Rusty seat hinges!!??

kachemakian · 03-14-2009, 09:08 AM

Has anyone else had their seat hinges that are welded to the floor get so rusty that they won't move? I have drilled two small holes down to the hinge pins and left them full of rust penetrant for days, and then broke one of them off at the rear bolt hole trying to free it up. Has anyone found a source for the moveable portion of the hinge? Or, am I going to have to fabricate something to carry the rear end of thing that supports my rear end when I am sitting in the car?

jhora · 03-14-2009, 09:24 AM

yes ... I have found more than one rusted solid....not sure if there is a source for repairs but you can find someone that will cut a good one out for you and then weld back in...they are just spot welded to the floor....anyone got some??

ISpeed2day · 05:12 PM

naval jelly. + time + more naval jelly + more time

you can make it stronger by adding about 20% phosphoric acid ( concrete etch ) to your jar of naval jelly.

jhora · 03-17-2009, 06:40 AM

Sulfuric Acid

You have got to be kidding right....you won't have a hinge problem anymore as you won't have one...rather you will have a hole in the floor and what ever is under the car will get very etched...and it is very reactive to water...as in explosive
Maybe you were thinking of Muriatic Acid (Hydrochloric acid)...it is readily available at Lowes / Home Depot and used for pool cleaning....you still have to be very careful in an enclosed area such as your car interior....it does quite well cleaning rusty metal and can be diluted easily with water....it can make the metal brittle as it attacks the rust...
The Naval Jelly is fine....it is Phosphoric acid and works very well like the muriatic acid..if you want a liquid form get Rust Mort brand cleaner/etcher at Lowes/Home Depot...comes in a spray bottle...
Have you tried a little heat from a torch??? keep soaking with WD40, etc....

ISpeed2day · 03-17-2009, 05:13 PM

Yup Phosphoric Acid, sorry about that...

Just use Concrete etch as its only about $10 a gallon.

Thanks John.

infraredcalvin · infraredcalvin's Garage

One of PP competiors sells a repro hinge ready to be welded. I hate to recomend, but PP does not sell the part. Try AA.

kachemakian · 03-21-2009, 09:23 PM

Who is AA? Putting new ones in sounds like the correct way for me to go as I have already broken the outside drivers side hinge at the bolt hole. Are the new ones the same shape and size?

ISpeed2day · 03-22-2009, 03:53 AM

Automobile Atlanta

ask for George make sure they send you new ones. Tell them if they are not new when you get them you will be returning them.

George is a good guy.

kachemakian · 04-12-2009, 08:54 AM

I was finally able to free up all 4 of my seat hinges. The pins on the 2 on the drivers side stay stationary and the 2 on the passengers side turn in the brackets with the hinge, but they all move freely and are now oiled. I was able to line the floor with toilet paper and wet it down with water and then make an aluminum flashing with a small hole in it for the broken one to stick through. I then gas welded it back together and when finished was able to run my 6x1 tap through the hole and repair the threads in it. Amazing how many hours a guy can get into something that goes so unnoticed.