Rear Seat Bolt Stripped - HELP

T

TheDozer

New member
Hi All,

Long story short but after removing all of my interior and putting my rear seats back in, I switched some of the bolts and ended up stripping/cross threading one pretty good when I was bolting it back. I'm pretty sure there are 2 different sizes for those bolts back there and I forced the wrong one in there. It's in there 90% of the way but 10% is FUBAR and not secure as it should be. As such it's rattling my back left seat when I hit large bumps and I'm sure not 100% safe as it could be. Yeaaaah, go ahead and make fun of me, I deserve it. :wow::wow::wow:

With that said:

Does anyone know what size bolts are used to bolt down the rear seats?
Can I buy new bolts online or should I look at more hardened ones to try and bolt in there?

My worry is that the bolt it threads into is all boogered up too. Thoughts on getting one of those tools to "re-tap" the threads (if it's possible) or just use a hardened bolt to get it done then never touch it again?

Thoughts? Comments? HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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Take the same sized bolt out of the other seat. Take it to the hardware store, they can tell you what it is (size/threads).

Buy a tap (and new bolt) that size and try to clean out the existing threads in the NUT - you may get lucky and get the threads cleaned up such that they'll accept a new bolt.

If not, you'll need the next size tap and new bolt.

If you don't understand this procedure, find a buddy who does - not all that hard if you know how.
 
philsey said:
Take the same sized bolt out of the other seat. Take it to the hardware store, they can tell you what it is (size/threads).

Buy a tap (and new bolt) that size and try to clean out the existing threads in the NUT - you may get lucky and get the threads cleaned up such that they'll accept a new bolt.

If not, you'll need the next size tap and new bolt.

If you don't understand this procedure, find a buddy who does - not all that hard if you know how.
Click to expand...

Thank you.
 
TheDozer said:
Hi All,

Long story short but after removing all of my interior and putting my rear seats back in, I switched some of the bolts and ended up stripping/cross threading one pretty good when I was bolting it back. I'm pretty sure there are 2 different sizes for those bolts back there and I forced the wrong one in there. It's in there 90% of the way but 10% is FUBAR and not secure as it should be. As such it's rattling my back left seat when I hit large bumps and I'm sure not 100% safe as it could be. Yeaaaah, go ahead and make fun of me, I deserve it. :wow::wow::wow:

With that said:

Does anyone know what size bolts are used to bolt down the rear seats?
Can I buy new bolts online or should I look at more hardened ones to try and bolt in there?

My worry is that the bolt it threads into is all boogered up too. Thoughts on getting one of those tools to "re-tap" the threads (if it's possible) or just use a hardened bolt to get it done then never touch it again?

Thoughts? Comments? HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

I see your in Austin. If you get the stuff from the hardware store and don't feel comfortable doing it, let me know I'd be willing to help you out. I work in N. Austin and you could bring it by the shop or my place. Just an FYI.
 
Soneill said:
I see your in Austin. If you get the stuff from the hardware store and don't feel comfortable doing it, let me know I'd be willing to help you out. I work in N. Austin and you could bring it by the shop or my place. Just an FYI.
Click to expand...

If you break the welded nut loose trying to get it out you could always drill it and through-bolt it, as long as you can get to the back side. Use loc-tite.
 
Soneill said:
I see your in Austin. If you get the stuff from the hardware store and don't feel comfortable doing it, let me know I'd be willing to help you out. I work in N. Austin and you could bring it by the shop or my place. Just an FYI.
Click to expand...

I've never re-threaded a bolt before and I really don't want to screw this up. I might take you up on that.
 
Seat bolt stripped

Yes, 3 of the bolts are larger where they bolt down the seat belts. If you can get the bolt out without shearing off the nut that's welded in place, throw it away. Get a new metric bolt from the dealer or any other source. Tap the threads with the same size tap. Install the new bolt with a bit of thick oil. If it doesn't tap out clean then enlarge the threads and get a larger bolt to fit the new thread size.

Never turn a nut that doesn't rotate easily by hand. :fear:

I take my back seats out all the time for camping. When I put them back I apply a tiny bit of heavy weight oil so it comes out easy. If you look down some of these bolt holes you'll see a small hole right through the floor of the truck. It's open to below. That's another good reason to leave some oil on the threads.
 
I think I have it worse off. I took my seats out too, and one of the bolts wasn't going back in as easy -- so in my frustration, I turned too much and the dang weld-nut pooped through the sheet metal.

My only solution will be to have a welder cut out a section and re-weld in a new piece of sheet metal with new weld-nut.

(if there are any welders in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area - I need some help) :hello:
 
Were you able to get the bad bolt out? If not, try prying up one side of the bolt head while turning with a wrench. Another option is to cut the head off so you can remove the seat and have access to remove what's left.
 
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