Need some advice on rear seat belt bolt

[ChemMan]

I am working on the drivers side rear seat lap belt. Before even beginning, the bolt looked rounded out. I tried 17mm which I believe it was in the first place but no luck. The 16 mm is too small. I tried vice grips but the head of the bolt is very skinny and the vice grips slip of. I had an idea (note: not a good idea) and thought that drilling the bolt would help. No luck. Not I have a stuck bolt with a hole in it.

Any idea how to get this thing out. I have found cursing at it in a various languages does not help either

[DonMo]

I used PB Blaster followed by vise grips, needless to say I had to replace the bolts. Not cheap.

[crater64]

I followed the same approach as DonMo. Repeated blasts of PB Blaster, plus patience in letting it soak the threads, is important. It's also helpful to actually try to tighten the bolts a little bit, then back them off. This way I was able to get my bolts loosened without having to apply heat.

FWIW an 11/16" socket fit the rear seat belt bolts on my 70T.

[Oh Haha]

if you can't get it out, call me. I'll be home Tuesday, at some point. I'm sure I have a tool that'll get that baby out.

I have some replacement bolts if you need any.

[javadog]

You can buy special sockets for removing damaged bolts. They grip the bolt head in the middle of the flats. Find some that can be used with an impact driver and use that. 17mm is what you need.
JR

[leeb51]

If memory serves me correctly, the rear belt bolts are not metric but SAE. You may want to do a search on theis forum, but I am pretty sure they are SAE.

[ChemMan]

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

if you can't get it out, call me. I'll be home Tuesday, at some point. I'm sure I have a tool that'll get that baby out.

I have some replacement bolts if you need any.

I have the bolt soaking in PB blaster. I'll go out and give it a try in a bit.

You may be getting a call tomorrow

I have not even messed with the passenger side. That bolt head looks pretty intact. The one I am messing with now was "worked" on by someone before. Not that it matters since it has been rounded even more by me.

[ChemMan]

Originally Posted by javadog

You can buy special sockets for removing damaged bolts. They grip the bolt head in the middle of the flats. Find some that can be used with an impact driver and use that. 17mm is what you need.
JR

I probably will have to run out and a set tonight.

[donporfi]

leeb51
The threads are SAE all the seat belts worldwide have 7/16 fine thread bolts, it is a standard.
Although the threads are SAE the heads can be SAE, metric, torx, socket cap metric or SAE.

[donporfi]

You can use these sockets

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952166000P?keyword=bolt+out+set

[toddu]

Originally Posted by donporfi

You can use these sockets

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952166000P?keyword=bolt+out+set

This set works perfect!!!

I had the same issue about 6 mos ago.

Todd

[javadog]

Just to clarify, the threads are 7/16 SAE as mentioned but the heads are 17mm.

JR

[ChemMan]

Originally Posted by toddu

This set works perfect!!!

I had the same issue about 6 mos ago.

Todd

Ran down to sears. Picked up this set. Bolt was out in under a minute. Right tool for the job!

[myamoto1]

As others have mentioned, the bolts are SAE fine thread and can be replaced for very little money. It won't be a factory Porsche part, but unless you're going concours, I think the savings is worth it. I bought mine from Schroth.

[white99c2]

I recently installed rear belts in my car that had them removed who knows when. The bolts are 17MM and it was a bear to crush the carpet and get them in.

[donporfi]

The bolt head is 17mm but the bolt thread is 7/16 fine .