I think most of Lemmy acknowled the beauty of Linux

The plastic ‘bolts’ really suck. You can replace them with steel if you don’t need to take it apart again in a few months ( I would recommend against it though), stainless or brass would be my choice. Coating the threads with heavy waterproof grease helps in any case to prevent wicking.

I’m with you, I hate replacing something that should work. To me it’s not just the money but needless waste. I will spend time to keep things out of the land fill. It would be nice to shoot things sometimes but not really an option for me.

I would get rid of the foam and just make a circle of the gummy stuff. Press it in place, then use the bolts to tighten it up.

Wax seal is to the floor, usually rubber between the cistern and bowl.