8 replies to this topic

[mvahora]

Is it possible to soften hardened rubber using vegetable oil or something else?

Thinking bumpstops, cones, boots etc.

[r.tec]

Thinking of Grip tyre softener but I suppose only applicable on tyres.

[Spider]

Thinner section rubbers I've had success just putting them in hot water, went from rock hard, ready to shatter, so soft and supple.

Something like rubber cone though, I doubt will soften as they work harden.

[sledgehammer]

Was going to say brake fluid ,

 

but unsure if it will damage the newer lower quality rubber ?

 

also don't use near painted things - ie windscreen  rubber etc

 

solvent tyre lac should be ok - as it shouldn't affect rubber , but temporary softens it ,

But don't soak rubber in it - also avoid painted area's

all the above should be checked on a small area first .

 

as spider says hot water should make it a bit softer .

 

on a slight tangent , when changing track rod ends / swivel joints , ect ,

Check if the old rubber is undamaged - if ok clean it up & keep it - it will probably last longer than the replacement .

At the moment new rubber is rubbish

Edited by sledgehammer, 05 February 2025 - 10:32 AM.

[nicklouse]

Cones, replace. Or if you are adventurous and have the kit and suitable safety equipment.

 

make a tool to hold the cone in a lathe. Then freeze it in liquid nitrogen and machine a different profile. Try to keep pairs the same profile.

 

another option is to mark up some section lines on them. Think oranges. But maybe only 6. Then drill holes through.changing the size of hole will  hinge the spring rate. Is what we did not the front of rear engined Mini based cars.

 

but I would not be doing it on a Mini I would just fit new.

[Stu1961]

Had some success on small items for example ball joint rubbers, think you may struggle with cones and the like and once the rubber has dried out and cracked I would imagine there is little you could do to rejuvenate it. Clean first in soapy water, then place the items in boiling water for a couple of minutes then remove from the water using something like a pair of pliers then plunge the still hot rubber into glycerine and allow to cool. 

[68Deluxe]

I find kerosene has been my go-to for cleaning old windscreen rubbers, it appears to soften them and give back some colour. 
Not sure how it will work on other items. 

[sledgehammer]

sorry - thought he meant the little cones used as bump-stops .

 

not sure anything will soften suspension cones .

Once they've had a car sat on them for years , it's gonna be hard to decompress them .

[whistler]

Best I've heard of was Glycerine. Read this on a Landrover site when talking about reviving sliding window rubbers.