How the hell do you remove the Tamora seats?

[nightSpirit]

I'm not one to easily give up on a task but the seats of the Tam have baffled me. The rear nuts come out easily but the 2 fronts are attached to loose bolts in the runners, so after a turn the whole bolt spins and won't loosen. The bolt head (12mm?) is too tight in the runner to get anything onto it to stop it spinning.

Any thoughts?

[Andy Pandie]

Flatblade screwdriver between the bolt head and runner?

[nightSpirit]

I've been trying that Andie, might need a bigger blade but so far no success. Wonder how they did it at the factory?

[Andy Pandie]

I take it there isn't enough room to get an open ended spanner 'end on' to the bolt head? or maybe try tilting/lifting the seat so there is pressure on the underside of the head? Can't think of anything else to try at the moment.

[nightSpirit]

too narrow for that sadly. Tilting the seat also doesn't seem to work (especially with refitting them). It's a bugger.

[Geoff Ashcroft]

PM my brother, Barry - he's had his seats in and out plenty of times

[G20RG B]

I'm sure most people use the flat head screwdriver wedged between the bolt and the runner, failing that you could grind the bolts off,then replace them with new ones. I would like to remove my seats at some time, so let us know how you get on!.

[blackiepaul]

G20RG B said:

I'm sure most people use the flat head screwdriver wedged between the bolt and the runner, failing that you could grind the bolts off,then replace them with new ones. I would like to remove my seats at some time, so let us know how you get on!.

Spot on - grind them off or use a bolt splitter. Takes 5 minutes to sort and a quick journey to get some new bolts

[Barry Ashcroft]

Andy Pandie said:

Flatblade screwdriver between the bolt head and runner?

Tis the only way a bit of a bodge by the factory but then that's nothing new.

I replaced all mine with stainless skt caps (allen heads)
For the fronts you will need to modify an allen key (cut it short)
For the rears you have to release the subframe to get the bolts in.

I can now remove my seats in minutes

[YRRunner]

blackiepaul said:

G20RG B said:

I'm sure most people use the flat head screwdriver wedged between the bolt and the runner, failing that you could grind the bolts off,then replace them with new ones. I would like to remove my seats at some time, so let us know how you get on!.

Spot on - grind them off or use a bolt splitter. Takes 5 minutes to sort and a quick journey to get some new bolts

Preferably not in the car you've just taken the seats out of!

[blackiepaul]

YRRunner said:

blackiepaul said:

G20RG B said:

I'm sure most people use the flat head screwdriver wedged between the bolt and the runner, failing that you could grind the bolts off,then replace them with new ones. I would like to remove my seats at some time, so let us know how you get on!.

Spot on - grind them off or use a bolt splitter. Takes 5 minutes to sort and a quick journey to get some new bolts

Preferably not in the car you've just taken the seats out of!

Good point - make sure you have another car spare.

[shep1001]

Been there done that...


As has been said. Grind the little bds off, re-fit with SS cap head bolts and cut an allen key down to hold them in. The frame needs to be stripped to replace the bolts but thats an easy job.


Don't forget the copper slip to make the job easy next time. Screw fix sell the bolts.


Shep

Edited by shep1001 on Monday 20th December 20:24

[nightSpirit]

hehe, I love TVR!

I will replace with hex head bolts on the fronts then and grind them off from below then pop out from the top. Will be after christmas now but pics to follow for anyone who cares

Mark