front suspension bushing installation alternative to liquid soap? Options

[Cvrguy]

The essential question is how the bushings function. Do they regulate suspension movement in shear or are they solely serving a cushioning function? If it is the latter, a high quality non-petroleum based grease should function well while also serving a corrosion resistant role as well. Thoughts?

[Arkady]

I watched a local bicycle shop install rubber(ish) handlebar grips on a mountain bike. They used hair spray. This provided lubrication while sliding the grips over the bar. Soon afterward the 'slipperiness' disappeared and the grip stayed put. So, I tried this method on my bike. Years later it still is securely in place.

Not sure if this is applicable here, though.

[Cvrguy]

I watched a local bicycle shop install rubber(ish) handlebar grips on a mountain bike. They used hair spray. This provided lubrication while sliding the grips over the bar. Soon afterward the 'slipperiness' disappeared and the grip stayed put. So, I tried this method on my bike. Years later it still is securely in place.

Not sure if this is applicable here, though.

Given that the bushings need to be fixed in position, I am looking for a way to increase the "working time" between installation and when the soap dries out. Would glycerin take longer or slower to set up? I'm not confident that the measurements I took prior to removal will be correct once installed. If they are incorrect, I could end up with too high a "bushing" spring rate. I'm curious as to how the factory did it initially.