Caterham gauge gaskets?

[Alaskossie]

Just happened to think of a minor point, but has anyone else become terminally frustrated with the tiny square cross-section rubber gaskets or large O-rings that Caterham furnishes with their Caerbont round gauges, to go between the dash and the gauge?

 

It is almost impossible to get the O-rings to lie flat without twisting, and being rubber, they crack and perish, and dangle from the dash after about 6 months. What a ridiculous way of mating the gauge to the dash panel....

 

Has anyone made up their own round neoprene O-rings to substitute for these worthless things? Any other suggestions?

[slomove]

Why use a gasket anyway? There is nothing behind the dash that would not get wet from below if you have really water mist wafting all over (e.g. driving behind a big rig in heavy rain). It never occurred to me that I should use a gasket when I made my dash. If you really think you need it I would consider a tiny bead of RTV.

[Alaskossie]

Gert,

 

I think the gaskets are there for cushioning, and to make a neat join or transition between dash and gauge (if the gaskets work correctly).

 

Certainly neater that RTV would be, in my hands.

[scannon]

Tom,

 

That speedometer I got from you has a round cross section gasket and is still in good shape after 7 years and 24k miles. You could replace your gaskets with O-rings and get the cushioning effect and seal.

[ihckb2]

I agree, replace with round ones, but be careful on what material they are made of. I have had cheap ones crack and fall apart after a year, pay the price and save yourself some headaches later. Any gaskets meant for gas or oil seem to be the best, avoid the bargain store kind.

[robolt]

For o-rings material is important.

nitrile rubber does not have the longest service life.

flurosilicone is pretty good.