Franklin229

OK I feel totally silly- but here goes:
I have Sport Seats ready to install. I start to remove my old seats, using a hex socket driver. I get down to the last bolt on the passenger side seat rail and for some reason it's on there (read-bolted to the center of the earth!). So me being rather "eager", give some muscle and in a flash, the head strips. Tried the center punch to the side technique. I put a slot in the top of the bolt but it's a tight spot for a screw driver. Any advice on this would be much appreciated, ie: tools to use, techniques etc..Trying to avoid going to the dealer 'cause I won't be able to until spring. FYI anyone: As soon as I complete this job, I'll have some EX black partial leather power seats for sale w/embossed crests....

Glen

Gee Franklin ,We have never done anything silly like that while working on my car(not more than once a day anyway!) <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> ! Can You get a dremel in to cut the head off? I have done that before and after the pressure is off the rest of the bolt backed right out with an easy out..hope that helps!

vjd3

The seat rail will block a Dremel ... I have a stripped bolt on my driver's seat as well, curious as to what's the best procedure for getting that sucker out.

In the future, give the driver a good solid tap with a mallet when you put it in the bolt to make sure it seats all the way, then apply torque. Those bolts are soft as hell. And it's *always* the last one that strips.

Vic
95 C4

Flying Finn

If nothing works, put a hex tool in it and weld the tool in. Just a little mig weld 'dot', so that you won't burn or mess anything.

That should get it open.

Greg Fishman

Good advice here. Another option that was sent to me many ages ago when I did this was to take a hex tool that is one size larger and file it down until it gets to size.

Mr Michael B

This happened to a pal of mines 1997... He called in distress one day w/ the same issue. I told him to chisel into the edge of the hex head and get it spinning that way (he has ZERO tools, just maybe a screwdriver and a hammer).

He called a few minutes later saying that it turned and came out.

Franklin229

Thanks everyone-I'll be at it again this weekend.

E. J. - 993 Alumni

I have changed my seats enough, you would think I would know the answer to this question: can you get a drill and large drill bit on it? If so, just drill off the head, remove the seat, and then use vice grips to spin out the bolt shaft.

Good luck.

E. J.

Gert

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by Michael B.:
[QB]I told him to chisel into the edge of the hex head and get it spinning that way (he has ZERO tools, just maybe a screwdriver and a hammer).
QB]</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">I'm using this methode too whenever there is a stripped seat bolt.
It always works.

chris walrod

get a standard (imperial) size allen that is just the next size larger and try to tap it in with a hammer. Good luck, hope it comes out.

It figures though, its always the last bolt that you need to remove in-order to proceed with a certain project.

Chris

Flying Finn

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by Greg Fishman:
<strong>Good advice here. Another option that was sent to me many ages ago when I did this was to take a hex tool that is one size larger and file it down until it gets to size.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">This will do it.

I've used this few time & always managed to get bolt open.

Just remember not to file it too much, keep it little too big & hammer it in (make the tip a tiny bit smaller than rest of it).

Jeff 993TT

Maybe this is already obvious to everybody, but be sure that you have raised your seat completely up to get more clearance.

Jeff

Chris C.

I am swapping seats again and will be replacing those soft bolts this time, since I am close to stripping 2 or 3 of them. Good topic, good luck!

Tim Ashfield

I agree with Michael B and Gert but would use a bluntish chisel rather than screwdriver to cut a better purchase on the head. I start by creating a V shaped cut in the head by using the chisel at 90 degrees to the surface and aimed slightly downwards to minimise the chance of the chisel simply skipping off the surface and doing damage to other parts.Then reduce the angle so subsequent blows are aimed at the correct side of the V to turn the head in the appropriate direction. With a bit of care the bolt should not be difficult to get out. OK you ruin the bolt head but it needs replacing anyway and the chisel can always be re-ground. Best of luck and watch those knuckles!!

kev

Another vote from experience for turing the screw with a hammer and some driving instrument. I used a centerpunch versus a "chisel".
Good luck.