Need tip: installing speedometer grommet

[Dave69x33]

Has anyone had success installing a new grommet on an exitsing speedometer cable?  It’s a safe assumption that on original cable assemblies, the grommet was installed before the metal end is crimped to the cable!  As you can see, the diameter on crimped end of the cable is nearly three times the size of the hole in the grommet.

[70lt1z28]

dont know how pliable your grommet is, but believe it or not i was able to get mine on over end of the cable. try a tiny bit of oil and work it a little at a time.  good luck

[L78 steve]

Make a tapered tube out of aluminum or copper flashing ,wear leather gloves and use Vaseline .Steve.

[Dave69x33]

I thought about using the snout from a funnel covered with Vaseline.  First soften the grommet in hot water, and then try to work the grommet over the snout and onto the cable.  I was wondering if and how others have pulled this stunt off. 

Talk about pushing 5 lbs of "you know what" into a 1 lb bag....!

Thanks.  I'll try this and post the results!

[JohnZ]

The cable and grommet were received separately. In the plant, we used a cone-shaped metal tool that fit over the end of the ferrule and a Joy soap solution to push the tool (and the ferrule) through the grommet, then removed the tool and installed the cable and grommet in the hole in the firewall. Photo below shows a similar tool made of wood that accomplishes the same thing. 

[Dave69x33]

Outstanding......JohnZ, your a life saver!

Great tip...thanks.   

[Dave69x33]

Based on JohnZ's tip, I had a taper tool made out of Nylon and it work great.  As shown, it fits inside the speedometer end of the cable.  Lithium grease was applied to the tool and over the cable.  I fixtured the cable in my vise and the grommet easily slipped over the cable by hand.  I would recommend that you apply a light film of grease over the length of the cable to help slide the grommet into location.

Push the grommet past the approximate location it will be located once the cable is installed in the car.  After the cable is installed, slide the grommet along the cable and snap into the firewall hole location.  Wipe the cable clean.  It's very simple!

[dd442]

Does the grommet go inside or engine side of the firewall

[68Zproject]

Engine side.

[Mike S]

 Just to add to this old thread for the sake of future searches, I bought an installation tool today from L.I. Corvette Supply for $6.50. It screws on to the end of the cable (67/68) for a nice secure fit. Using a 1" deep socket to hold the new grommet under its embedded steel ring, grease up the tool and place in a vice and give a strong and slight twisting push and presto, it's on in seconds with no damage to the rubber.

Mike

[L78 steve]

Which one did you get? There are 2 available.

[Mike S]

Hi Steve,

  It looks like the two are the same. The package I have shows two P/N's of; #55-52/#37-16E

Mike

[ban617]

Nice tools there

[L78 steve]

Hi Steve,

  It looks like the two are the same. The package I have shows two P/N's of; #55-52/#37-16E

Mike

Thanks Mike, That's a must have tool.