Firewall insulation install

[dmcgillis]

Who's installed firewall insulation recently, and how did you get the rubber plugs (a.k.a. Firewall Insulation Clips) through the firewall?
When you push them, they mushroom out and don't fit. I've tried soapy water to slip them through, and it doesn't help.
Is there an easy way to pull them through the firewall?
They're a real pain in the butt.

 

[MPBoxer]

They are difficult. I may have added a little grease, but I do remember getting a helper on the engine side with some pliers. Be careful not to damage them though. I was able to get them in with a fat mat material and new insulation.

 

[Divyaseo]

Yeah, those firewall insulation clips are notoriously stubborn. The trick is to lightly coat the rubber plugs with grease, then use a small pick or needle-nose pliers from the engine side to pull them through instead of pushing. Warming the plugs with a heat gun or hot water also helps soften them so they don’t mushroom out. Still a pain in the butt—but that combo usually gets the job done.