You may not have been careful enough in your choice of contact cleaner. It's easy to get one that's a cleaner and killer degreaser that, as you say, flushes out any lube. I always go for the cleaners that have added lubricant.
Looks like I’ve got the next owner for my 78 4WD wagon. So next Saturday I’ll be cutting my old faithful companion free. Then I’ll be without any 1970’s Subarus.
Sad but there’s good logic behind it all. And I’m sure I’ll be back when the time is right.
So many great memories and stories. This wagon was a true hero to my young family back about 17 years ago.