Cobra4B

Installing the ultrasheld in the panoz using the Hardbar seat mounts I had for the corvette. Had to drill new holes to meet up w/ the panoz chassis and the rear bolt heads are not accessible with the seat in. The bolts go down through the frame and use a lock nut under the car.

So.... I need to bolt heads tacked in place so I can tighten the nut on them. The seat rails are aluminum. A local body shop near me didn't have the rigth welding rod and the weld he tried popped right off.

I need this back bolt to be locked in place before I put the seat in:


I got some of this Permatex metal epoxy:


Would it work? Or shold I take it all to a shop and have them weld 2 strips of aluminum plate to either side of the hole so when the bolt head is in place it cannot turn?

Thoughts? I figure if a Lotus Elise's chassis is all bonded/glued together that the right stuff shold do the trick, no?

VetteDrmr

The problem will be similar to the weld problem you experienced: getting the epoxy to hold. You'll have to rough up the metal, which always puts stress risers in the scratches. Might not be a problem but.....

I like your thought of having two aluminum plates capturing the bolt head.

Good luck, and have a good one,
Mike

RAFTeRACER

You could use a slightly larger bolt and tap threads in the seat mount.

0Randy@DRM

There is no welding rod in the world that will hold aluminum and steel together.

Randy

Cobra4B

You're a smart'un.... good idea.

gkmccready

But you could put a blop of rod next to the head of the bolt to keep it from spinning.

Can you reach under with a flat head screwdriver and just jam it against the bolt head to keep it from spinning?

Cobra4B

I think I'm going to try the epoxy tonight and see what happens... I'll let it cure and install the rail in the car w/o the seat to see if it holds. If it doesn't then no harm no foul and back to square 1.

Cobra4B

No... once the seat is in, the bolt head is not accessible, the front is, but the rears are completely blocked.

I like the idea of 2 blobs of aluminum weld to capture the bolt head and stop it from turning.

I think the epoxy might work then... I'll epoxy the bolt head then lay it around the head to act as a barrier.

Oyishdog

Also, put some silcone or something between the two metals...over time the two will begin to corrode

Cobra4B

Thanks for the tip... going to try the epoxy tonight... will report back.

MAC95 6SPD

The bolt is not accessable after the seat is in but do you have to bolt the seat rail in first. In the C4 I have the same problem. I fixed it by bolting the seat to the rails while in the car. I could rock the seat back far enough to get to the bolt head and tighten the bolt. Then the seat and the seat rails would bolt to the floor last.
Mat

mountainbiker2

Hacksaw a groove in the end of the bolt. Hold it with a screwdriver when you tighten it.

Steve

trackboss

On bolts I can't access with a wrench I drill a hole in a piece of strap or use a small round rod and weld onto the bolt so that it hits something when turned. It's really pretty simple. The tack next to the bolt head is not reliable.

-V

0Randy@DRM

Brian,
This is what happens when you try and install Corvette parts in a Ford Sorry I couldn't help myself.
A old farm trick may work for this also. Use a very skinny needle nose vise grip. Grab the top portion of the exposed threads and use a socket to tighten up to the vise grip. Then use a wrench to tighten the nut, and use the vise grip on the bottom. Disclaimer: Farm tricks some times aren't the best or safest method.

Randy

Cobra4B

Ghetto modding worked Used the Permatex Metal Epoxy



Tested it and torqued it before putting them back on the seat to see if the epoxy would hold.


Seat back on


Installed along w/ fresh harnesses and some fresh interior paint

Slalom4me

Why not just make one or more access holes in the seat?

Depending on size and location, the holes can be left open, sealed
with duct tape, push-in rubber panel plugs or an access plate afixed
with one or more fasteners in such a way that they won't be felt while
seated.

.

Cobra4B

^ Never even thought about that... that's a great idea.

Slalom4me

Works on my Kirley Deluxe RR.

.