Daytona tail light assembly - can't get C-rings in place

[BigShooter]

The Daytona tail lights assembly requires compression of the metal ring with bolts over the top of the rubber gasket, then release of a c-ring that seats under a lip.

Has anyone else had trouble getting these c-rings in there? If so, please share your tricks or techniques. I've been at this for a while and can't get the thing compressed down enough to expose the lip and get the c-ring to go into place. Can't seem to get the FFR version of getting it to fit to work for me. Various tools, techniques and a lengthy burst of bad language don't seem to be getting me any closer to success here - Heeeeeeelp!!

179901

[michael everson]

All the ones I have assembled practically fell into place. I wonder if the groove is too small or the rubber is thicker than normal. Can you put the snap ring in without anything else?
Mike

[BigShooter]

All the ones I have assembled practically fell into place. I wonder if the groove is too small or the rubber is thicker than normal. Can you put the snap ring in without anything else?
Mike

Mike,
Yes, without the rubber gasket they go in very easily. I've contemplated shaving the rubber gasket down or looking for a thinner one....was kinda hoping something would fit without extra reformulation!

[Namrups]

I had no problem with mine. Sorry your having issues.

[Tuftster]

I know mine were very tight and I had to work to get them in place. I used a small bar clamp to compress it slightly then pliers as shown in the manual to push the ring into place. I wrapped one of the pliers jaws in electrical tape to prevent marring rather than the stick trick the manual show. If they're cold (not sure where you're at) you could try warming them up, might make them a little more pliable.

Side note, unless they've improved the design those studs will spin pretty easily during install. Go very gentle on them when installing. I had to end up JB welding most of them.

[LateApex]

I'll echo this last comment too - with a twist. I never received the mounting plate with the studs. I didn't notice this until the last minute. So I cut mounting plates out of sheet stock, and then used PEM studs and pressed them in place. I shimmed with rubber gasket material in my shop for a good circlip fit. The posts I fabricated were fragile as the studs are small in diameter, and the PEM grip is tough in thin aluminum. So I applied a two-part epoxy to those posts, and found small nuts to pull the posts tight, while clearing the printed circuit board. Silly S#!t!

All sorts of hacks like this are part of the package of building the Coupe, and I suppose any other kit.

This should be a forum of its own IMO. "What hacks have you done to get your kit assembled?" Haha! I am sure there are stories here to mine.

I have acquired an amazing collection of gasket material and wire loom and molding and nuts and bolts and rivets and electrical bits of every variety and ... :-)

b.t.w.: You really want those C-rings / circlips to be tight, else the lenses will be rattling around. I used needle nose vise grips to snug them home

[BigShooter]

Thanks everyone. I ended up purchasing a sheet of 1/16" rubber gasket material and cutting new gaskets out of that. I 'think' the fit is tight enough. If not I'll try the tuftster warm up trick on the FFR ones and see if that helps. Could not get the originals compressed enough in any other way so far. I like lakeapex idea of having a separate forum for all the engineering hacks needed on this car!!