HELP.. Broken Seat Belt Bolt

[Green70judge]

So I broke two seat belt bolts the other day in my 86. I have drilled them out as close as I can to the threads with a 3/8 bit.. from what I can tell I did not hit the existing threads..

What should my next step be... Get a tap and tap it to the original bolt size?

Helicoil... and a smaller bolt size?

[gchemist]

If necessary, go to a bigger bolt. I would not recommend a Helicoil. Safety is nothing to sacrifice. Tap it first. If bolts hold you're okay. If not, then use a bigger grade 8 bolt.

[Green70judge]

So then I should take the original bolt somewhere and get a tap to match that?

[old Rusty C10]

I sure would

[LynnJr]

I think they went to metric in 1978 on the seat belts so buy a new bolt first so you get the right tap.
I find that once you drill them out they tend to come out more easily with a tap than a easy-out.

[f.monroe]

Lightly cut through the threads on one side only. Maybe not all the way through so that you dont damage the captured nut. Spray it with a good penetrating oil .Then take a chisel and collapse the remaining piece of the original bolt inwards to release it from the threaded portion of the nut. They will usually collapse easily and leave the original threads so you can install a new correct bolt.
Frank

[Deaol]

When disassembling my truck for paint I snapped both drivers/passengers. I really over-killed it and drilled out, plated and sleeved the old holes and ran huge grade 8 bolts with a aftermarket 3 point system, probably not necessary but when It comes to safety I would rather over do than under.

[dieseldawg142]

^^^same, drilled out old bolts, ground off nuts, 3/16 plates & 1/2 gr.8's

[motornut]

if you replaced the floor nuts etc get big washers and even lock washers

I wire wheel or a quick sand blast the under side of the bolt can remove rust scale
good idea i read here,grind the bolt heads square, use a socket

[Green70judge]

Okay So the tap I got says to drill out with a 13/32 bit. However I cannot find a 13/32 bit.. would 3/8 be okay.. from what I can find we are talking about .0313 difference in size..

[wraprail]

What size bolt are you using?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Green70judge]

Okay the bolt I bolt I matched from the other bolts... It is a 12mm-1.75x35mm
And the tap for that called for a 13/32 drill bit and I can't locate one. So will 3/8 do?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Green70judge]

bump