Stuck Screw

[Faheem]

With the interior completely stripped out, I thought it would be a good opportunity to address my seats on which the stitching has starting to come undone.

I want to remove the lower seat cover so that I can do a proper repair by stitching it back together.

To do that I need to remove the side panel - where the electric seat switch is.

I can't remove one of the screws and I've already tried using all of this

This is the screw I need to get to

The other one came out okay and looks like this

I can't apply heat as it'll melt the plastic

I'd use a drill but that's a long but I don't want to unless I absolutely have to.

Tips?

 

[Faheem]

To add to that list I've tried using this too.

 

[Dino D]

Is it just too tight to turn?

Can you look under the seat and get access to where it actually bites into metal and spray penetrating oil there?

 

[Jack Ratt]

Is the screw driver just turning in the screw head ?

 

[Jack Ratt]

You could try tapping the end of the screwdriver to try to shock the thread.

Another tip, if the screwdriver is turning in the screw head lay an elastic band over the screw head and push it into the screw head with the screwdriver.

 

[t-tony]

Is the seat out of the car Faheem? If it is I would use an impact driver.

Tony.

 

[raymond]

As what Tony says but you could cut a horizontal groove in the screw and use an ordinary flat blade screwdriver

 

[Faheem]

@Dino D I've tried spraying penetrating oil there but no luck mate.

I've actually had the seat flat on its side and applied bodyweight to the screwdriver whilst trying to turn it but it's not going anywhere.

I don't want to keep going as I'll just trip the head.

@Jack Ratt that was the first thing I tried!

@t-tony Yes mate, stripped the interior down yesterday.

Unfortunately I don't have access to an impact, and wouldn't even know where to start if I wanted to buy one as there are so many available.

 

[t-tony]

This is the one I have Faheem, very versatile bit of kit. There are cheaper options for DIY.
EBay no.350704560887

Or type in Teng Tools impact driver to search options.

Tony.

 

[Ianmc]

Have you tried a ratchet with a screw head bit?

 

[Brian4]

Called round to see @Faheem this afternoon and offending screw removed. It was the difference between Phillips 3 and pozidrive 3 screw head.

As Faheem sai the car has been damp in it's previous life and the seat base was quite rusty so all the screws had rusted in and it looks as if the seat back adjuster is corroded making it stiff to move. We also removed the foam seat base so the he can repair the damaged stitching so I guess he has been busy doing that to get the seat back in for Tuesday.

 

[hard top]

I want to remove the lower seat cover so that I can do a proper repair by stitching it back together.

Could you make me a cheap suit mate?.......

 

[Faheem]

@Brian4 I was just about to post

Absolute life saver, came round and within ten minutes he had the seat apart.

I didn't know what the difference was between a Phillips and a pozidrive till today. It turns out I did use a pozidrive (I checked after you left) but didn't have it on a socket so couldn't get enough leverage to break it loose. thanks a lot, this is what makes the forum great!

I spent the rest of today trying to put the carpet back in the interior, not too bad as I'd split the front half of the carpet into two halves, one for the passenger side and the other for the drivers side. The split was made near the heater controls and gear lever, with the interior back together you shouldn't be able to notice.

Fashioned some zip ties to hold the carpet together, just for that little added security so that it doesn't fly out when I have the roof down...

In all seriousness, here are some pictures.

Plan to get the seats back in tomorrow after stitching them back together and have them out again at the weekend to dye the bolsters.

Brian even bought round a dye kit for me to use on the seats, what a legend!

 

[Antm72]

Glad you got it sorted mate and well done Brian for coming to the rescue