Technical Clutch cable bushing - can’t remove piece through floor

[travellinggumboots]

Hi all,

1996 Fiat Ducato II, LHD, 2.5D. First time poster here.

Snapped the clutch cable a week ago and the new one should arrive any day now.

I’ve managed to remove all of the old one (inner from both ends and outer from the engine side), however I cannot seem to remove the last bushing that goes through the floor/firewall. I believe the new one comes with this piece (looks like it in the photos anyway) and the old one needs to come out to get the new one through (looks like I need to feed the entire new cable through in one piece, inner and outer, then attach each end of the inner). I’ve seen in some other forums that some ducatos have a 90 degree locking cam arrangement but I can’t seem to get mine out like this, and it’s extremely hard to reach and even harder to see.

Any advice on how to get this bushing out? I’m hoping when the new one arrives I’ll be able to see what it looks like and therefore hopefully have a better chance at removing the old one…

First pic is the lever side (inside) and second pic is the engine side.

Thanks

 

[Communicator]

Hi,
Welcome to the forum. I have not faced this particular situation myself, but I have some experience in removing grommets.
1. Do you really need to replace the grommet? If you are a fastidious (fussy) person like me then probably yes.
2. With reluctant grommets, I usually resort to suitable lubricant e.g silicone spray, and a suitable screwdriver to help fold the inner lip of the grommet towards the centre.
3. In case new grommet is not included, wait and see.

 

[travellinggumboots]

Managed to get it by dousing it in WD40 and giving it a bit of a whack with a rubber mallet from the inside, and it popped out the bottom. I was a bit hesitant to do that earlier in case I damaged it but was getting desperate! Thanks for the advice.