Automotive Strainer Grommets


Often used in automotive and mass transit vehicles, strainer grommets are designed to "strain" or filter liquids which pass through them, trapping debris and detritus in the process, and preventing it from clogging vehicle components and systems.

A common vehicle application for strainer grommets is the vehicle windshield washer pump assembly. There, a strainer grommet is used to ensure that debris from the washer fluid reservoir does not enter the washer pump, where it may clog. To accomplish this task, the strainer grommet is designed with two parts: a molded flexible rubber base which connects and seals the fluid carrier tube from the reservoir to the washer pump; and a plastic filter section, affixed onto the rubber base, consisting of numerous apertures, 1 mm or smaller in size, which catch any matter present in the washer fluid as it passes through the grommet on its way from the reservoir into the pump. In an alternative design, the strainer grommet may be all-rubber, with the base and the filtering portion of the grommet molded as a single piece (see image).

In this particular application, the strainer grommet also functions as a strain-relief grommet, connecting, anchoring and sealing the carrier tube which feeds the washer pump, while relieving the stresses associated with any flexing and bending that may occur at the point of connection. Larger strainer grommets used in other vehicle systems may be fitted with a fine wire mesh screen to catch any debris present in the fluid which passes through the grommet.

Automotive strainer grommets have the following vehicle applications:

  • Windshield washer systems and assemblies.

  • Headlight washer systems and assemblies.

  • Engine oil pump assemblies.

  • Fuel pump assemblies and distribution systems.

Besides supplying automotive strainer grommets, CRG can supply the following grommet types to any vehicle program:

  • Grooved grommets(also known as cable or wiring grommets) are commonly used in vehicle programs. Grooved grommets are inserted into holes drilled into panels or other surfaces through which wires and cables normally pass. Once inserted, the grommet’s groove holds it firmly in place. The grommet surrounds the wire or cable and protects it from destructive mechanical forces, such as flexing, twisting and abrasion, that would likely occur without a grommet.

  • Edge grommets. These grommets are used to protect longer runs of wiring or cabling which traverses rough edges or surfaces. If required, CRG can supply edge grommets as continuous strips of various sizes and lengths to suit the application at hand.

  • Strain relief grommets. As noted above, these grommets are used for strain-relief purposes. Made from rubber or plastic, these grommets securely grip and anchor the cable or line which passes through them, thus relieving the stresses associated with pulling, twisting, or flexing.

  • Sleeved grommets. A grommet type with a tapered flexible sleeve which completely surrounds and encapsulates a wire or cable. Because the grommet is flexible at the sleeve end, the encapsulated wire can flex freely, thus preventing fracture or breakage.

CRG supplies automotive grommets molded from a wide array of elastomers and other materials. For automotive applications, we can advise on the selection of materials designed to support severe-service conditions and withstand the effects of aging through exposure to the elements and UV light. Choosing the right grommet material is critical for ensuring reliability and durability, thus preventing failure and the need for replacement.

In our 25-plus years of servicing the transportation industry, CRG has supplied grommets to some of the world’s leading automakers, including GM, Ford, Chrysler, and others. In supplying leading automakers and their supply chains, CRG has acquired extensive experience in producing grommets for a wide variety of applications. Examples of grommet applications we have serviced include washer tank pump grommets, fuel pump grommets, firewall grommets, A-pillar grommets, and trunk grommets.

To find out more about the automotive strainer grommets and other grommets which CRG can supply, please contact our sales department at crg@canadarubbergroup.com.