I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: Removing car seat bolt
Was planning to raise my RF car seat up a bit with some longer bolts and washers.
I managed to remove the two rear bolts (below the seat) and one at the front of the seat(near the gear box).
However, the bolt nearest the door already seems a bit rounded and the socket just keep slipping.
I am using a 3/8" socket which worked fine with the other 3 bolts and they came away with a bit of effort.
I also tried some wd40 on the base of the bolt (below the flange) and left it for a while - but no joy.
Any ideas how I can this 4th bolt off? e.g. Is there a specific socket I can buy for the star shaped bolt which may work better?
Even if it means destroying the bolt - as I can probably replace with the one from the rear which I wont need anymore.
if rounded off, try a slightly smaller socket (consider imperial to get intermediate size) and hammer it on, then open. WD40 and leave for a while is a help. If not then use Dremel on sides to square it off and use conventional spanner to turn. Sometimes impact rather than steadily increasing pressure helps, so try hitting wrench with hammer.
That looks like a normal 14mm hex headed bolt that has already been chewed up. The largest star socket I have is a E20 and thats too small. You really needed to get to the other side of the fixing which should be a weld nut on the underside. Clean that up with a wire brush and apply releasing fluid (please not std WD40). Leave for a while then see what socket you can hammer on. You might try to tighten it a bit and see if that helps unfreeze it. If all else fails then cut the head off with a dremel you only then have the threaded stub left to deal with.
Good Luck!
Thanks - did think of the smaller socket idea (thats how I removed a a worn locking wheel nut around 30 yrs ago!!) - but the smallest sockets I had were the 3/8" and 10mm
I went and bought a TX star set from Screwfix - but got home and realised they are 3/8" connectors and my socket wrench is 1/2" - DOH!
So, will be heading back to get a 3/8" wrench.
If that dont work I will have to try @alben 's suggestions.
Cheers.
I have a set of these for just such occasions. Only needed to use them a couple of times in the last 15 years, but they have got me out of a sticky situation.
Firstly, get a 6 sided socket and tap it on.
It’s always the multi point sets that tend to round off.
Failing that will a good set of mole grips clamp on?
Also if all that fails an easy out set.
If you have a Dremel then cut a slot straight across the head and use a screwdriver. Failing that, you can use a chisel and hammer on the head to knock it round. Bit drastic, but if all else fails.
I echo several others on two points:- definitely not WD40, use proper penetrating oil such as Plus Gas; and a good set of Mole grips clamped on the bolt head as tight as you can get them.
Additionally, at the same time as you are pushing hard to turn the Mole grips, get a friend to get a punch or a drift firmly into the hole where the star bit would go and repeatedly belt it with a hammer to create a kind of impact driver effect.
I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck shifting it!
So, even with the tx star sockets set, it won’t budge. Tried hammering a smaller socket but that did not help - once we attach an extension bar and try to rotate, the socket slips off - due to the awkward angle of the bolt
In the end I removed the other 3 bolts and was able to lift the seat rails high enough to insert just over an inch of washers and raise the seat by an inch.
Will see how it goes for now and maybe try again one other weekend with the Dremel or mole grips approach.
Thanks. I’m in Redbridge.
Current plan is to see how I get on with the 1in increase. Apparently the maximum I could do is 40mm before the RF roof starts catching the top of the chair when opening and closing…
There’s a few of us on this forum within a 20 minute drive of you, myself included. Let us know if you need a hand…I also have a couple of impact drivers which would make life easier…
A trick I’ve heard of but never tried is to weld a sacrificial socket onto the offending nut. Then unwind it with a socket bar. Wishing you success in whatever method you try
For bolts that have had the head sheared off or the corners of the bolts worn down, I find that a bolt extractor works.
Just drill the centre of the bolt head, then using the extractor in a tap and die spanner gently turn the bolt until it comes out. You may need to use some sort of penetrating oil to help loosen it.
I have ordered a set of rounded bolt removers - seems like the easiest option. I dont have a driveway or garage - so easier than the Dremmel + extension cable etc. Also, not sure the mole grips will be ideal given the awkard angle etc.
If the bolt removers do not work then I will explore other options.
I went for a short drive on Monday and the 1in raise seems to be making a difference.
