24 replies to this topic

[Rubbershorts]

Hi all. Is it possible to purchase a better set of rear lights rubber gaskets than are being sold in the general market at the moment. I fitted brand new Minispares offerings about a year ago and already they are badly cracked. I learnt too late that if the original rubbers are okay, re-use them. Any ideas?

 

Daz.

[68+86auto]

Depending on if you want it to look 100% original, you could make your own. You could even just use strip caulk. 

[Aridgerunner]

I installed a set of those from Minispares about a year ago. I sprayed them with Armorall before installing them. They still look good. We shouldn't have to do that but it seems as though it helped.

Getting good quality rubber parts has become a problem for almost all classic cars.

[m1n1]

Mine are 3 years old and cracking up too.  Not good considering its not out in the sun or outside much :/

[Rubbershorts]

Mine are 3 years old and cracking up too.  Not good considering its not out in the sun or outside much :/

1 year and garaged most of the time. They're only cheap to buy but what a faff to move the tank just to change the surround.

[m1n1]

Indeed!  The same happened to the handbrake boots, and the car never made it out of the garage before they disintegrated, so its not the sun/uv..    I think its something in the atmosphere, ozone or something attacking the rubbish rubbers.

[Aridgerunner]

I solved that tank removal issue. While the the light housing was out I installed small rivnuts (10/32?) in the holes where the studs go through the brackets in the body. Then I removed those studs from the tail light housing and now can run bolts through holes and into the rivnuts. The housing can now be removed from the body without removing the tank.

Sometimes you just wonder "what were they thinking?"

[Rubbershorts]

I solved that tank removal issue. While the the light housing was out I installed small rivnuts (10/32?) in the holes where the studs go through the brackets in the body. Then I removed those studs from the tail light housing and now can run bolts through holes and into the rivnuts. The housing can now be removed from the body without removing the tank.

Sometimes you just wonder "what were they thinking?"

Okay, that's a beauty. I'll definitely be doing that. Probably not as thief proof, but I'll risk it

[Aridgerunner]

Getting the alignment of the rivnuts to the bolts was a bit of a fiddle but it sure beats removing the tank.

[Rubbershorts]

Getting the alignment of the rivnuts to the bolts was a bit of a fiddle but it sure beats removing the tank.

Was that due to the curve of the panel?

 

Daz.

[Aridgerunner]

Getting the alignment of the rivnuts to the bolts was a bit of a fiddle but it sure beats removing the tank.

Was that due to the curve of the panel?
 
Daz.

No,not the curve of the panel. The rivnuts get inserted into the brackets that the studs originally went through and they are flat. It was a matter of getting the rivnuts in exactly the correct spot. I had drill out that bracket to a hole size that accepted the rivnut. Then when crimping one or maybe two of them I got them a tad out of line. I remember having to drill one back out and installing a replacement. Still, I'd do it all over again (and will on my MKII) because should the unit ever need to be replaced it's now a cake walk. I should have taken pictures.

[Rubbershorts]

Getting the alignment of the rivnuts to the bolts was a bit of a fiddle but it sure beats removing the tank.

Was that due to the curve of the panel?
 
Daz.

No,not the curve of the panel. The rivnuts get inserted into the brackets that the studs originally went through and they are flat. It was a matter of getting the rivnuts in exactly the correct spot. I had drill out that bracket to a hole size that accepted the rivnut. Then when crimping one or maybe two of them I got them a tad out of line. I remember having to drill one back out and installing a replacement. Still, I'd do it all over again (and will on my MKII) because should the unit ever need to be replaced it's now a cake walk. I should have taken pictures.

Ah, got ya. It's a while ago since I had the lights off. I've just looked back at some pictures, and the rivnuts would go on the bracket that is recessed into the boot. Great stuff,cheers Ridge runner.

[stuart bowes]

mental note added, do this  ^^  good call

 

I can't see security being an issue to be honest but you could use security fixings I suppose?

 

 

or similar

Edited by stuart bowes, 08 September 2026 - 10:33 AM.

[Aridgerunner]

I don't think security is much of an issue. In order to remove the assembly you have to first remove the lenses. By then the owner of the car will catch the thief and clobber him!

I hope all goes well for you and maybe you could post some progress pictures for the rest of the world to see.

[stuart bowes]

well yeah I'd probably put the security screws on the lense, not on the inside

 

if I was concerned that someone was going around nicking parts.. which is unlikely