I'm trying to fit a Tillet seat in time for Brands on Monday but am struggling to remove the existing Caterham seat runners, as they are seized in a position where I can't access the head of the bolts that go through the floor. Both runners on the drivers side are stuck. Is there a technique to get the runners moving, other than soaking with WD40 which I've already failed with?
Thanks Gerard
I recommend using PlusGas penetrating fluid rather than ordinary WD-40.
Is the problem that the bolts are turning when you try to remove the nut? If so cut a transverse slot in the free end of the bolt and hold it still with a screwdriver while you bring the nut down.
There are several alternative ways of refitting the fastener so that this doesn't happen again, including wedging or welding the bolts into the seat frame.
Jonathan
Gently tapping with a rubber mallet somewhere robust that wont deform on the subframe did the trick for me after soaking, patient and gentle though.
Thank you both, will give it a try.
Yes to penetrating fluid (PlusGas or the WD40 equivalent rather than the standard stuff). I find the engineering of the spray is considerably better from WD40.
Yes to a hammer to knock the upper part along the lower part.
Familiar issue.
Stephen
Democratic dissent is not disloyalty, it is a positive civic duty
They can get gravel jammed between the runner and the ally floor - you can sometimes flick out with a screwdriver on the inner edge.
Ian
If they are a normal bolt head, this will trap itself in the seat runner and not rotate. If you use a flat head screwdriver under the washer on the underside of the floor to help keep pressure on the bolt downwards, you should be able to undo the bolts.
if they are capheads, I'd use Jonathan's suggestion and try and cut a slot in the bolt and use a screwdriver to stop the bolt rotating
If all else fails attack the nuts/bolts under the car with an angle grinder.
Straight roads are for fast cars. Bends are for fast drivers.
I used plus gas and gently used a pry bar to lever between a chassis tube and a cross bar on the seat base. Once the seat moves then it should loosen up.
As for the seat bolts / nuts - I'm planning on fitting capheads when I refit. Gripping a std hex bolt head was very awkward when I was removing...
I found sitting in the seat and aggressively moving backwards and forwards got it moving. It's very difficult to shift the seat if your not on it. The runners were all jammed up with stones and muck and easy to clean once out.
Piers
Piers Rendell
East Kent AR
eastkent@caterhamlotus7.club
once out, MIG weld plain nuts into the runners making them captive, then use hex head set screws to secure from underneath.
problem solved