Cross Threaded a Seat Bolt.

So, Looking under the body I saw a threaded "nut" with a plug in it. On closer inspection the plug was plastic and easily removable.

So I bought a tap (M10 X 1.25) thinking I could clean out the threads and run the tap through the bottom up.

Unfortunately this isn't the threads I was looking for. It's about 2" off. I don't know what this is for. The threads I was looking for are encased by the body. You can't see them from underneath. So I carefully aligned the tap from the top and ran it through. I suppose the purists will be aghast that I substituted cutting oil with WD-40 to clean out the threads and dipped the tap in motor oil several times while working it through the damaged threads.

Worked really well. Used the new bolts and seat jackers had no problems. In the near future if I can find a 10.9 rated M10 1.25 pitch bolt that is 1/4 to 1/2 inch longer I'll replace it to take advantage of any more threads that are currently unused.

 

Probably.......Congrats on your repair, FWIW, to insure you have "enough" thread grip with current length bolts, I would look up the torque specs for the seat mounting bolts (I don't have a clue) and torque to specs. If they hold, you are golden, if not, you didn't get enough thread grip.

 

No worries, WD-40 is fine. It should be tapped from the top as that is where the bolt enters. You should be able to find that bolt at a hardware store. Ace Hardware has a decent collection of high strength metric bolts, in stainless and black oxide. Get some that are longer and shorten them. The right way to shorten is with a lathe, but threading a bolt or die on, cutting it off with an abrasive wheel, chamfering, and cleaning up the threads with the nut or die is fine too.
Another good source (Since your are in So Cal) is King Bolt in Covina. The guy that runs it is super old school which means no web site and you have to call or go in to get things. He has lots of hard to find fasteners. If you can't find it, or need it right now, he is your man. Last time I was in, he was cash only. A bit inconvenient, but he had a line of guys waiting to get in. He had exactly what I needed in stock. Aircraft, automotive, firearms, he seems to have it.

King Bolt
4680 N Grand Ave Covina, CA 91724
(626) 339-8400

 

FMVSS regs require the lap belt to sustain a 3000lb load and the shoulder belt to simultaneously sustain a 3000lb load in order to certify the vehicle. That's a lot of force going down to the floor mounts through that seat belt anchor.

 

I cringe when I see low grade bolts and stacked washers used as a lift. It’s one thing to take a risk with your own life, but quite another with a passenger.