Aerial sealing grommet

[xjray]

Wondering if anyone can suggest where I might find a replacement wing sealing grommet for the top of the electric aerial as mine is split.

I can buy a complete new aerial and motor for about £85 but, as the current one works fine, it’s a lot to pay for want of a 30p rubber grommet!

Grateful for any suggestions.

Ray

[mike020150]

Knowing how difficult it can be to find such items, it might be worth considering gluing the original grommet back together, if only as a temporary measure, whilst you seek a replacement. Mike.

[xjray]

I did try some super glue but the ends of the split aren't very neat and don't meet cleanly so it didn't work.
I'm thinking to perhaps try some black silicone or similar that will fill the small gaps in the join and make it stick.

Still on the lookout for a replacement though.

Ray

[JimMann]

Hi Ray, it isn't a big component, but one of those small 'annoying' issues. There are companies out there who offer a stock of suitable washers / grommets. Note the aerial seal is more of a washer than a grommet - a grommet tends to be a rubber / plastic circular element that fits into a hole with a lip on either side. I found the company on the link below, who manufacture / offer suitable pieces - you just need something that approximates to the outer dimension, whilst looking to get as close as practical to the inner hole dimension and the thickness.

See https://www.grommets.co.uk/products/washers/

Careful measurement and then refer to the table of parts - a larger outer diameter can always be carefully trimmed to be a better match.

Jim

[xjray]

Thanks for the reply.

The item in question is more of a grommet than washer in that it has different diameters to the top and the bottom with a groove on the inside that the aerial top mounting plate fits into before compressing the base to the wing.

Plain rubber washers of all sorts of sizes are easy to get, I have looked around online extensively trying to find what I need, but a plain flat washer doesn’t really fit the bill, or only as a last resort.

By the way, the company you suggest have a minimum order value of £30, that would be a lot of washers !

Ray

[JimboV8]

Compared to your photo this is the closest I could find.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313360283295 ... gItBPD_BwE

[xjray]

Ah, good try. I had a look at the part but it won’t do the job. Thanks so much for your efforts though, much appreciated.

The fact that it’s part of the aerial system, which only comes as a complete set, means it’s not listed as a separate item. I do wonder if the new sets available from various suppliers are all new old stock or whether they are still made somewhere.

I’m going to try to find the manufacturer (original or new) and, if they’re still being made, see if I can get the part from them. Though I don’t hold out much hope.

Ray