Choke rod problem

[JackA]

I bought and installed a new choke rod with dash grommet and it worked well. When I tried to pull it a few weeks later ir would not budge. Upon dis-assembly, I find that the rubber from the new grommet had migrated to the rod, to the extent that it had to be sanded off. I never heard of a metal to rubber reaction but I guess it is possible.

What should I do? A few ideas are brake fluid, wd-40, or - - ?

Thanks