MX-5 MK1 Mazdaspeed Roll Bar

[Pique]

Crossposting from The MX-5 board which is quiet:

As per the title -I have acquired a Mazdaspeed 4-point rollbar for the OH's MK1. It was supplied with what I assumed was all the fixings required but my garage (who are pretty sharp on all things MX-5) inform me that they can't fit it without it fouling the seatbelts and ultimately compromising the MOT. They think it needs seat-belt bolt spacers (from further research I can see these are required), they also suspect that I will need longer seatbelt mounting bolts which I have never seen or heard of before.

My seller has moved his old car on (complete with spacers) so I have no chance to see if there are indeed different seatbelt mounting bolts. Has anyone here got such a bar - if so how is it fitted? And does anyone know where I can get hold of the required bits? I'm in the doghouse at the moment due to the bar being a birthday present which until I can get these bits is useless so any help is massively appreciated!

[Superhoop]

Does the standard mounting bolt have only 1 spacer? I think from memory the spacer is actually 3 different pieces, 2 of one thickness (15mm??) and one slightly thicker (20mm?)

If that's the case, can you not get a set from a breakers and use a different combination of them to give you the Clarence you need for the roll bar - then you just need to find a decent nut/bolt/washer supplier who can supply you a longer bolt

[Billywink]

I think I may be able to help - I had the same problem with my roll bar. You will need to undo the seatbelt top bracket. You will find that the bolt has a thick cylindrical spacer about an inch long. you will need to cut this in half and cut off the thickness of the roll bar bracket off of one of the halves. This is very rough guidance - you will need to offer up and measure the exact cuts. This will leave you with a spacer now cut into about 1/2" and 1/3", and about 1/6" or so cut out that you don't need. When you put it back together the roll bar bracket fits inbetween the cut spacers, and as such the bolt is still the right length and the roll bar bracket does not snag on the seatbelt top bracket. My 5 has been through about 4 MOT's since this was fitted and no tester has ever even commented.

Hope this helps

[Pique]

Thanks that helps

I have just had a look - it does have some very long spacers at the moment. Maybe I can use a couple of these:

http://www.autolinkmx5.com/seatbelt-mounting-bolt-...

In the 15mm variety to replace what is currently there? With one underneath and one above the roll bar plate hopefully there will be enough clearance without resorting to finding a longer bolt

Thanks!

[redgriff500]

Different cars have different numbers / sizes of spacers - no idea why.

Or simply use tube / washers.

Frankly if your garage couldn't figure it out, I'd find another garage it's not rocket science.