I am hoping some of these other guys will pipe in on this. I use the 4g. It has bearings so this problem doesn't happen.
All the attempts I have made on other peoples bikes to solve this problem have been short lived so my experience is lacking at best. I would take some very fine emery cloth to clean up any gouges and lightly coat it with a lube that has high heat resistance, and may be a teflon additive in it.
As to the soaking, that is something I read somewhere. It could have applied to a different type bushing.
I know, not much help there. Still your on the right track so first You should give this thread a little time so some of the others here with a more educated experience of this prob. can help you further. Best of luck.