Brake Cable To Firewall Grommet

[Daveh]

Hey guys,

I went to install my emergency brake in the car last night and could not get the new grommet that goes against the firewall to fit over the cable.  There was no way to put it on.  I ended up splitting it in half and installed it.  I figured I would jut just a tiny amount of RTV on the seam.  Does that sound about right?  Thanks

[anlauto]

The correct grommet has a metal insert, making it difficult to "split in half" . Is yours the correct one ?

[Shane Kelley]

The new E brake cable comes with that already on it. The replacement might be all rubber so it can be installed. If it fits over the cable and fits snug in the hole you will be fine.

[Mrbill426]

So how does one install a "correct" grommet with the metal insert onto a replacement front cable? 

The new E brake cable comes with that already on it. The replacement might be all rubber so it can be installed. If it fits over the cable and fits snug in the hole you will be fine.

[Burdar]

I just bought a new front cable from Inline Tube. It came with the grommet and clips already installed.

[Mrbill426]

Inline Tube here too.... no grommet.... bought over a year ago.  I see new "correct" grommets for sale (alone) so there must be a plan somewhere. 

I just bought a new front cable from Inline Tube. It came with the grommet and clips already installed.

[Shane Kelley]

So how does one install a "correct" grommet with the metal insert onto a replacement front cable? 

The new E brake cable comes with that already on it. The replacement might be all rubber so it can be installed. If it fits over the cable and fits snug in the hole you will be fine.

That I don't know. That's why I made sure it came on the new cable. I can't see how it will fit over the ends. You might be stuck buying a new front cable with it already on it.

[Burdar]

My Challenger cable came from Fine Lines. It didn't have the grommet on it. I had to buy it separately. I don't remember how I installed it. Maybe push larger and larger sockets through the grommet until you have it expanded just enough to slide it over the cable end.

[Mrbill426]

Both ends of my Inline Tube front cable look like this; no grommet.   

My Challenger cable came from Fine Lines. It didn't have the grommet on it. I had to buy it separately. I don't remember how I installed it. Maybe push larger and larger sockets through the grommet until you have it expanded just enough to slide it over the cable end.

[Burdar]

Here's my original cable.  The cable diameter isn't that much smaller then the end.  You should be able to pull the grommet past the end with a little lube.

[Mrbill426]

I still have my original and it looks just like yours, grommet and all.  The replacement grommets I have seen look like they have metal in them, but my original is all rubber.  I am not sure what "locks" them into the firewall as they are not grooved; smooth sides like yours.

Here's my original cable.  The cable diameter isn't that much smaller then the end.  You should be able to pull the grommet past the end with a little lube.

[RUNCHARGER]

Those metal prongs sticking out of the rubber grommet lock it into the hole in the firewall. They are generally rusted away on old grommets.

[Burdar]

Yah, the metal in them usually rusts away.  The cable was installed from the INSIDE.  The cable was probably installed on the mechanism first, then the cable was pushed through the hole in the firewall.(from the inside) The "tabs" should be visible from the wheel well.

[Mrbill426]

So the prongs are just embedded in the rubber, or are the protruding from a washer molded into the grommet?  I'll have to take another look at my old one, but it looked like the "prongs" were rubber.

Those metal prongs sticking out of the rubber grommet lock it into the hole in the firewall. They are generally rusted away on old grommets.

[Burdar]

On my original grommet, the rubber was molded around the metal prongs.  On the reproduction, the prongs just stick out of the rubber.