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The plastic fuse box lid contains a sealing gasket.
This sealing material shrinks, hardens, cracks and falls out in chunks when accessing the fuse box.
The seal.is not a separate service item, requiring purchase of an entire fuse box cover
Replacing the cover is an issue because the inner fuse box diagram labels are no longer available.
However, the seal can be replaced
Anyone already tackle this? Gasket is nestled into recess. Appears to be friction fit. Close up image depicting fractured gasket. This is typical of every LS400 cover I have surveyed.
If one didn't mind the expense they could take a pic measure overall length-width to have one of the decal shops print a bunch.
On another forum I've been considering having a part reverse engineered and CNC'd because the manufacturer has long gone out of business. That one part is a critical component to keeping the assembly working. Sadly, the attrition rate because parts are not available makes my undertaking that project less motivating. There aren't many left and I don't want the expense of parts I won't be able to recoup the expense from either. Mine is about a $3K project initially. The assembly itself in working condition is maybe $300 tops, disposable at this point.
Rummaged through McMaster-Carr catalog and located "X-Profile Oil-Resistant Buna N O-Ring Cord Stock" in 3 foot lengths.
Purchased 5mm wide, P.N. # 1207N19 in 3 foot length.
Am also.purchasing the 4.5 mm diameter material, to.see if less force to latch the cover closed, P.N. 1207N18
The fit is snug so no adhesive required, and the X profile replicates the set of the old gasket material...not sure what OEM material used, but it disintegrates when barely touched.
Several images of the material used and install...
X profile has a channel to better mate with lip of fuse box base. Used this hooked pick to remove hardened gasket material. Now using same tool. to press x gasket into fuse box cover channel. Old material.
New gasket before trimming. 3 foot section enough to complete the job Finished product Craftsman pick set. Also useful.for replacing connector shells among other things
The plastic fuse box lid contains a sealing gasket.
This sealing material shrinks, hardens, cracks and falls out in chunks when accessing the fuse box.
The seal.is not a separate service item, requiring purchase of an entire fuse box cover
Replacing the cover is an issue because the inner fuse box diagram labels are no longer available.
However, the seal can be replaced
Anyone already tackle this? Gasket is nestled into recess. Appears to be friction fit. Close up image depicting fractured gasket. This is typical of every LS400 cover I have surveyed.
I would get some black silicone for automotive use and put a few dabs around where the old seal is still hanging in to keep it in the box. Then use the silicone to fill in the gaps that have chunks missing. Best of luck!
I would get some black silicone for automotive use and put a few dabs around where the old seal is still hanging in to keep it in the box. Then use the silicone to fill in the gaps that have chunks missing. Best of luck!
It is less expensive to replace the entire seal with 4.5mm X profile material at .46/ft than purchase a tube of black silicone....