Seat Belt Bolt Threads

[money pit]

I tried to clean out the threads of the shoulder belt hole. I wasn't able to get the tap in correctly. Are the threads on the bolts tapered? I tried a 7/16-20 tap. My shoulder belts were missing so I was trying to install them. Thanks

 

[Cav73]

Hi, I saw this post today while researching seat belt bolts for my Challenger. Did you ever get an answer?

I tried to clean the shoulder belt hole threads with a 7/16-20 tap also, a few days ago. It did not go so well, and I believe that is because the bolts and the holes are tapered. The tap is straight.

I am not sure if a tapered tap exists. I may just try to clean the threads with some phosphoric acid followed by a gun barrel brush about the same size.

 

[Challenger RTA]

The bolts have a cut thread so they don't work their way out. That's what your running into. 7/16-20

 

[Cav73]

That makes sense, thanks. It explains that some thread on the bolt is corroded, where it was seated in the threaded hole, but above that line the threads are clean. And also why it is hard to run a straight tap through the hole. Is there a good way to clear corrosion out of the seat belt bolt holes without tapping them? I was thinking of a big bore brush and some rust dissolver, followed by PA Blaster or similar.

 

[sixpactogo]

I found that using my bench grinder with a wire wheel works the best for cleaning corroded bolts. I hold the bolt with a pliers and keep rotating the bolt against the wire wheel.

 

[Cav73]

Cool thanks; good reason to get my bench grinder going. I just don't want it to close to the car as with my luck I'll shoot a bolt right into the paint LOL. Space is a bit tight around it!

 

[sixpactogo]

Cool thanks; good reason to get my bench grinder going. I just don't want it to close to the car as with my luck I'll shoot a bolt right into the paint LOL. Space is a bit tight around it!

That is where the pliers comes in. Saves on the skin as well but as you know, sometimes they have other ideas. Gloves and eye protection is recommended along with an apron.