Necessity is the mother of invention...

Yesterday after carpet and seat installation, I had a "bear of a time" putting the old stiff rubber drain plugs (The ones on the undersurface under the seat risers that allow access to the seat nuts/bolts) back into place. Even whacking them with a rubber mallet was unsuccessful. I did not want to push the middle part too hard for fear of puncture - after all, they are ~43 years old.

So, after making sure there was no rust on them (Microwave ovens do not like metals) I put them on a plate and put them in my microwave for ~ 10 secs. Out they came, warm, malleable/flexible and much easier to install.

I am curious - has anyone else ever tried this technique with rubber plugs or grommets that were a little stubborn?

 

Excellent idea haha. I would of used a heat gun instead in fear of stinking up the house...

 

I understand if you wanted to reuse the originals, but...

there are replacements rubber plugs you can get cheap, cheap.

 

Putting the plugs in hot water works too.

 

Is there a need to buy replacements (and pay for S&H) if the originals still function?

BTW, I was lucky. It did not create any foul odor!

 

well for me, i have a mustang shop about 10 minutes away, so I got a full rubber plug kit for cheeeaappp

great idea though