Back Seat Headache

[GreenJeep10]

Hello All, We had company this holiday weekend and I thought I would put the back seat back in my 97 Wrangler. I placed the seat bar between the two back seat brackets and proceeded to put the clips on the ends only to drop one of them between the seat bracket and the left rear fender well. As I tried to retrieve it it only slipped farther down into the somewhat bottomless pit due to the carpeting. I thought no problem I will remove the bracket and get the clip. Seconds later I had twisted one and then the other bolt off that held the seat bracket. I was alittle upset. I then noticed that the underside of my Sahara has an undercoating than I think messed up the treads of the bolts. Anyway anyone know the best way to get the bolts out as brake lines are very near underneath. Any suggestions would be greatly helpful. If not I might have a back seat to get rid of. Thanks GreenJeep10

[macdad626]

They make a magnetic tool that looks like a pen that has a magnetic end that extends out. I use one at work....being a plumber tiny bolts and screws sometimes end there way up in a tough spot and The tool does the job everytime. You can probably get one at a hardware store

[fredjacksonsan]

When you say you twisted off the bolt, do you mean from above? I'm picturing that you were trying to unscrew the bolt from above and the head twisted off; my reply below goes from that perspective.

You should be able to get underneath and cut the undercoating from around the bolt and pull it out. You could also try hammering while using a punch from the top to work the bolt out.

[GreenJeep10]

Yes the bolts were snapped off from the top. When I tried to loosen them they were tight. I turned them about 2 turns and then nothing. I put some WD40 on them and let them set for abit. I tried to turn them down one turn to get the lube down in the treads and snap! I didn't even turn them one bit. The bottom of the bolts are sticking through the bottom about 1/4 inch. Problem is the brake lines run close to them. I am worried if I tap and drill them out that I might get into the brake line. I guess I will just have to try it and see. Unless I have someone weld the seat bracket into the Jeep. Thanks GJ10

[fredjacksonsan]

Sounds like the tap and drill operation should be done from the bottom to avoid making extra work....

[Saxonwolf]

I know its too late, but just for future reference. Instead of using WD40 for stubborn nuts and bolts, get yourself a good penetrating lubricant. You can get it at all automotive stores. WD40 isnt actually a lubricant altho it kinda works. The WD in the name stands for Water Displacement, and the 40 is formula #40

[GreenJeep10]

The problem was the bolts stick through the bottom of the Warngler that was undercoated and messed up the threads. I dont think anything sprayed from the top would have helped. I should have inspected better before breaking out the socket wrench. Hind sight is always 20/20.