Ferrari Mailing List: Half a u-nut good enough for seat nut repair

[Douglas Anderson (dnt]

Michael notes “The parts manual doesn’t explain anything about what’s hidden [a captive seat rail nut] between the 2 surfaces.”

 

Most likely not as that’s just the way the early parts manuals are.  Note all descriptions are in Italian and universal.  By universal, I mean you look at a giant bolt holding the engine in and the apt description is (in English for our text) “screw.”  See what holds in the tachometer – “screw.”  No sizes.

 

I just checked with what may be the last paper parts manual.  Its for the F50.  The latest and greatest - - - “Screw” is “screw.” 

 

I have a collection of all the 308 paper manuals and most after the 308.  So if anyone needs a scan of a page or what ever be glad to accommodate the best I can.  I think these may be offered on line too.  Or they are along with the greatest wiring diagrams for nearly nuthin’ – on-line, in color, zoomie too and printable.  Less than $50.  Rob turned me on to the source.  I just tried to contact him.  Paul Bennett.  Nuthin’  Perhaps someone else has a source?

 

Any way, the 308’s may be one of the last of the “glued, screwed, pop-riveted and welded’ together cars.  You can start with the obvious “Front four ‘candles’ or sparkplugs.”  There must be other cars that have to be partially disassembled to do routine service.  Early Porsche Turbo (1976) the engine had to be dropped or cleverly partially dropped comes to mind.

 

So I admire your tenacity Michael.  I’d sure like to see your fix in person.  Heck, if you don’t mind a 1,300 mile trip and Google says you can do in less than 20 hours, drop by to Thousand Oaks, CA.  If you can escape the Peoples Republic of Canada.   :  )

 

Cheers

Doug

 

 

 

From: Michel Savard <mysavard [at] videotron.ca>
Sent: Sunday, February 14, 2021 4:25 AM
To: Douglas Anderson <dnt [at] dock.net>
Cc: ferrari <ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>
Subject: Re: [Ferrari] Half a u-nut good enough for seat nut repair

 

The 3 pictures I sent are the best explanation I can give. When the seat was out I inserted a long magnet into the hole to try to recuperate the nut. I bent the magnet at an angle to go deeper sideways. There was nothing but empty space. Between the floor of the interior and the fibreglass (?) floor that is underneath, there is 1” or 2”. The parts manual doesn’t explain anything about what’s hidden between the 2 surfaces.

 

Michael Savard (1981 308 GTSi)

On Feb 14, 2021, at 2:23 AM, Douglas Anderson <dnt [at] dock.net> wrote:

 

308’s are the same – but as you said – glad it worked out … but I sure as heck would like to see a picture.

:  )

 

From: Ferrari <ferrari-bounces+dnt=dock.net [at] ferrarilist.com> On Behalf Of Peter Rychel
Sent: Saturday, February 13, 2021 10:58 PM
To: DOUG <dnt [at] dock.net>
Cc: ferrari <ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>
Subject: Re: [Ferrari] Half a u-nut good enough for seat nut repair

 

This looks like a completely different arrangement to how the seats are bolted in a GT4. There are these two long steel box members that have the captive, threaded inserts in them. There’s no possibility of slipping something like this underneath to fasten the seat to the car. You’d have to drill out that insert and install another one just like it.

 

I’m glad this worked out for you. A nice, simple fix.

 

Peter

 

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

 

 

From: Michel Savard
Sent: February 13, 2021 12:26 PM
To: PeterGT4
Cc: ferrari
Subject: Re: [Ferrari] Half a u-nut good enough for seat nut repair

 

I’m sure next time I take out the seat, this is no fun at all I hope it’s the last time, I’ll only have to take out the other 3 bolts. You’re right.  My point was that since I’ve been driving with a loose bolt for maybe 2 years, this will help prevent the floor hole getting bigger due to the friction of the loose bolt. I rarely have a passenger in my car, so I don’t think much damage has been done in those 2 years. But I just know it’s more stable now.

One of those ‘good alternative’ until the real job is done.

 

Michael Savard (1981 308 GTSi)

 

On Feb 13, 2021, at 2:43 PM, Hans E. Hansen <FList [at] hanshansen.org> wrote:

 

Are you sure it's actually holding anything? Just having the "nose" of the U-nut sticking in the floor isn't going to anchor it, unless I'm mid-interpreting. Loosen the other 3 bolts a bit and then pull up on the corner with the U-nut to see if it is truly anchored to the floor.

 

I certainly might not be understanding exactly what you did here, but unless that U-nut flares out like a wall anchor bolt, I'm a bit skeptical. Or if you managed to get the flat portion under the floor itself. 

 

Hans. 

 

On Sat, Feb 13, 2021, 10:30 AM Michel Savard <mysavard [at] videotron.ca> wrote:

I fixed my passenger seat bolt with a missing nut under the car on left front corner with a half u-nut. I put the u-nut between the floor and the seat-rail. If you look carefully on the final picture you can see a corner of the half u-nut under the rail. Last week I sent a picture of the u-nut as I bought it. The 2 pictures today are u-nut cut in half and then once installed. You need to put the 2 back bolts in very loose first and then lift the front part of the seat-rail to squeeze in the half u-nut. Push back the seat on floor. Tighten everything up. That’s it.

 

Michael Savard (1981 308 GTSi)

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<u-nut après.jpeg><u-nut coupé.jpeg><u-nut après.jpeg><u-nut après.jpeg>

 

 

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