Seat Bolts

[BostonKev]

Hi all, I commonly run into auction cars that have the front seat bolts snapped off from them taking out their equipment. I usually just drill them but it seems like a pain in the butt and I was wondering if anyone had a quicker technique for getting these out. I've lightly tried vise grips and heat (without much luck) but I'll take any suggestions. Thank you

[reekor]

Drill the center of the bolt and use an "easy out" after letting the bolt soak in wd-40 over night.

Originally Posted by BostonKev

Hi all, I commonly run into auction cars that have the front seat bolts snapped off from them taking out their equipment. I usually just drill them but it seems like a pain in the butt and I was wondering if anyone had a quicker technique for getting these out. I've lightly tried vise grips and heat (without much luck) but I'll take any suggestions. Thank you

[radioman2002]

As stated above, otherwise I have had the same problems. Mostly I drill out the center and retap, then I put axle grease on the bolt to keep it from rerusting in.

[BostonKev]

I've found the easy outs don't work that great in the older units but I'll try again in the 2 - 2002's I picked up on Sat. A couple times on the 97's I grabbed at the bolt from under the car and ended up pulling the nut and everything out which made it so I had to throw some large bolts and washers all the way through. Is heat (from underneath) not a good idea? I'm generally pretty good with a torch but I'd have to light the rubber floor or carpet on fire.

[BostonKev]

I'm generally pretty good with a torch but I'd "hate" to light the rubber floor or carpet on fire.

[reekor]

Heat works great, but......... You would have to pull back the carpet or rubber mat. Then you will start burning paint and undercoating, it's nothing that you can't spay some rocker guard over once it's done.

Originally Posted by BostonKev

I've found the easy outs don't work that great in the older units but I'll try again in the 2 - 2002's I picked up on Sat. A couple times on the 97's I grabbed at the bolt from under the car and ended up pulling the nut and everything out which made it so I had to throw some large bolts and washers all the way through. Is heat (from underneath) not a good idea? I'm generally pretty good with a torch but I'd have to light the rubber floor or carpet on fire.

[KimMG]

WD-40 is not a good penetrant. Try PB Blaster or something that is designed to penetrate. Let it soak for a couple of days, then use an easy-out.

[BostonKev]

is this something you run into at all W2O? Or would you typically see this when the equipment is removed and say the heck with it?

[way2old]

We have had a few break, but usyally take them out through the bottom as you have said you already tried. You can pull the carpet back and try heat or if you have a torch, not propane, you could melt it out. I don't think the propane will get hot enough to affect the bolt. We sell all our cars as close to proper working order as we can. Hell, we even fill up the tank for the buyer. Have you tried a left handed drill bit? SOmetimes they grab and will break the bolt loose.

[fleettech]

most of the time the reason they break is they are either over tightened or cross threaded have done both myself. what you can also try is welding a nut on the bottom and take it out the bottom.

[BostonKev]

I'll try the easy outs again. It just seems like I'm running into it more lately. I appreciate all the ideas and I'm glad to see I'm not completely alone on this. Thank you

[BostonKev]

Hi all, just wanted to close this out. I have 2 recent 2002's and tried the pb blaster and the easy outs, no luck. I even bought some new bits and tried drilling them through and it took forever to do 1. I've actually found the quickest and easiest way is to user a hammer and a punch right on top of the broken stud and the 3 tiny tack welds that hold the nut under the car let loose and then you just place a 3/8-2" bolt through with a lock nut and some heavy duty washers on each side and you are good to go. I had all 4 out of 1 car in about 10 minutes. Thanks for all the ideas.

[way2old]

Glad you got it kev. Guess persistance pays off.