I recently restored my interior door panels and when I put everything back together, I noticed that the arm rest upper section won't secure well. Upon closer examination I concluded that the bolt hole on the door panel is stripped, so the bolt that secures the arm rest upper section isn't biting securely.

I've circled the stripped part in the attached picture.

What is the best way to go about fixing this (ie: minimal effort with stock appearance and function)?

If the part needs to be replaced, then how do I remove the existing one and how do I secure a new one? It looks like that piece is riveted on. Also, what is the part called/part# (the part is circled in the picture)? Who sells it?

Thanks

 

Most of the time those GM rivets can be drilled out. Then when you put the new part on, just use small bolts and nuts. As far as the part itself, not sure what it's called, but it should be easy to get from a junkyard. Could probably also weld a bolt to the back of the broken part, but that might be more effort than simply replacing it.

 

If your arm rest have a bolt hole plastic cover, you could grab any screw from hardware store one size larger and use it (since the cover will hide it). Otherwise, might try Home Depot or something and see if they have a similar style (hex or torx) bolt one size larger, and hit it with some black spray paint before installing it.

One other possibnility - you might be able to drill out the rivets, take YOUR piece off the door, and mash it in a vise to 'flatten out' the area of the slot - maybe the metal just bent inwards, and by flattening it again you'll get grip with the stock screw. Then just rivet it back into place.

 

Sounds great. Thank you both.

 

Put a plastic anchor on it.BAM,DONE

 

Why dont you just pry the metal back to close the gap.This would make the hole smaller, letting the screw bite again.