Space Shuttle Putting New Rubber onto Metal Post Issue, How to do it???

OK, we are in the process of cleaning and restoring a nice Space shuttle.
During replacing the rubbers, we came upon a dilemma.

There are several posts with a yellow rubber 5/8" height by 3/4" diameter.
We are having trouble figuring out how to get the new yellow rubber onto the post.
To take off the old rubber we cut a slit lengthwise to get it off.
However we are stumped as to how to get the replacement rubber onto the metal post.

Here is a video on youtube that shows what I am talking about.

Anyone that knows how to get the rubber onto the post, please let us know how to do it.
We need the help.
We tried to jam it on but that didn't work.
We usually come up with solutions but we are stuck on this.

Thanks in advance!!

#2 12 years ago

XXX

Craigmack

Pinside member

12y 42,800 305

Those types of post rubbers are hard to do, and that is why most people never touch them. You can get that new rubber over the post it just takes patience and determination. First apply a little Teflon lube on the lip of the rubber. Stick a small jewelers screwdriver in between the rubber and the post and work the lip of the rubber onto the post. Once you get the lip around the post, you should be able to push all the way on with some force...

Good luck.

#3 12 years ago

KIM

pdman

Inactive member

Craigmack

Thanks for your help.

We kind of tried something similar but didn't want to ruin the yellow rubber.

I guess we'll have to use a brute force method to get it on unless someone chimes in with another solution.

The yellow rubbers were included with the rubber ring kit from Marco.
They really need to be replaced as the ones on there have discolored and are getting brittle.
There are a total of 5 yellow rubbers that need to be replaced.
So yes, we will replace them and get them on the post, hook or crook!!

#4 12 years ago

XXX

Craigmack

Pinside member

12y 42,800 305

The Teflon lube shouldn't stain the rubber if you use just a touch. The key is getting the lip onto that post, after that you are home free.

#5 12 years ago

KIM

pdman

Inactive member

Where can I get the teflon lube?
Is there any particular brand to get?

#6 12 years ago

MST

mystic

Inactive member

I can see this info needed in my near future.. saved.

#7 12 years ago

KIM

pdman

Inactive member

Mystic

Yes Been reading about your Space Shuttle restoration.
I'm having issues with the yellow rubbers getting on to the posts.
Gonna try craigmack's brute force method on Friday .
I'll respond with the results.

#8 12 years ago

ECB

erak

Pinside member

Grimsby, ON

15y 122K 3,749 5 86

You don't need lube, just use spit.

Seriously though, it works.

#9 12 years ago

MAT

Anim8ormatt

Inactive member

Highlands Ranch, CO

12y 54,400 2,193 5 21

spit. Its the best. Thats not a joke.

1 week later

#10 12 years ago

KIM

pdman

Inactive member

Well we came up with a pretty good method on how to install the Yellow Rubbers on the Space Shuttle game.
No lube required either!!

Video is here:

#11 12 years ago

EAB

eabundy

Pinside member

14y 103K 2,836

I had this same problem, but just used brute force pushing on them until they went on. I'm sure each rubber kit is a bit different in compound and ease of strechiness.

#12 12 years ago

RYL

ryanleblanc

Inactive member

Unknown

12y 0 146 13

@pdman that's actually a great solution, nice job!

#13 12 years ago

MST

mystic

Inactive member

I will be doing this tomorrow. Luckily I have some angled needle-nose pliers AND some spit.. I'm good either way!

#14 12 years ago

MST

mystic

Inactive member

this is kicking my ass.

Angled needle-nose - check
Spit - check
Lube - check
Robogrip and hands that feel like I just walked 10 miles on them.. check

First post done.. no.. it's over the lip and now pushing through the other side, feel like I'm giving birth.. jesus

and that video is great for the TAPERED posts, those two were a snap, it's the straight cylinders that are a pain in the ass. If I get this on I may have to heal before I attempt the second.. who designed this shit.

yellowrubber.jpg

#15 12 years ago

???

Brokedad

Retired Pinside hero

14y 3,138

Softening up the rubber in warm water and mineral oil also helps.

Off to check on a freebie machine now. Not promising as I'm told there was an electrical fire on the power supply board now. May just pass.

#16 12 years ago

MST

mystic

Inactive member

okay.. first one on.. does this seem like a good design? Am I doing something wrong? Note the amount of rubber that actually pushed through which I guess I'll need to hack off with a straight razor.. wtf..

yellowrubber2.jpg

#17 12 years ago

MST

mystic

Inactive member

and this makes more sense.. the second one went on in a snap.. because someone replaced the first stock post with one that had a bigger size metal piece at the top.. good lord. Apparently I am he-man though..

#18 12 years ago

KIM

pdman

Inactive member

mystic

We had no problem with the straight yellow rubbers versus the tapered ones.
Both went on OK.
Good Luck with your restoration.
We're just putting our Space Station back together.
Great Game and great low bit low-fi sounds!!

#19 12 years ago

DEL

SealClubber

Pinside Moderator

14y 127K 11,060 246

I just replaced one on my Scorpion. the post looked just like that one. I used Novus1. I also had to mount the post to the playfield so I could get the leverage. I think I also used a nut driver and socket to push the rubber down.

Might have to get me one of those angled pliers.

#20 12 years ago

KIM

pdman

Inactive member