Replace shutter button O-ring on G7 WP-DC11 (and maybe others)

[rling]

Hi all
I'm keen to replace all the O-rings on my WP-DC11 as a few of the buttons are jamming on deeper dives now. All the buttons other than the shutter are easy, they have exposed clips that I can pop off the button shaft with a small screwdriver. But there is no obvious way to remove the shutter button. Other G-series housings might be the same...?

There is a blue plastic part with a very narrow slot in it, only about 2mm x 1mm, I think I can see a clip right inside the slot, very hard to access. I also thought maybe the button unscrews from the outside, but nothing happening. Anyone done this?

Thanks for any help.

R

 

[Gilligan]

No need to remove any of those O-rings.

Just place a drop of pure food grade liquid silicone on each control and work it into the O-ring.

Place the drops on the rear plunger controls from the exterior of the housing and on the shutter button from the interior.

 

[rling]

Thanks Gilligan!
I'm keen to disassemble the buttons and inspect or replace the O-rings because I believe the buildup of tiny specks of muck/corrosion on the button shafts causes them to become slightly rough (which is why they jam) and this roughness then abrades the O-ring each time the button is pressed. Eventually the O-ring gets so worn it leaks. Adding silicon would help a lot with lubrication, but I don't think it could remove corrosion as well.

Anyway, I found the solution -- there IS a clip inside the tiny slot, so I bought a cheap flat-blade screwdriver sized for the slot and filed a concave curve in the tip of the blade. You may need a magnifier for this. Turn the shutter button so that the clip's opening faces you, then use the screwdriver to push it off the shaft and through to the back. It's a bit fiddly to get out. To replace it, put it into the slot from the front with the opening facing away from you, then apply pressure with the screwdriver.

As I predicted, all the button shafts had tiny specks of corrosion and muck, but some wet tissue paper and elbow grease soon got them gleaming again! I was not able to get matches for the O-rings so I have re-lubed them and will see how it goes.

Hope this helps someone.

Cheers
R

 

[jbb]

I had my old g7 camera stolen from my house but i still have the canon uw case, couple of extra batts and o-rings for the case. PM if you are interested - the buttons are nice and sticky.