RA40

iTrader: (6)

I spilled some drinks in the Corolla earlier today and the resulting spill had to be cleaned up. I went to pull the seat and wondered why the bolts didn't spin freely when loosened. Of the four, three of the bolts were slightly sticky but relatively clean. This was the worst one and I couldn't even thread it back in. (In a past life one of my job tasks was to tap and torque up screws/bolts so I like to think I'm not totally lame with this process.)

The local Toyota dealer didn't have any seat bolts in stock so they had to be ordered. Luckily they cost $1.26 each so might as well get a spare. Also stopped by to get a USA made M10x1.25 tap to chase the threads. Usually a well tapped hole the tap will spin in easily but it didn't. I was WTH. I would get 1/4 in and there was enough resistance so I wondered if I was using the wrong tap. No, the tap aligned with the bolt. Ran the tap through and checked the clean bolts if they threaded in...perfect.

Out of curiosity I unbolted two from the driver side seat. The tap Toyota used when they made this thing was worn that the threads suck! Two more bolts look like this and the assembly line techs just torque them in and send it along. I'm pretty shocked.

jimbosr1

thats pretty messed up!