werwer wrote:

Hardware store said use plumbers grease on these rings. Won't grease
cause the "rubber" to deteriorate? I put silicon grease on them
instead. Seems to
work fine .. now. Was that ok to do?

Most o-rings are made of neoprene or nitrile rubber, which stand up
fine to common greases. You can find the chemical compatibility of
many materials he

www.coleparmer.com/techinfo/chemcomp.asp

Lithium grease isn't the most water-resistant type available.
Calcium-based and alumina-based greases are better in this respect and
are often sold as wheel bearing lubes for boat engines and trailers.
By the way, don't mix calcium grease with the lithium grease in any
machinery.