Question about removing seatbelts - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JoeKan · 08-13-2018, 06:36 PM

I'm replacing my floor pans and want to take out the seat belts. These are bolted to the floor, no should harness. Can someone tell me the best way to loosen the bolt that bolts the seat belt to the floor? This has been on for 50 years and I don't know if its coming off at all?
I guess I can take a grinder to it?
Thanks,
Joe

Killer Bee · 08-13-2018, 07:10 PM

copious amounts of penatrant like mopar or pb blaster on both sides, bolt tails should be visible from the bottom..

if they're accessible with small die grinder, you can buzz around the bolts with wire wheel to break some rust off..

you can pull the plastic covers back on the inside and mask the webbing with plastic to prevent damage if they're salvageable..

if the bolts will budge, try tightening them just a skosh to break the rusted edge underneath, then back off slightly.. use hand tools so you can feel the movement.. repeat these small movements like working a tap so the threads have a chance to clear.. and keep them wet with penatrant..

if they have to be cut, dress the inside stud thats left so it will pass through and remove from the bottom with vise grips or tack weld a not onto it and wrench out, access permitting..

the cleaner thread inside will pass through more easily than dragging the corroded outside portion up through the top..

hope that helps or at least gives you some ideas, good luck!

**dmjlambert** · 08-13-2018, 07:22 PM

I had 2 of those bolts that would not give by more than 1 or two turns. I ended up tightening them back down and using a dremel tool with a small cutting disc to clean the threads of the bolt from under the truck. It worked.

bill3rail · 08-13-2018, 08:34 PM

Soak them in PB Blaster or Sea Foam for a while before attempting to remove.
Clean the rust off the bottom side first so you are not trying to clean by brute force.

Bill

**too much stuff** · 08-13-2018, 08:38 PM

All good advice. Soak them from the top and the bottom. Loosen a little bit, soak with penetrating oil, tighten. Repeat numerous times. An impact with 6 point socket will help. If it is a 67 with the narrow bolts, take your time. They round off easy.

**Steeveedee** · 08-13-2018, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by too much stuff

All good advice. Soak them from the top and the bottom. Loosen a little bit, soak with penetrating oil, tighten. Repeat numerous times. An impact with 6 point socket will help. If it is a 67 with the narrow bolts, take your time. They round off easy.

That six-point socket was going to be my recommendation, too. Anything to keep from stripping the heads off, and having to drill the buggers out.

**Already Gone** · 08-13-2018, 08:58 PM

I couldnt get mine off by hans so I took it my trucsted local body shop. They used an impact gun and I remember standing 40 feet away from the truck when they were taking the bolts out and the impact was screaming to loosen and get them out. From reading the posts here I its par for the course them being difficult to remove.

JoeKan · 08-13-2018, 11:23 PM

Great advice! Thank you

08-13-2018, 06:36 PM	#1
JoeKan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 707	Question about removing seatbelts I'm replacing my floor pans and want to take out the seat belts. These are bolted to the floor, no should harness. Can someone tell me the best way to loosen the bolt that bolts the seat belt to the floor? This has been on for 50 years and I don't know if its coming off at all? I guess I can take a grinder to it? Thanks, Joe

08-13-2018, 07:10 PM	#2
Killer Bee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Barber City, CA Posts: 4,817	Re: Question about removing seatbelts copious amounts of penatrant like mopar or pb blaster on both sides, bolt tails should be visible from the bottom.. if they're accessible with small die grinder, you can buzz around the bolts with wire wheel to break some rust off.. you can pull the plastic covers back on the inside and mask the webbing with plastic to prevent damage if they're salvageable.. if the bolts will budge, try tightening them just a skosh to break the rusted edge underneath, then back off slightly.. use hand tools so you can feel the movement.. repeat these small movements like working a tap so the threads have a chance to clear.. and keep them wet with penatrant.. if they have to be cut, dress the inside stud thats left so it will pass through and remove from the bottom with vise grips or tack weld a not onto it and wrench out, access permitting.. the cleaner thread inside will pass through more easily than dragging the corroded outside portion up through the top.. hope that helps or at least gives you some ideas, good luck! __________________ *I started out with nothing - and I still have most of it*

08-13-2018, 07:22 PM	#3
dmjlambert Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 3,894	Re: Question about removing seatbelts I had 2 of those bolts that would not give by more than 1 or two turns. I ended up tightening them back down and using a dremel tool with a small cutting disc to clean the threads of the bolt from under the truck. It worked.

08-13-2018, 08:34 PM	#4
bill3rail Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: LI, NY 11801 Posts: 1,140	Re: Question about removing seatbelts Soak them in PB Blaster or Sea Foam for a while before attempting to remove. Clean the rust off the bottom side first so you are not trying to clean by brute force. Bill __________________ 1970 C10 8' Fleetside, L6 250, 3 on the Tree. The most basic of pickup trucks!

08-13-2018, 08:38 PM	#5
too much stuff Roadtrip! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Grand Rapids MN Posts: 13,801	Re: Question about removing seatbelts All good advice. Soak them from the top and the bottom. Loosen a little bit, soak with penetrating oil, tighten. Repeat numerous times. An impact with 6 point socket will help. If it is a 67 with the narrow bolts, take your time. They round off easy. __________________ 67 gmc custom lwb dakota truck. Sold...And bought back 69 swb 4x4 project (in progress) 70 c-10 lwb texas truck 70 4x4/BB/bkts/posi/tach(retired) 70 swb (wifes) 70 jimmy camper 71 K-5 factory 2wd 71 cheyenne 4x4/tach/posi/ plow rig 71 Cheyenne20 BB, buckets, tach, tilt, 4 speed 72 jimmy CST wyoming rig 72 jimmy Colorado rig 72 lifted texas 4x4 3/4 ton burb 65 fury conv. 383/auto 65 chrysler 300 "L" 413 auto

08-13-2018, 08:58 PM	#7
Already Gone 70+ ( Old Skool Club ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada Posts: 9,146	Re: Question about removing seatbelts I couldnt get mine off by hans so I took it my trucsted local body shop. They used an impact gun and I remember standing 40 feet away from the truck when they were taking the bolts out and the impact was screaming to loosen and get them out. From reading the posts here I its par for the course them being difficult to remove. __________________ 1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021

08-13-2018, 11:23 PM	#8
JoeKan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 707	Re: Question about removing seatbelts Great advice! Thank you



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