electrolytic derusting of a bearing?

I have an old (antique, really) scissor jack, maybe from the 1920s or earlier.
It's really very well made and (after a little elbow grease and Kroil) moves
smoothly still. It is driven manually with an Acme threaded shaft. For raising
the load, the shaft has an integral boss which bears on a thrust bearing. This
thrust bearing is heavily built and, after soaking in Kroil, turns still but
to call it crunchy is an understatement. After pricing replacements (in the $20
range) I'm wondering if maybe I can derust this thing chemically somehow. Sure,
its balls are pitted, but this runs very slowly under manual power so howling
isn't an issue. I only know of three ways:
1. direct etching using an acid, which relies on the acid eating the rust faster
than the base metal
2. passive electrolytic derusting using lye and a chunk of zinc
3. active electrolytic derusting using washing soda and electricity
The idea is to be cheap here. I have a variety of containers and all of the
raw materials to do any of these but I'm against #1 because I haven't had good
luck with it. I suppose I could try the old vinegar and salt trick, too.
Ideas?
GWE