Tips on Re-Assembling Lenses/Gaskets?

[Jersey]

Does anyone have any tips on how to easily reassemble the turn signal lenses and gaskets? I have a very difficult time getting the chrome rings/lenses reseated in the gasket...maybe its me or the rubber has lost its elasticity.

It takes me about an hour to re-thread the chrome rings/lenses ... am sure someone has an easer way to do this.

Thanks in advance.

Jersey

 

[chickentender]

Does anyone have any tips on how to easily reassemble the turn signal lenses and gaskets? I have a very difficult time getting the chrome rings/lenses reseated in the gasket...maybe its me or the rubber has lost its elasticity.

It takes me about an hour to re-thread the chrome rings/lenses ... am sure someone has an easer way to do this.

Thanks in advance.

Jersey

use some silicone spray

 

[terp83]

Jersey

I recently replaced the rubber boots at all 4 corners of my BT7. The new boots were much easier to work with than the 30+ year old ones that were replaced. I also found it helpful to loosen the entire units slightly away from the body so that I could get my fingers behind the boots while installing the glass lens and chrome ring.

Thanks,

Jerry

 

[Mert]

Try using an artist brush with a thin handle or even a very small straight blade screwdriver. These have worked for me. A metal nail file with a pointed tip will also work.

 

[MikeAH100M]

Old post but I found a new method that combines some of the ideas already posted. I sprayed the rubber with silicone and let it soak. That made the gasket very pliable and lubricated it. I then used the tip of a bamboo chopstick to lever/slip the gasket over the lens and rim. Worked very well and only took me a couple of minutes. By the fourth lens, I was able to slip the gasket on in one motion around the lens. I used the chopstick because I was concerned that metal would damage the gaskets, some of which have cracks already.

 

[andrea]

I follow Jerry and NEW rubber are easy,
then i make one wooden tool (as a screw driver) with Teak very strong wood
but also Mahogany can be good.