Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Gas Pedal Linkage Grommet

Because the truck is at the shop I cannot take photos of this project. This one be a stand-in.

Necessity is the mother of invention!

This is my method to fabricate a "grommet" to seal the floor opening where the gas pedal linkage passes through it.

Remove the pedal and pedal bracket and clean, polish and paint the shaft where it goes through the floor.

Start with a 2' long piece of 5/8" heater hose. Slit the hose lengthwise and slip it over the shaft that goes through the floor. You will need a utility knife and a pair of snips to cut and trim the hose for this project.

Keep the hose as long as possible to help seal the opening. Trim, trim, trim! Trial fit. Keep trimming and fitting. There will finally be a point where the hose no longer interferes with the operation of the shaft and the hose fits into the hole in the floor. Stop at that point. As my late dad would say, "Anything better than that and you'll ruin it!"

Clean the floor on both sides with a rotary wheel, brush or sandpaper to remove all crud. Install the assembly with the hose attached. Make sure it still works! Buy a NEW tube of Goop at the local hardware or big box store. It doesn't matter which formulation you buy....they're all the same!

Apply the Goop on both sides of the floor where the hose makes contact. Flood it in to the point where it is about to drip or sag. Warning, do not allow the Goop to enter into the hose or your pedal won't work!

Use a heat gun or hairdryer to speed the skin-over. After that point, you will no longer need to force cure it. Allow the Goop to harden for at least 24 hours before rotating the shaft. That will prevent the assembly from possibly ruining the seal.

Look at the seal and add more Goop if necessary to build it up. It should not be necessary to lube the shaft unless it it binding.