Well, that didn't work.... stripped seat bolt edition.

[2cam]

Hey there Pelicans.

In the process of removing the driver seat of my 3.2 to add a SW chip, I've managed to strip a couple of the seatbolts (even after being incredibly careful not to do so - the metal in the hex head is incredibly soft!). Soooo, off to the store I go for a set of easyouts. Within minutes of returning, I've already managed to break one of the easyouts off in one of the seat bolts.

Any suggestions? These bolts are incredibly tough to access given that they sit down inside the seat rails AND have a seat sitting directly above them with very little room to apply different tools. I'm going to try and reverse the easyout out with a punch and a hammer and will try to notch the head of the seat bolt and try and break it loose with a screwdriver and hammer.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

2cam

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by 2cam

Hey there Pelicans.

In the process of removing the driver seat of my 3.2 to add a SW chip, I've managed to strip a couple of the seatbolts (even after being incredibly careful not to do so - the metal in the hex head is incredibly soft!). Soooo, off to the store I go for a set of easyouts. Within minutes of returning, I've already managed to break one of the easyouts off in one of the seat bolts.

Any suggestions? These bolts are incredibly tough to access given that they sit down inside the seat rails AND have a seat sitting directly above them with very little room to apply different tools. I'm going to try and reverse the easyout out with a punch and a hammer and will try to notch the head of the seat bolt and try and break it loose with a screwdriver and hammer.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

2cam

Are you talking about the bolts that screw into the blocks in the seat rails? Moving the seat around helps, as does penetrating oil if yours are a bit crusty.

[Drymartiniwi]

U can try cutting a slot in with dremel tool or hack saw then a flat bit screw driver. That's what I did.


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[2cam]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Are you talking about the bolts that screw into the blocks in the seat rails? Moving the seat around helps, as does penetrating oil if yours are a bit crusty.

Yes. Those bolts. I've moved the seat as far forward as possible to get access to the bolts but there's only so much room. I may have to give them a shot of of penetrating oil. I was trying not to use one of the oils and stink up the interior with it, but may have to give in at this stage. Thanks for the suggestion.

Originally Posted by Drymartiniwi

U can try cutting a slot in with dremel tool or hack saw then a flat bit screw driver. That's what I did.


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Glad to hear that worked for you! I'm going to try that as well once I remove the jagged remainder of the easyout from the bolt. Fingers crossed that it cooperates.

2cam

[megerian]

FYI - not that it helps your situation, but I installed my SW chip in my '88 without removing the seat.

[2cam]

Originally Posted by megerian

FYI - not that it helps your situation, but I installed my SW chip in my '88 without removing the seat.

I believe that there was enough clearance on my '86 as well. However, I wanted to pull the seat, clean/vacuum out from under it, install the SW chip, lube up the rails and anything else that needed attention and bolt it all back together. Now, I have an obligation to fix it and not leave a stripped seat bolt with a jagged part of a tool stuck in it in place.

Texbike

[manbridge 74]

See these a lot. Round hole means I'm walking it out with a hammer and chisel. Not that difficult. Use new bolts of the correct grade/strength.

[john walker's workshop]

You don't need to take the seat out for that job.

[Flojo]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

You don't need to take the seat out for that job.

what does this info help when damage is already done and needs an other solution?

@2cam: you have a picture of your fail pls?

[T77911S]

did the same on my 930.


I tack welded the allen to the bolt, removed the bolt then cut the weld off and removed the allen.

I put cardboard all inside the car to isolate the weld.

had to do this quite a bit. did same on bolt for tranny oil pan on the MB, one of those screws that holds a brake rotor on, the bolt on a strut to remove the inards to install a cartridge.

I don't know how I got along without a welder for so many years.

[2cam]

Originally Posted by manbridge 74

See these a lot. Round hole means I'm walking it out with a hammer and chisel. Not that difficult. Use new bolts of the correct grade/strength.

Great. Thanks. This is going to be my next step after removing the broken easyout. Fortunately, I had the foresight to order a set of new bolts just in case.

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

You don't need to take the seat out for that job.

Thanks John. I was looking to do a couple of other things along with replacing the chip, so decided to pull the seat.

Originally Posted by Flojo

@2cam: you have a picture of your fail pls?

I'll post one this evening when I get home. The easyout left a nice, jagged point sticking up.

Originally Posted by T77911S

did the same on my 930.


I tack welded the allen to the bolt, removed the bolt then cut the weld off and removed the allen.

I put cardboard all inside the car to isolate the weld.

had to do this quite a bit. did same on bolt for tranny oil pan on the MB, one of those screws that holds a brake rotor on, the bolt on a strut to remove the inards to install a cartridge.

I don't know how I got along without a welder for so many years.

Interesting. Thanks for the suggestion. I REALLY hope that it doesn't come to this, but I'll keep it in mind if the hammer and chisel approach doesn't work.

2cam

[yelcab1]

I had to drill them out....