Right, since putting my leather interior in, my driver's seat has been slightly loose on the front left corner. You can feel it moving when leaning back on the seat.

I've had the whole interior out today to find out what's going on.

The bolt is no longer gripping the nut, and is almost going straight through. Obviously it's been misthreaded or something at some point.

I thought I'd simply be able to replace the captive nut, but after stripping everything out, I find out it's welded in. :(

Short of re-tapping the nut to a bigger thread and using a bigger bolt, can anything else be done?

Well, in the life time of the car i'd only expect the seats to be taken out once if that. If it was me i'd cover it in locktight, get the bolt as tight as it'll go before slipping and leaving it to set.

Failing that id do the same but with a new bolt hoping it will have better threads or use a slightly bigger bolt forcing it in.... Bit of a bodge that one though!

Dont know any safety implications involved either, should be fine providing the other three are ok :/

Edited 5 May, 201214 yr by hutchysrs50

Another (safer) option would be to use a Helicoil thread repair insert.

You have to use a special tap to cut the thread to a larger diameter but with the same pitch. Then the insert can be threaded in. Helicoil kits are available on ebay.

Another vote for Helicoil, having seen a car with the roof ripped back to the rear and the seats twisted from the impact (horse at 70mph) I'd not want to think what could have happened if a bolt was bodged with glue.

I've never used helicoil before but interested in buying my own set off ebay now

I thought helicoils were only for deep-set bolts such as engines, and spark plugs. Would you be able to insert a helicoil into a thin captive nut? Surely it would be much easier just to retap and use a larger bolt?

Well I tapped it out and the new bigger bolt has gone in fine

Having looked at the old thread again, it was properly knackered so I was left with little option but to tap it out to a bigger thread.

Had to use my ingenuity to be able to turn the handle on the tap though as the center console got in the way a bit, but it all seems sorted