Seatbelt Bolts Stuck..........Please Help..
 

Well, I am in the middle of installing new carpet and all was going smoothly until the two seatbelt bolts located nearest the transmission tunnel stripped. I am now left with one stripped torx on the passenger side and one bolt with the head cut off on the drivers side. I have tried vise-grips with no luck. Please help with any suggestions, the frustration from this is killing me. I don't want to hack the car up. Also, does anyone know where I can purchase new seatbelt sleeves? Mine are now destroyed from attempting to get these bolts out. Thanks in advance for any help and sorry for the length.

Funny you should ask...I just replaced my drivers-side belt when the latch went south on me. They come one-piece with the latch and sleeve one unit.

I used a breaker bar to loosen the bolt and all went well, but it didn't give easily.
I believe they really air-wrench those babies on the assembly line for safety reasons.

I bought a replacement at the local boneyard for $20.
The sleeve was intact (no cracks) the right color (red)) and I cleaned it up with a little soap, water and Armor-All; looks like new (it was out a '90 - like mine). Easy.

As for removing the now-trashed bolts; Oh boy! This will not be fun without the proper tools. Some heat might help - if you have the carpet out and no insulation around it, but be careful. You can also attempt to use the Vice-Grips and try turning it from under the car where it comes throught the floor.

If all else fails, you may have to drill it out or take it to a shop and let them handle it.

Man, don't torch your car!!

I've found a great penetrant -
the STP spray equivalent of WD40.
Spray those bolts, and let them
soak overnite while spraying several
times. Then get a medium or even
small pipe wrench - they get tighter
on what you're turning the more
torque you put on them. A poor man's
impact is hitting the wrench "sharply"
with a heavy (like 3 lb) hammer - the
wrench needs to be tight on the bolt
with all the slack taken out.
Use the STP then the pipe wrench
& hammer - SOMETHING will give!!
Good luck!!

Thanks for the responses! I'm currently trying the penetrating lube and seeing if these pesky bolts will budge....so far, no dice. Thanks for the help and keep the responses coming. I hope I solve this problem soon.

--UPDATE--
Thank you guys!! After much torching and pipe wrenching the bolts are out. Now, on with the carpet install! Thanks to Mr 5 0 and macx.

8950:

Glad to have been of some help.

Someimes the little jobs can hang you up as much as the big stuff. It's all part of the 'adventure' of doing your own work, but worth it for the satisfaction you get, the automotive education you receive and of course, the money you save.

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