Seat-belt mod.

[Hedgehopper]

Always had problems with non-returning seat-belts and accidently shutting them in the door.

I've just fitted these extenders, copied from a post on the 'S' forum. I used the race quality joints rather than the 1/2 price eBay jobs...

http://www.mcgillmotorsport.com/7-16-x-7-16-right-...

Belt now just lightly brushes the carpet and returns easily. A non-invasive mod that can be returned to standard in minutes.



http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by Hedgehopper on Tuesday 18th February 16:37

[sgrimshaw]

Hedgehopper said:

Always had problems with non-returning seat-belts and accidently shutting them in the door.

I've just fitted these extenders, copied from a post on the 'S' forum. I used the race quality joints rather than the 1/2 price eBay jobs...

http://www.mcgillmotorsport.com/7-16-x-7-16-right-...

Belt now just lightly brushes the carpet and returns easily. A non-invasive mod that can be returned to standard in minutes.



http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Does this mod help with the locking problem at junctions etc as well?

Could you give the rose joints/bolt head the Ed "Satin Black" China treatment to tone it down a bit?

Did you use the ebay bolts and washers?

Sorry for all the questions .....

[Hedgehopper]

I'm sure that if the housing of the joint was sanded lightly that they could be sprayed. I think they look OK because they are next to the equally shiny hood stays, but of course each to his own. I have put black plastic nut covers on mine which does tone it down a bit.

Didn't use the eBay washers etc. because I had my own.

This mod would only help the belt return more readily which was the only reason I fitted it.

[EGB]

Hedgehopper said:

I'm sure that if the housing of the joint was sanded lightly that they could be sprayed. I think they look OK because they are next to the equally shiny hood stays, but of course each to his own. I have put black plastic nut covers on mine which does tone it down a bit.

Didn't use the eBay washers etc. because I had my own.

This mod would only help the belt return more readily which was the only reason I fitted it.

Can you send us a broader picture of the fitting to see it's exact placement. I have a simple sprag fitting that also holds the belt buckle for a rapid grab when getting in. Saves loosing and grovelling for the belt under the seats.

[Hedgehopper]

This mod won't make the buckle any easier to reach as it only pushes the belt forward just enough to clear the carpet against which it rubbed.

To make the buckle easier to reach I made these brackets. They are just held by one of the original screws in the headrest, therefore they are not rigid and as far as I can see would not cause any additional danger in an accident.

[EGB]

Hedgehopper said:

This mod won't make the buckle any easier to reach as it only pushes the belt forward just enough to clear the carpet against which it rubbed.

To make the buckle easier to reach I made these brackets. They are just held by one of the original screws in the headrest, therefore they are not rigid and as far as I can see would not cause any additional danger in an accident.

Thanks, Yes tidy. Better than my sprag.

[Hedgehopper]

Just found these which look as if they might fit. Can also be obtained without the MG logo.

http://www.mgocspares.co.uk/acatalog/MGOC_SPARES_A...

[cavebloke]

Hedgehopper said:

Just found these which look as if they might fit. Can also be obtained without the MG logo.

http://www.mgocspares.co.uk/acatalog/MGOC_SPARES_A...

They do look like a decent solution. My partner says the seatbelt cuts into her neck and these look like they would stop that. Do you have a link for the ones lacking the MG logo or do you have to enquire? Black anodised aluminium ones might look a bit better - did Leven never make anything like this?

Cheers,

Simon

[Hedgehopper]

Unfortunately the only company I can find that makes the guides without the MG logo is in the US (link below). A bit of filler and satin black spray would soon see to that.

However I have not yet managed to find out if they will fit the chrome support pillar, but it looks promising.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/seat-belt-guide

http://clarkandclarkinc.com/1198_seatbeltguide_jag...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/251444453615?hlpht=...

[EGB]

I'm happy with this. No more searching, or groping as long as you remember to hook it up when unbelting.

Edited by EGB on Thursday 20th February 23:03

[EGB]

I'm happy with this. No more searching, or groping as long as you remember to hook it up when unbelting.

Edited by EGB on Thursday 20th February 23:04

[pb450]

I like the look of this mod. However, am I missing something here? The seatbelt bracket now secures to the extender 90 degrees 'out of plane' compared to the original fixing over the wheel arch, which allows the pull direction of the belt to act in line with the bracket.

Someone on here correctly pointed out that your insurer should be advised of the mod. Is he going to be happy that the belt now pulls on the bracket in an out of plane direction? I can see a strong argument on the insurer's part that the belt is no longer functioning in the manner the original designer intended.

As I say, perhaps I'm missing something. Opinions?

[Bluebottle]

bracket and bolt are no longer acting in shear and on top of that you have a significant lever arm action to the original bolt position...I would not like to trust this mod personally

[pb450]

Bluebottle said:

bracket and bolt are no longer acting in shear and on top of that you have a significant lever arm action to the original bolt position...I would not like to trust this mod personally

My point exactly. The bracket is now acting in bending and there's some nasty prying action on the bolt. Best to leave as is, I would say.

[Hedgehopper]

pb450 said:

Bluebottle said:

bracket and bolt are no longer acting in shear and on top of that you have a significant lever arm action to the original bolt position...I would not like to trust this mod personally

My point exactly. The bracket is now acting in bending and there's some nasty prying action on the bolt. Best to leave as is, I would say.

You both have a valid point I think. It occurred to me that the new position would attempt to bend the bracket upwards but the guide is quite substantial and I felt it wasn't a problem....however I'm not an engineer.

I would still like to bring the guide forward as it definitely works more freely that way. What would be your opinion if I replaced the rose-joint with a piece of 50mm x 3mm bar, about 75mm long and with a hole each end to allow me to mount the guide in its normal orientation?

[pb450]

Hedgehopper said:

You both have a valid point I think. It occurred to me that the new position would attempt to bend the bracket upwards but the guide is quite substantial and I felt it wasn't a problem....however I'm not an engineer.

I would still like to bring the guide forward as it definitely works more freely that way. What would be your opinion if I replaced the rose-joint with a piece of 50mm x 3mm bar, about 75mm long and with a hole each end to allow me to mount the guide in its normal orientation?

I would say that is much better as the bracket will still be acting in the manner for which it was designed. In fact I put new seat belts in my old MGB and they came with just such a bracket as you describe, to keep the inertia reel away from the rear window. I would advise your insurer still to keep squeaky clean but your idea sounds much better. Of course, you'll need a nut to go with your bolt.