Grote 46003 clearance light gaskets!!

[mchero]

Some of my Grote 46003 clearance lights show signs of condensation. I was half expecting to find rusty bulb sockets but found #168 bulbs/rubber sockets BUT I did find dried up gaskets. The clearance lights are in excellent shape. I can't find just the gaskets for these clearance lights. Hate to have to drop $6 a light just for the gasket.

Also note the original lights are riveted to the front and rear fiberglass caps.

Ideas, thoughts?

[lane_hog]

Check with NAPA -- I know they carry Grote grommets as I needed some in a hurry last week and they were delivered same-day.

[JRscooby]

Over decades I have put a bead of clear "form a gasket" where the edge of lens meets housing, re-assemble, and wipe off excess. Piece of chicken...

[akrv]

Drill two small holes in the lower side of the lens. Let the air in and the water out.

[mchero]

Thanks for the excellent ideas!

[mchero]

Yes, that would be my next step if no gaskets are found.

I also wanted to note others with like lights...
The hard Rubber sockets on these lights push UP from the bottom up and then are twisted CW about an eighth of an inch to lock in the socket.....

IF you push down too hard on the 168 bulb you can accidently push the socket down and out of the light fixture possibly dropping down inside the front or rear cap!
It happened to me but got lucky...it was a rear clearance light near the backup camera so I pulled the camera bracket and was able to reach up and reconnect socket to housing!

[pigman1]

I understand your issues. Seems like a total waste to have to replace the light just for a gasket, but that seems to be the throw away society. Any auto supply store should have a fair supply of various gasket material that can be cut as you need. If you need rubber, have you thought of an inner tube? Available at farm suppliers, auto supply shops or even bicycle shops. You'll have to do a bit of cutting, but....? As to the rivets, how about just drilling out the rivets and replacing them with stainless screws? You might have to put in some plastic/nylon sheetrock anchors or other expanding type anchors (Molly fasteners) if the holes in the caps are bigger than the largest screw that will fit the lamp.

[agesilaus]

Silicone?