Rubber Lever End Thingies

[2017EX_imp]

Apologies if this has been said previously in this Loooong thread. Rubber softens and becomes more elastic heated in boiling water. First look at the opening in the RLET, It is somewhat "D" shaped. The straight portion of the "D" fits the back side of the lever. Boil the RLETs in a small pan, and carry the hot pan out to near your bike. Apply warm soapy water to the ball of the lever. Catch the straight portion of the "D" opening on the back side of the lever ball end ( wear gloves because of heat and to provide friction while pushing against the rubber ). Holding the back side in place with one hand, work the front ( rounded portion of the opening in the RLET ) around the ball with the other hand. Once the RLET stem is past the ball, a little tweaking to get position on the lever end aligned. After doing one, you may have to re-heat to do the other.

The soapy water lubricant will evaporate and dry without harming the rubber. Grease, WD-40, or anything chemical/petroleum based will not evaporate, and may interact with the rubber over time, so I would not use anything to lube except soapy water.