What sort of sealant do I need?

[Les]

I have a Hunter 27 with a Lewmar pedestal with folding wheel, instruments, compass, etc. On the right side of the pedestal is the single engine lever which when straight up is neutral, pushed forward moves the boat forward and pull back all the way gives reverse.

If you're with me, so far so good. To put the drive into neutral one has to push in on the axel (bottom) of the engine lever and move the arm. The design is a rubber type cup button covering a metal piece with a spring on the shaft of the metal piece.

My problem is that during high winds the pedestal canvas covering somehow works the rubber cup button off permitting the metal piece and spring to also come out and fall to the cockpit floor. I have found the parts and have put them back several times. One of these times I am going to loose one of those three parts--it will happen.

I need to secure the metal piece and spring by "glueing" in the rubber cup button. I am considering rubber cement. Do you have any other suggestions of a type of glue that would work on a rubber button that needs to be pushed in but not fall out. It probably needs to be flexible don't you think?

What are your suggestions?

 

[Ray Bowles]

If you can find "404" Locktite super glue it will attach rubber to metal. Only apply the glue to the small edge of the rubber cup and then stick it to the metal. You will only have 1 shot because whatever it contacts it sticks to. "404" is not standard issue cheap super glue. We used it for industrial applications so I hope it is sold for retail consumption.
Good luck, Ray