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I need some sort drilling out my seat belt anchor. At this point, I've come to terms with it not coming out and that I will need to destroy it to get it out but I'm at a loss. Here is what is left of it.
Head has been cut off. Hole drilled... Sort of through the center. I couldn't go straight because of the b pillar.
That being said, I'm not even trying to save the threads. I just want it completely out. I try using a larger cobalt but it just spins indefinitely. I tried using the extractor but and it dug in and literally snapped off as you can see in the pick. At this point, I think my only option is to use my grinder and literally grind the welded nut off.
Any thoughts? And seriously, why can't my metal bits (gradually increasing in size) not cut through?
I am no expert.... but what's there gotta come out.... and you gotta put something back... if drilling it out not going well, can you drill a bunch of holes around it? Or kinda use a cut off wheel around it? You could then make a patch with a bolt already welded to it. You can use the installed seats and seat belt as the guide to line up the patch so bolt ends up right where you need it.
Last edited by Truckie256; Apr 12, 2024 at 08:21 PM.
Reason: More info
I’d be more concerned with the structure that’s bolted to imo…
Those aren’t Co bits either. Looks like Hss Co coated or dipped, or what ever they want to call it, not cobalt. Ie, they are cheapo bits.
Not what you wanted to hear, and doesn’t solve your problem either..
I’d start soaking that bolt with penetrating oil, for several days if not couple of weeks. Give it a few taps while it’s soaking to help vibrate the oil in. Get a true cobalt bit (find an industrial supplier), and then go back to your easy outs. Im not a fan of those easy outs either, I prefer a type that are driven in, and use a collar to turn the shank of the easy out.
I have a feeling you’re going to be drilling that right out anyway, and end up rebuilding that corner with a new anchor nut under there. But it’s worth a shot first.
I’d be more concerned with the structure that’s bolted to imo…
Those aren’t Co bits either. Looks like Hss Co coated or dipped, or what ever they want to call it, not cobalt. Ie, they are cheapo bits.
Not what you wanted to hear, and doesn’t solve your problem either..
I’d start soaking that bolt with penetrating oil, for several days if not couple of weeks. Give it a few taps while it’s soaking to help vibrate the oil in. Get a true cobalt bit (find an industrial supplier), and then go back to your easy outs. Im not a fan of those easy outs either, I prefer a type that are driven in, and use a collar to turn the shank of the easy out.
I have a feeling you’re going to be drilling that right out anyway, and end up rebuilding that corner with a new anchor nut under there. But it’s worth a shot first.
Good luck with it.
Really appreciate your insight here. It's the driver's side seat belt anchor bolt. The structure it is attached to is sound. I'm not worried about that. It's why I'm trying to salvage this and not completely cut out.
Also, I tried 8 shops in my area and nobody wants to touch the truck. I get it. I'm not begging them to. But "just take it to a shop" isn't really an option. Doing the best that I can even if it's not going to get the truck ready for cars and coffee.
So what I'm hearing is, I bought chinesium junk off Amazon (not upset, I knew what I was buying). I need to grind off the welded nut off the bottom what will get the bolt out since I already ground the head off. Then I will need to get a nut and try welding it to the bottom somehow.
I still stay penetrating oil for a few days (multiple times a day), some light taps on the nut sides, a couple of good cobalt bits, and your easy outs are worth a try.
You never know, it’d save a lot of extra work if you can back that out, or keep threading through the to the bottom is an option.
Get good high speed steel drill bits from a nut and bolt place
Grind off the bottom portion of the bolt so the drilling is easier (less)
Drill baby drill
There is enough meat there to tap to a bigger size bolt if necessary.
since the head of the bolt is already gone you may be able to take a hammer and chisel and knock that welded on nut off, then just use bolt, washer and nut
I just ended up buying a really expensive single metal bit 1/4".
I went in and out like 10 times wobbling it more and more and more. I was just planning on boring out the hole and using a nut and bolt Eventually, and to my surprise, I shaved enough off the bolt from the inside that the outside threads slipped out.
I don't trust the threads on the welded nut, so I bought. New seat belt bolt off eBay and used a grade 8 nut in addition to the welded nut on the bottom.
I cleaned it up and used rust reformer and then reinstalled. Feeling safe again
I have the seatbelts from Julianos and have mocked up the seat so I can locate the brackets. The upper brackets are marked but I need to figure out the best place for the retractor. The notes with questions are with the pictures.
Any feedback and perspective is welcome!!
Here is the seat mounted for perspective This is where it seems to make the most sense to mount the retractor but would like advice. That's approximate where the retractor would mount and that plate mounts under the cab. Mounting it so part of the bracket sits on the area where the steel is doubled up? Top view of the location. The other bracket is in the wrong spot it is for the latch side of the belt. That is in the last picture. Another top view of the retractor mounting location Same again This looks like where the receiver belt should mount so that the reinforcement bracket covers both of the area where the metal is doubled up.
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