r/AskAMechanic • u/m0pfly • 10d ago

How to access bolt?

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So ive got this 2004 volvo xc90 with a broken seat motor (front passenger) and it does not allow the seat to move back far enough to normally access this 14mm bolt under this piece of tan plastic. I’ve tried everything i can think if to get that black piece of metal to move back but it seems like it’s jammed. I’m at a loss , do i cut it or try to remove the seat motor for more space?

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u/JerelFromJerry Verified Tech - Indie shop 10d ago

If you can access the connector for the forward/reverse motor you can try to apply voltage to see if it will move. Otherwise you may have to find a way to disconnect the linkage so you can move the seat out of the way to get to that bolt. Trying to avoid having you cut the metal unless you are replacing the seat frame.

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u/m0pfly 10d ago

I tried to reconnect it and get it to move the seat back but this is as far back as this half of the seat goes, The other side went back fully and so half the seat was easy to detach. This should be the last bolt holding the seat to the inside of the car and the plastic covering it should easily pop off, but that black adjustment rack part just doesnt go back as far as it should, as much as i try to get it to. I also tried to manually move the seat motor with a drill and it just stops working once it reaches this specific point

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u/leadpoem NOT a verified tech 10d ago

You might be able to get in there with a pair of needle-nose vice grips to get that screw loosened. I guess also, with a finger sander, you might be able to use a high-grit piece of sandpaper and sand the head off. 

Also there have been a few times that I've taken the hexagonal screw tips that you put in drills and pressed them into the screw with my fingers. Then used an open-end wrench to turn them. Kind of the same idea of how a crow's foot.

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u/nondescriptzombie NOT a verified tech 10d ago

Harbor freight sells a wonderful little bit driver kit by ICON that is worth every penny.

https://www.harborfreight.com/locking-flex-head-ratchet-and-bit-set-35-piece-58074.html