Q on Steering Ram grommets

[Keith M.]

So I got my steering ram off and noticed the grommets that were on there (that attach to bracket attached to frame) seem to be different than those in my repro set as well as NOS ones I see on eBay. See attached pics. The ones that were on there had two different diameters in a stepped fashion as well as some concentric circle ...from the molding process. For all I know the ones that were on the car are orginal. And they seem in good shape so I would not mind re-using particular if they are assembly line and if its the case that service parts were made different. I love original...where it makes sense.
Keith

[Joe L.]

Re: Q on Steering Ram grommets

So I got my steering ram off and noticed the grommets that were on there (that attach to bracket attached to frame) seem to be different than those in my repro set as well as NOS ones I see on eBay. See attached pics. The ones that were on there had two different diameters in a stepped fashion as well as some concentric circle ...from the molding process. For all I know the ones that were on the car are orginal. And they seem in good shape so I would not mind re-using particular if they are assembly line and if its the case that service parts were made different. I love original...where it makes sense.
Keith

Keith------


The original PRODUCTION and SERVICE part number for the grommet was GM #3709452. This same part number was available in SERVICE for many years and was actually discontinued only relatively recently. As far as I know, all examples of this grommet were configured as you show in your last photo. Is it possible that early examples were configured differently? Yes, I suppose it's possible but I kind of doubt it. In any event, the INSTALLED configuration of the grommet you show in the last photo shouldn't be different than the grommet you show in your first photos. If it were me, I would install the new grommets.

[Keith M.]

Re: Q on Steering Ram grommets

Thank you Joe. I can't help but be curious about these things. Makes the restoration more fun...for me anyway. Always learning and grateful for your "teaching"! Seems that sometimes assembly line parts are quickly replaced and other times not like in this case. Guessing what was on my car was something that someone grabbed at a local parts store....or the originals did deform as depicted...but the latter I am not sure about.
Keith