Carpet Grommets
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 19
From: Oswego New York
Carpet Grommets
My '70 has original carpeting that needs replacement. Can the rubber grommets in the floorboards be removed without destroying them ... and perhaps reuse? If so, how do I get them out? Thanks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 8
From: Illinois
Buy new rubber grommets--they are only $12-15 for 9. I tried using some of the old ones (you can) the problem is they are 36 years old and aren't flexible & pliable like the new ones. Use new ones, spray them with silicone (inside and outside), and use a blunt tap to push them in (silicone inside allows you to pull out the tap and not pull out the grommet.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: Nowhere Mars (Southern Indiana)
Buy new rubber grommets--they are only $12-15 for 9. I tried using some of the old ones (you can) the problem is they are 36 years old and aren't flexible & pliable like the new ones. Use new ones, spray them with silicone (inside and outside), and use a blunt tap to push them in (silicone inside allows you to pull out the tap and not pull out the grommet.
.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 19
From: Oswego New York
Carpet Grommet Removal Question
Buy new rubber grommets--they are only $12-15 for 9. I tried using some of the old ones (you can) the problem is they are 36 years old and aren't flexible & pliable like the new ones. Use new ones, spray them with silicone (inside and outside), and use a blunt tap to push them in (silicone inside allows you to pull out the tap and not pull out the grommet.
Has anyone removed their grommets without cutting them out? How?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
I ground out the rust, welded in a patch, then sprayed rubber undercoating top and bottom. No more drain hole, no more rust
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Le Mans Master
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From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 19
From: Oswego New York
You probably just never noticed it because you don't have steel pans. When I pulled up my carpet, the pans were badly rusted in a radial area centered at the plug. There were no leaks from above, so the only logical conclusion is the water came from below.
I ground out the rust, welded in a patch, then sprayed rubber undercoating top and bottom. No more drain hole, no more rust
I ground out the rust, welded in a patch, then sprayed rubber undercoating top and bottom. No more drain hole, no more rust
Are you describing the drain plug almost level area of your pans (close to the seats) or where the grommets go through the carpeted sloped area under your feet when your legs are fully stretched out, or both?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Hi, I just checked your profile ... got a big chuckle out of your 'shade' of brown.
Are you describing the drain plug almost level area of your pans (close to the seats) or where the grommets go through the carpeted sloped area under your feet when your legs are fully stretched out, or both?
Are you describing the drain plug almost level area of your pans (close to the seats) or where the grommets go through the carpeted sloped area under your feet when your legs are fully stretched out, or both?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 8
From: Illinois
You have switched from grommets to drain plugs--which is it. The grommets --just pull on them and they come out--if you don't replace them there is nothing to hold the top of the carpeup. No I didn't use any adhesive--don't need any if you use the rubber grommets..
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Yeah, I dunno. I really don't think I had them which is why I assumed he was talking about the rubber drain plug.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 19
From: Oswego New York
Just to be clear ... I didn't intentionally switch ... I mentioned the drain plugs in one of my followup posts because I suspected that was what was described in a reply to my original thread about carpet grommets ... I'm not sure how 'clear' this is after reading it myself. I'll try the 'pinch and push from the bottom side with pliers' technique. If they break or are no good, I'll buy new ones. Thanks for all your help.
Last edited by 70Yellowbird; Feb 26, 2008 at 02:24 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Just to be clear ... I didn't intentionally switch ... I mentioned the drain plugs in one of my followup posts because I suspected that was what was described in a reply to my original thread about carpet grommets ... I'm not sure how 'clear' this is after reading it myself. I'll try the 'pinch and push from the bottom side with pliers' technique. If they break or are no good, I'll buy new ones. Thanks for all your help.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 19
From: Oswego New York
If you carpeting was replaced ... by a previous owner, perhaps they didn't bother to reinstall grommets. Check out the passenger side firewall just above the deflector plate. My '70 has 3 grommet holes there that you should be able to feel with your finger. I'm not at all familiar with your model year ... but another member can help if you really want to know.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 872
Likes: 3
From: Cortlandt Manor New York
I tried unsuccessfully to remove these gromets. I soaked them in silicone, used a pliers, massaged them, talked to them and spend way too much time trying to save them. Finally my Sicilian took over and I ripped them out and bought new ones.
