Cross threaded seat bolts!!!

[nmh]

Hi everyone,

This is a bit embarrassing but I have managed to cross thread not one but two of the bolts holding down my Elise passenger seat! I have some practical ideas as to how to deal with it but is there anyone on here that has done the same thing and if so how was it sorted out. Not suggesting that anyone has btw.

Cheers.

[philygumbo]

Oh dear, you may need to run a tap down the thread but dont unless you have to you could it right up.
Why censored? thats a well known high street brand name.


>> Edited by philygumbo on Sunday 12th February 17:55

[hbaumhardt]

Arno who is well informed had some opinions (based on fact and experience) on rethreading or tapping out the seat fixings from M8 to M10 ... I seem to remember it was "be careful, there is not a lot of side wall material". This is not an infrequent occurance and I'd check the official line with a Lotus dealer.

[scuffham]

if it's the front bolts then you are in trouble...

they are only M8 weld nut's glued into the chassis rails, they are VERY small, and re-tapping them is probably not practical....

[nmh]

Thanks for the replies,

I have had a look at the bolts and they do appear to be rounded on some of the thread. It might be a case of replacing the bolts, I hope anyway, if not then I will have to remove the original thread as you have said.
Naturally it's only the passenger seat thats causing the problem as the bolts are hard to reach. I guess I like a challenge. There must be a bespoke tool that I could get hold of for next time, just incase.

[philygumbo]

I don't mean retap the hole just use the same size tap to clean up the first couple of threads which are damaged. You can't have done that much harm unless you are a complete numpty.
Phil.

[Buster44]

The threads are easily damaged especially if the seats are removed frequently.

I solved the problem with a damaged rear thread on my passenger seat by drilling through the nut with a drill bit the same size as the original bolt to underneath the car. I then used a longer bolt, large penny washer and lock nut to secure the seat.

Seeing how easily the treads are damaged, I feel this solution is probably a lot more rubust at securing the seat than the original captive nut.