Manual Steering Rack grommet

[dougdee123]

Does anybody know of a source for a suitable replacement rubber grommet or seal that goes between the bulkhead and the rack? The max o/d is 50mm, the hole in the bulkhead is 40mm and the i/d is 20mm.

Mine is perished and looks like someone has taken a hacksaw to one side of it. I don't think that was me but clearly I wasn't able to find anything to replace it when the original rebuild happened.

I've searched the internet but haven't turned up anything really suitable. The 50mm plugs that are out there are rather thin.

regards

Doug

[MattNoVAT]

Doug,

I bought some rubber like this off Ebay. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4mm-thick-neoprene-rubber-sheet-black-1mtr-x-1-4mtrs-/170837289394?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item27c6b229b2


Then cut out two large rubber rings, then two smaller one and made my own grommet by glueing them together using some serious super-glue.

It was far easier than hunting an OEM or similar item down and I got the eact shape I needed 

PS - If you don't fit this grommet you'll get a lot more road noise inside....... guess how I know that !

[dougdee123]

Matt,

Thanks once again. That really seems like a good method and I'll give it a go.

I can well understand about the road noise too. It does seem that there is always a lot more than you need.

I suspect the carpet will be less moist too.

regards,

Doug

[dougdee123]

Well I had a go at making one of these and I have to say that it hasn't been a resounding success. Fundamentally the problem is that the rubber isn't flexible enough and if you make the thing the same size as the original then it is almost impossible to get into the hole. Partly because of the flexibility and partly because of the ability to reach the orifice behind the pedals, under the steering wheel.

I just had the experience of lying with my head on the interior mat and upsetting a small bowl of soapy water resulting in an impromptu hair wash with added detritus. Following that I re-inserted the original, damaged, grommet partly to see if I could and partly to allow the Beta to be driveable in the event the daily drive (a Saab 900) fails it's MOT test on Thursday.

Can anyone who has a copy of the parts book please tell me what the official name of the grommet/bung/whatyoumaycallit is together with the part number if possible? I'm going to try and find out if any supplier can fix me up with a replacement. Plan B rev 1.0 is to try and find some softer material to make the bung from.

Doug

[markwast]

Hi, if you know the dimensions, (OD,ID and thickness) i may have a supplier that can make some for me. they di the top water rail to head seal for me.

Regards Mark

[dougdee123]

Hi Mark,

The o/d is 50mm
The dimension of the middle that sits inside the bulkhead hole is 34mm
Thickness of that part is 1.5 or 2.0mm - body metal thickness
The i/d is 22mm  (to seal onto a 25mm nozzle on the rack)
The thickness overall of the bung is 8mm at the edge although the centre is 12mm although this may be due to the long term distortion caused by sealing round the rack nozzle.

regards,

Doug