thanks all for your replies.

i have now been told that they were claimed to be an impregnated style
bearing. Based on everyones responses,
I am moderately confident that it is not likely to be an 'exotic' lubricant,
so i expect it will wash out with an ordinary type solvent, and just
straight sewing machine oil will do.

(i have also tracked down a suggestion to try heating it with hair dryer/hot
air gun/ for a little while. I guess this would help an impregnated bearing
leak a bit of oil out onto the bearing surface to wash and relube.
A sewing machine mechanic suggested 'Prolon' a 'foaming teflon spray oil
used for turbos- but i cant locate anything like that.)

regards

russ

this one, and i think also the other, gets stuck in reverse. When opened,
i
can return it to forwards by applying a moderate amount of assistance to
the
spring return, but there is no way it will return by itself. This machine
has 'lifetime lubrication' so there is no way to add oil. The action is
smooth, but stiff.
snip

I have heard/rumor that they use Teflon bearing surfaces.
Don't know how this would be done. The machine (Husqvarna)
that I've stuck my nose into looked much the same as any
other that needs lube. I did use some Singer Sewing Machine
oil in this same machine (most any store carries this, try
the Walmart sewing area). As far as I can tell it didn't
have any ill effects. It really bothered me to see all the
dry bearing surfaces in it...