not wash it off and it does not attract dirt and get all sticky. Wurth HHS-2000 / HHS-K Penetrating High Temperature Lubricant