retapping hole? my seat wont bolt down

[mkiv98]

So it seems that one of the holes that bolts my seat down is stripped...aka I can't get the bolt in there. Since I'm kind of a noob mechanic, could someone tell me what tool I need and how to take care of the problem? It would be greatly appreciated!

[reinvent]

Originally Posted by mkiv98

So it seems that one of the holes that bolts my seat down is stripped...aka I can't get the bolt in there. Since I'm kind of a noob mechanic, could someone tell me what tool I need and how to take care of the problem? It would be greatly appreciated!

use some muscle. or weld it.

[Alpha Residence]

Helicoil inserts would fix that problem just tap the hole a size bigger than stock and use a helicoil insert.

[neverrain]

wtf are you guys talking about ^^

Muscle? Yes, let's muscle in the stripped bolts that hold the seat to the floor. Good idea. I'll leave the "weld it" comment alone.

Inserts would work, but it's more of a pain in the ass than he needs.

Just get a tap, as in tap and die. The exact same thing happened to me and I just ran a tap through the hole. Needed very little pressure to get through and it worked perfectly. Don't try to reuse the old stripped bolts though. Go to Home Depot and replace them.

Harbor Frieght Tap and Die set - 40 pc metric $12.99 (cheap for this set) - Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
Make sure that set has the size you need. I don't remember it off the top of my head.

[FaLKoN240]

Originally Posted by neverrain

wtf are you guys talking about ^^

Muscle? Yes, let's muscle in the stripped bolts that hold the seat to the floor. Good idea. I'll leave the "weld it" comment alone.

Inserts would work, but it's more of a pain in the ass than he needs.

Just get a tap, as in tap and die. The exact same thing happened to me and I just ran a tap through the hole. Needed very little pressure to get through and it worked perfectly. Don't try to reuse the old stripped bolts though. Go to Home Depot and replace them.

Freight and Harbor Tap and Die set - 40 pc metric $12.99 (cheap for this set) - Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
Make sure that set has the size you need. I don't remember it off the top of my head.

Thank you for having a quality post. Some people on this forum shouldn't be allowed to post.

[ryguy]

Originally Posted by reinvent

use some muscle. or weld it.

Originally Posted by Alpha Residence

Helicoil inserts would fix that problem just tap the hole a size bigger than stock and use a helicoil insert.

The fuck is wrong with you guys? Weld it?

Why go through the trouble of helicoil when you can just retap or at worst retap for a bigger bolt?

Originally Posted by neverrain

wtf are you guys talking about ^^

Inserts would work, but it's more of a pain in the ass than he needs.

Just get a tap, as in tap and die. The exact same thing happened to me and I just ran a tap through the hole. Needed very little pressure to get through and it worked perfectly. Don't try to reuse the old stripped bolts though. Go to Home Depot and replace them.

Harbor Frieght Tap and Die set - 40 pc metric $12.99 (cheap for this set) - Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
Make sure that set has the size you need. I don't remember it off the top of my head.

A set of taps and dies is worth the money you pay if you plan on doing a lot of your own work, especially on an older car that has already been messed with by the previous owner.

Originally Posted by mkiv98

Since I'm kind of a noob mechanic

KISS guys, a tap and die should be very easy for a beginner mechanic. What are the chances that a beginner mechanic even has a welder?

[Def]

I've found that 9 times out of 10, if you ever rotate the bolt after it has already stripped out, the threads are junk and retapping them the same size isn't going to help much.

Just step up to the next size and drill out the appropriate sized hole for the tap size. Nissan's thankfully used nuts with tons of extra meat on them, so this is possible in almost every location I can think of in the car on a welded nut on the frame.

[HellaSlowAndOld]

and ur done

very easy and u can rent this set at ur local autozone...good luck!

[mkiv98]

thanks for all the info guys! this is easily the best section on zilvia

[alkemyst]

Originally Posted by Alpha Residence

Helicoil inserts would fix that problem just tap the hole a size bigger than stock and use a helicoil insert.

If you are tapping it a size larger you don't need a helicoil.

[TanaMU]

heh, same damn thing happened to me. I drilled the hole out a minimal amount and tapped it. bought some grade 8 bolts (pay attention to the grade of bolts you buy to replace the stockers) and it was done. Just be super careful to tap it straight. :P

[S13-KA24DET]

I just welded a stud and used a nut

[Matej]

One of my seat bolts was cross threaded, and it ripped out the the entire hole with it. I had a nut of the same size/thread pattern welded in the hole's place.

[Ninjabread]

I just run on 3 bolts. lol.

Oops.

[alkemyst]

Those those having problems drilling into 'hard' metal. You need to go slow, use some cutting oil; as soon as you overheat the bit it's pretty much worthless...drilling is a case where faster isn't always better.

[mkiv98]

Originally Posted by Ninjabread

I just run on 3 bolts. lol.

Oops.

on my stock seat, i believe this is the cause of my seat eventually twisting and getting all fucked up

[alkemyst]

Originally Posted by mkiv98

on my stock seat, i believe this is the cause of my seat eventually twisting and getting all fucked up

it'd will eventually cause a failure if you only use three bolts. Whatever rail only has one bolt will keep shifting side to side until the bolted side shears off.

If anything do something to at least pin it in place.

[mkiv98]

Originally Posted by alkemyst

it'd will eventually cause a failure if you only use three bolts. Whatever rail only has one bolt will keep shifting side to side until the bolted side shears off.

If anything do something to at least pin it in place.

I got a old recaro in there now...ended up using a lag screw of the same size (3/8" x 1") from Home Depot and it was quick, easy, and works well.

[windshieldwiper]

Originally Posted by alkemyst

Those those having problems drilling into 'hard' metal. You need to go slow, use some cutting oil; as soon as you overheat the bit it's pretty much worthless...drilling is a case where faster isn't always better.

thats interesting. why is the bit useless with it is hot? does it become soft? what is the best type of drill for drill out steel bolts. i have a 14 volt rechargeable drill which is quite slow. thanks.

[alkemyst]

Originally Posted by windshieldwiper

thats interesting. why is the bit useless with it is hot? does it become soft? what is the best type of drill for drill out steel bolts. i have a 14 volt rechargeable drill which is quite slow. thanks.

Hot is one thing...overheating another.

If you overheat a bit it loses it's temper and becomes useless.

[ryguy]

Originally Posted by alkemyst

Hot is one thing...overheating another.

If you overheat a bit it loses it's temper and becomes useless.

Not to mention it "glazes" the surface being drilled. Slow and firm pressure always wins.

[boske]

Your rechargeable drill won't be too fast. As much as I hate battery powered tools, the drills usually work pretty well with their high torque and low speed.