We talked about how often to service the housing and its price...

But has any DIY hero ever tried to change the o-rings on a single button or a wheel?

I remember seeing it done once on a Nauticam housing, and it didn't seem like rocket science to me.

Provided you have the right spare parts and tools. It seems to me that once the micro circlip/e-clip is removed, the mechanism just slides out. I'm aware that different brands have different designs.

Am I crazy?

Hi,

definitely no rocket science. If you have a little knowledge in mechanics, be a DIY & have the right tools it shouldn`t be a problem. Just be organized if you dismantle all buttons/wheels/levers at same time, so you know they are all on the right position when you reassemble.

I did this on different housing brands (Patima C7070, Hugy D300, Sealux flash housing Nikon SB800, Seacam housing D800, Nauticam housing D850) I haved used and all worked fine after reassemble. SIngle buttons and wheels are never a problem.

Just be careful with levers. Some brands are easy and they always in the right position as they mechanical fit only in one position. Some brands you can. f.e. move the levers on the shaft. So it`s always a good idea to mark the position with a pen before dismantling. Will save you a lot of time when you reassemble. Photos also help a lot.

Br Markus

I have just a hard button and a knob with no levers involved.

Let's see if I dare 🤪

4 hours ago, Davide DB said:

I have just a hard button and a knob with no levers involved.

Let's see if I dare 🤪

I remove the circlips with a chopstick. Just push it off the shaft.

I recommend getting new clips and don't reuse the old ones. They can bend and deform when removed and might not hold as securely upon reuse.

If you are going to the trouble, definitely replace the circlip as Dave suggests and also replace the springs. You need to lubricate everything as well, the o-rings need a little more grease than your main o-ring as I understand it as it is never replaced until the next service. There's not much in the way of guides on how to do this out there, though Ikelite has a video for their housings.

37 minutes ago, Chris Ross said:

If you are going to the trouble, definitely replace the circlip as Dave suggests and also replace the springs. You need to lubricate everything as well, the o-rings need a little more grease than your main o-ring as I understand it as it is never replaced until the next service. There's not much in the way of guides on how to do this out there, though Ikelite has a video for their housings.

The circlips are generic parts and easy to source, as are the orings. Circlips are also integral to holding the housing together. I don't know that the springs actually wear out at all, and they are not going to impact the integrity of the housing. I don't think they are something you should put any energy to replacing if you are DIYing the job. Now a proper service center is going to have all these parts on hand, so yes of course they should replace the springs, rubber tips, etc. It's what you are (over) paying for.

Edited 3 hours ago3 hr by Dave_Hicks

1 hour ago, Dave_Hicks said:

The circlips are generic parts and easy to source, as are the orings. Circlips are also integral to holding the housing together. I don't know that the springs actually wear out at all, and they are not going to impact the integrity of the housing. I don't think they are something you should put any energy to replacing if you are DIYing the job. Now a proper service center is going to have all these parts on hand, so yes of course they should replace the springs, rubber tips, etc. It's what you are (over) paying for.

Yes, but they can corrode and they lose tension over time, I would still try and source them if possible.