[Fluke]

I ordered the all weather rubber floor mats when I purchased my Volt a year ago. The mats themselves are very high quality and look great. However, the hold down grommets break very easily and were a disappointment on an otherwise great product. I liked the concept of the hold-down hardware, but the execution by the manufacturer was bad. When removing the mats for cleaning, they tend to break - I have not had any luck finding OEM replacement grommets and have been told that the only way to get replacement grommets is to get new mats

This got me searching for a replacement grommet for the mats. I found what looked like an exact replacement with a VW part number 3C0-864-523-9B9 "Bracket" and a 3C0-864-521-9B9 "Cap" which wound up costing only $1.40 per pair from a VW dealer online (www.thevwpartsstore.com). I got the parts and while the look and function is close, they are not an exact match. The center hole on the VW part is too small to slide over the post in the floor. I decided to modify the VW parts to see if I could make them work. Drilling out the VW part somewhat compromises the spring clip function, but it does latch onto the existing post. The new parts appear to be more robust (even after drilling out) than the originals. I'll update this post after I have used the modified parts for a while.

Here is a description of each of the photos:

Original parts on the right, VW parts on the left.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/6995868170/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/7141954159/

1" hole in scrap wood to hold the grommet centered.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/6995868570/

0748 - Grommet in 1" hole, prepared for drilling 1/2" center hole.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/6995866628/

0749 - Hold-down to prevent spinning.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/6995865748/

0750 - Drilling completed.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/7141951923/

0751 - Drilled part, needs cleanup.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/6995864482/

0752 - Completed, cleaned up part.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/7141950315/

0753 - Rear view, completed part.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/7141949387/

0754 - Installed - top is new part, bottom is original. The hole in the mat did need to be trimmed about 1/16" in diameter for the new part to fit.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/6995862102/

 

[REB]

Great post and even better pictures. I haven't taken mine out as yet just vacuum them in place but I sure appreciate your efforts.

Ross

 

[DonC]

Yes, many thanks for taking the time to research and pass it on. Like Ross I haven't taken them up either but at some point in time that will have to happen.

 

[Red Volt]

What is Lloyd's Mats doing?

 

[dwl]

I have the all weather mats too and also haven't taken them out yet. I had no idea they were prone to breaking. Thanks very much for the heads up and the great write-up.

 

[TheProgrammerGuy]

I have read other posts where people mention the "excellent" quality of these mats. I have them too, and they are ok - but JUST ok. Excellent quality mats are softer, more rubber like - flexible, thicker, and obviously more durable. This is probably what you are noticing about the VW grommets.

If they turn out to be OK, perhaps you could make more? I would buy them as I have already noticed how flimsy these are and I know I will need some in the future.

 

[tfford]

I have the all weather mats as well and have had them out many times. The ONE time I failed to use my thumb to press down on the post while lifting the mat supporting the grommet on the bottom side is the one time the grommet came apart. As it turned out, nothing broke but the grommet did separate into the two halves, top side and bottom side. I put them back on both sides of the mat and pressed them together but as you might expect, they didn't stay. So, I took the mat and two grommet halves into the workshop, positioned the respective halves correctly and pressed them together with my vice.

They haven't come apart again but I do still use my thumb on the post and lift on the bottom half of the grommet when taking the mats out. I probably do this almost weekly and have had the car for over a year.

While I agree they're somewhat cheaply made, a little patience and caution seems to go a long way.

 

[Luvthevolt]

its under warranty. Take to the dealer to get replaced.

 

[zaxdude]

I have the all weather mats as well and have had them out many times. The ONE time I failed to use my thumb to press down on the post while lifting the mat supporting the grommet on the bottom side is the one time the grommet came apart. As it turned out, nothing broke but the grommet did separate into the two halves, top side and bottom side. I put them back on both sides of the mat and pressed them together but as you might expect, they didn't stay. So, I took the mat and two grommet halves into the workshop, positioned the respective halves correctly and pressed them together with my vice.

They haven't come apart again but I do still use my thumb on the post and lift on the bottom half of the grommet when taking the mats out. I probably do this almost weekly and have had the car for over a year.

While I agree they're somewhat cheaply made, a little patience and caution seems to go a long way.

While it's not the "right" way to do it, I just put my all-weather mats on top of the carpeted ones. I've had no issues at all with this setup.

They have rarely moved, and when they do, it's due to my foot causing them to slide a little while getting in/out of the car. I just make sure it's aligned right before driving. The mat has never moved while driving.

 

[BAZINGA]

I've had issues with the grommets on EVERY car I've ever owned, if the accessory mats have the little nib grippers on the bottom I do not snap them onto the grommets. I usually leave the OEM carpet mats in place and just place the rubber mats on top. I've never had any issue with the moving around and it facilates cleaning as all I have to do is lift them out and give them a shake or hose them off.

That's my experience on my 09 SRX, 07 Z06, 06 Corvette, 03 Corvette and even the POS Honda Accord I bought. I don't use the grommets.