How the H#&% do you change the portafilter gasket?!

[rfc]

I am trying to put in a new portafilter gasket and have had no success. I get the thing in and seated about 270 degrees around the diffuser but that's it. Any ideas or tricks?

[another_jim]

Use a basketless PF to get it started. If necessary, put in just one ear at a time. If you can't the PF in at all after that, and the gasket isn't partially in the groove all round, take it out and try again. Brushing it with cooking oil helps.

Once it's somewhat seated, you can work it all the way using the PF, first without, then with a basket.

[HB]

FYI, the site's Resources page is your first stop where you'll find topics like Minor Adjustments & Maintanence and articles such as E61 Group Head Maintenance Turorial (sic). Like Jim suggested, most can be coaxed in with a basketless portafilter and some upward rocking-n-tugging motion. It really helps if the machine is bolted down to the countertop too (yes, it's a little extreme, but I can't abide machines that shift around).

PS: "Turorial"? We need to start a collection to buy Dave at EspressoParts a spell checker.

[rfc]

Thanks! I was on the right track...used some olive oil to lube 'er up, and I even figured out taking the portafilter basket out as per the link HB provided...but it was sitting on the machine while pulling up on the portafilter that did the trick!