Harnesses Crossed?

[markburnt]

Apoplogies if this should go in Motorsport or similar but.

Just got a new summer car 'Renault Sport Spider' and she is fantastic! She came with harnesses that go through holes in the seat. But the shoulder ones cross befor they attach to the car.

Is this for a reason? Would be much neater if they didn't.

Any help greatly appreciated.

[chaparral]

I don't think they should - a continuous untwisted belt is stronger than a crossed/twisted one.

[LRdriver II]

How do they attach to the car?.. are they bolted or wrapped around a bar? if wrapped they could be crossing to avoid them sliding apart during a side impact (but if you have the harness coming thru holes in the seat then they dont need to cross..and the same applies if they are bolted)

probably easier if you posted a pic though..

[markburnt]

I will take a pic in the morning and post it up.

They are bolted to the chassis, so sounds like I should uncross them.

Thanks for the help.

[GreenV8S]

They're crossed to stop them sliding off your shoulders when used on seats that don't locate the harness. If the harness feeds through holes in the seat back, this is unnecessary.

[GavinPearson]

In plan view the belt that goes over your right shoulder goes to the left rear attachment. The belt that goes over your left shoulder goes to the right rear attachment.

There should be a coupling device going behind the seat to hold the belts together, set it such that the belts are held as straight as possible.

[markburnt]

GavinPearson said:

In plan view the belt that goes over your right shoulder goes to the left rear attachment. The belt that goes over your left shoulder goes to the right rear attachment. There should be a coupling device going behind the seat to hold the belts together, set it such that the belts are held as straight as possible.

So they do cross?!?

I'll go and take some pics now.

[markburnt]

Okay, managed to take some pics today.

So - to cross or not to cross, that is the question...whats the verdict?

[nicecupoftea]

Verdict : nice seats!

[GavinPearson]

What the photos show is I believe correct.

[markburnt]

Thanks, I will leave them as they are.

[Neil_H]

Can we have some more pictures of the car please!

[KazzyB]

I think they are wrong.

If the belts are attached by clips to the bar behind the seats as the photos would suggest then it is completely unnecessary. I don’t think it would really be dangerous, but I cant see a reason for it.

[matt_t16]

markburnt said:

Okay, managed to take some pics today. So - to cross or not to cross, that is the question...whats the verdict?

I'd go with them straight not crossed. Was the previous owner a small chap by any chance? If so he might not have been able to get enough adjustment comfortably out of the harness, crossing them would take an inch out of the length.

Matt

[KITT]

I'd go with not crossed myself. I've seen many cars with seats like that (with the harness holes) and the harnesses have always been attached straight behind (usually to a roll cage/bar) without crossing them.

[GavinPearson]

When I bought my Willans harness it showed you they should be crossed. But maybe it is different in this case.

[markburnt]

Okay, now I really don't know what to do.

Personally I can't see why crossing them makes any sense. Strength or otherwise.

Straight would be neater and I can't see that it would compromise the belts.

Ummmm. I have a look and see how easy it is to change them before making up my mind.

In the meantime if anyone works for Willans (or similar), would love to know the truth......yes I can handle it! (Sorry just been reading the film quotes thread)

[miniman]

You could try calling Merlin Motorsport at Castle Combe (www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk) - they certainly supply Willans and other race-spec harnesses and are always good with advice...