Removing Seats

[Palmerdad]

The coach that we bought (1976 Eleganza) had (not so nice) later model seats put in for the driver and passenger. We would like to go back to a set
of original swivel seats. I have located an old Palm Beach model here in town that has been sitting being slowly parted out for the last 10-15 years
that has a decent set of seats with the slanted top swivel base to scavenge. The problem being that the whole coach has sunk into the ground almost
up to the outer frame rails, so the only way to access the bolts will be from the engine hatch. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to reach the bolts
with my socket tools (for both the top and bottom) in order to remove them. Any other ideas? I'm assuming that the slant base is one piece with the
plate attached by the 12 bolts? (It was hard to see for the old carpet and I haven't had time to rip it all away yet.) Could these be drilled out?
IF so, what kind of drill bit will be the best for doing up to 24 bolts??? Any other tips?
--
-James Palmer, Traverse City, MI
1976 Eleganza

 

[peer oliver schmidt]

James,

I found this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKgwg8wpjMI video quite
helpful. There is part 2 to it as well,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr-bLuYSkys

It has been a while, so not really know which one I liked better

--
Best regards

Peer Oliver Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA

'76a Eleganza II, VA

 

[mike]

> The coach that we bought (1976 Eleganza) had (not so nice) later model seats put in for the driver and passenger. We would like to go back to a
> set of original swivel seats. I have located an old Palm Beach model here in town that has been sitting being slowly parted out for the last 10-15
> years that has a decent set of seats with the slanted top swivel base to scavenge. The problem being that the whole coach has sunk into the ground
> almost up to the outer frame rails, so the only way to access the bolts will be from the engine hatch. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to reach
> the bolts with my socket tools (for both the top and bottom) in order to remove them. Any other ideas? I'm assuming that the slant base is one
> piece with the plate attached by the 12 bolts? (It was hard to see for the old carpet and I haven't had time to rip it all away yet.) Could these
> be drilled out? IF so, what kind of drill bit will be the best for doing up to 24 bolts??? Any other tips?

Try removing the wheel liners.
--
Mike K.
'75 PB
Southeast Michigan

 

[wayne rogewski]

You can get at the outer most bolts by removing the wheel liners in the front. Its still a two person job to hold a wrench on top or bottom and then
loosen them up. Lots of work for not much reward.

Having done that once, I would get an impact gun and torque it up as high as it will go (Like Nascar setting) and hit the bolts from the top. If
your lucky you will snap all the bolt heads off and you have your bases and seats intact. The existing bolts and nuts are nothing special and they
sell them by the pound at Tractor Supply. I would not reuse the old stuff anyway.

If that doesnt work, Id hit the tops of the bolts with an angle grinder and cut off wheel/ or a Die Grinder. Its just not worth fighting with a few
stubborn bolts that when removed your going to toss in the metal scrap anyway. Either way your not damaging any other part of the coach which
someone may need down the road.

Even with proper access and working with a wrench on the top and bottom I snapped a few.
--
77 Royale, Rear Dry Bath. 403, 3.55 Final Drive, Lenzi goodies, Patterson carb and dizzy.
Mid Michigan

 

[Palmerdad]

Well, I just got back and it went better than I expected. I was able to get the 6 bolts off that were closest to the engine hatch on each seat. They
came off without much fuss with my 2 sockets. When I was inspecting the wheel liners I noticed that there are holes through the liners to each of the
bolts that I still need to access. Not sure if that is typical or not but it should enable me to get at them without even taking off the liners. Not
I just need to find a volunteer to come with me and hold the bolts from the inside. Fingers crossed the next 6 come off as easily as the first!
--
-James Palmer, Traverse City, MI
1976 Eleganza

 

[Keith V]

Use a vice grip on the bolt head on the inside and let it spin till it hits something, No helper needed

________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of James Palmer
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2017 3:33:40 PM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Removing Seats

Well, I just got back and it went better than I expected. I was able to get the 6 bolts off that were closest to the engine hatch on each seat. They
came off without much fuss with my 2 sockets. When I was inspecting the wheel liners I noticed that there are holes through the liners to each of the
bolts that I still need to access. Not sure if that is typical or not but it should enable me to get at them without even taking off the liners. Not
I just need to find a volunteer to come with me and hold the bolts from the inside. Fingers crossed the next 6 come off as easily as the first!
--
-James Palmer, Traverse City, MI
1976 Eleganza

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