Given the oil that leaked out the bottom, this o-ring definitely had enough lubrication. It also seems to have essentially zero wear - After almost three years of use, the parting line from the original molding process is still visible on both the outer and inner surfaces of the o-ring. We didn't find a single nick anywhere on it, so our concern that it may have been damaged during assembly was also not the issue. It's a mystery.
>> Helical drive washer have been out of production for over 15 years
>> and WP does not care if these machines continue to work or not.
That unfortunately appears to be the case...