Driver seat broke...

[talon 1]

So I was driving home from work the other day, and I reach back to grab the seat belt, to put it on, and the seat back just falls/reclines backward into the back seat. I drove my car the past two days, and finally got a chance to pull the seat and see what happened. It looks like a bolt that connects the seat back to the seat bottom broke in two places... I'm only 190 pounds, so I know it wasn't from my weight...

Anyway, my question is, can you buy these bolts anywhere? Part of the bolt broke off, and I'll have to punch/drill it out. Should I waste my time on this, or just roll up to the junk yard an shop for a replacement seat? The seat isn't in horrible shape, for what its worth.

[07Burb]

Have you tried looking in a hardware store? You might be able to find something you can use in there.

For what it's worth, I laughed at your expense picturing this happening!! :) Something similar happened to me in a POS saturn I used to own.

[talon 1]

When I told people at work about it, they thought it was hilarious too. Looking back, it is pretty funny, but at the time I was terrified. Driving home on the interstate in my rickety truck with a seat that won't stay in one position wrecked my nerves.

I'll head to Home Depot when the g/f gets home and see what I can find. Looks like I'll need an easy-out kit also. Money money money....

[07Burb]

Oh yeah! That'd definitely rattle the nerves a bit!! I'm surprised you didn't wreck but glad that you didn't, man.

[talon 1]

Fortunately my cruise control still works (of all things, that actually does work right in my truck), so I was able to set the cruise and focus on keeping my body lined up with my mirrors. I'm hoping Home Depot has the bolt though. My Camaro is starting to develop a cooling problem (sticking thermo, radiator failing, etc....?), and fixing this seat is more straight-forward than fixing the car. If it comes down to it, I guess I could bolt the passenger bucket into the driver spot just to commute the next couple days. Seat belts are on the pillar, not in the seats, so I'll be okay with that aspect. Adjusting it could be tricky though...

[talon 1]

****ing update.

1. The "Easy Out" broke off. Sheared off screw is not coming out. I can't get to it from the other side without ripping the seat apart, which I don't consider to be an option.
2. The passenger seat swap didn't work as I thought it would. I tried to move the whole seat over (risers and all), and the bolt pattern of the passenger risers don't match the holes in the driver side.

FML... To be continued this weekend...

[east302]

If it makes you feel better, this guy had the same thing happen to him...

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/showthread.php?312425-I-broke-my-driver-s-seat!!!!

He got the bolt out with an easy-out, but someone suggested cutting a slot in the sheared bolt (dremel) and try using a flat-head screwdriver to get it out. Dunno, worth a shot maybe.

[talon 1]

I actually did read that, but it won't work for me. The bolt is broken off and is recessed to the point that the dremel won't get to it. It really did break just about perfectly in that it is damn near impossible to get to. At this point, now that I've cooled down a bit, I think I'm just going to get new seats and be done with it. My cordless drill is old, and doesn't have enough jack to drill through the bolt. The cost of getting a new drill and getting a new seat are too close, and the new drill doesn't guarantee I'm able to fix the seat (drill the bolt).

[burt]

corded drills general work better for drilling, don't have one of those?
You can get cheap ones for like $20 that will hold up for quite a while

[drobinson.77582]

glad i found this thread , i just bought a 93 ex cab and the drivers seat is the same way , the recent owner had a ice chest in the back seat that im leaning against, havent had a chance to fix it yet .