B posts and the tin worm
Discussion
Whilst recarpeting I had to renew the seat belts when one broke off in my hand, it was corroded inside the plastic no external signs.Got new belts off the shelf from PARTCO!
Fitting belts means access to the B posts I found that the brackets on the bottom of the B posts had been totally eaten by the tin worm. MIG welded new plates in with the posts in situe without setting the car on fire! Had to take the sills off to fit the new bolts, good job, the tin worm had started on the nearside outrigger so I renewed that whilst I was at it.
Not heared of B post bases being a problem area before, I only found them by accident. My car has obviously not been loved as it should have been during the last 11 years previous ownership but if you have any doubts it might be worth having a look at yours chaps!
Fitting belts means access to the B posts I found that the brackets on the bottom of the B posts had been totally eaten by the tin worm. MIG welded new plates in with the posts in situe without setting the car on fire! Had to take the sills off to fit the new bolts, good job, the tin worm had started on the nearside outrigger so I renewed that whilst I was at it.
Not heared of B post bases being a problem area before, I only found them by accident. My car has obviously not been loved as it should have been during the last 11 years previous ownership but if you have any doubts it might be worth having a look at yours chaps!
The brackets on mine attaching the base of the B post to the outriggers were entirely rust free as they didn't exist any more. I wasn't any more confident about the seat belt security after welding on new either. It all looked a bit too lightweight for a fatty like me. At the top, the B post is screwed into the fibreglass.
Drive Carefully
Drive Carefully

clasabro said:
Whilst recarpeting I had to renew the seat belts when one broke off in my hand, it was corroded inside the plastic no external signs.Got new belts off the shelf from PARTCO!
Fitting belts means access to the B posts I found that the brackets on the bottom of the B posts had been totally eaten by the tin worm. MIG welded new plates in with the posts in situe without setting the car on fire! Had to take the sills off to fit the new bolts, good job, the tin worm had started on the nearside outrigger so I renewed that whilst I was at it.
Not heared of B post bases being a problem area before, I only found them by accident. My car has obviously not been loved as it should have been during the last 11 years previous ownership but if you have any doubts it might be worth having a look at yours chaps!
Could you find the part number & make and list them here incase others need them

The chassis repairs article on Wedgepages mentions the lower plates rotting. I did my Tas chassis in about '97 and the plates had disappeared.
Getting the B pillar tubes out on an early car isn't too difficult but later DHCs had a cross-brace linking them that makes it a bit more entertaining. Maybe the FHCs did too, I don't know.
Getting the B pillar tubes out on an early car isn't too difficult but later DHCs had a cross-brace linking them that makes it a bit more entertaining. Maybe the FHCs did too, I don't know.
rev-erend said:
clasabro said:
Whilst recarpeting I had to renew the seat belts when one broke off in my hand, it was corroded inside the plastic no external signs.Got new belts off the shelf from PARTCO!
Fitting belts means access to the B posts I found that the brackets on the bottom of the B posts had been totally eaten by the tin worm. MIG welded new plates in with the posts in situe without setting the car on fire! Had to take the sills off to fit the new bolts, good job, the tin worm had started on the nearside outrigger so I renewed that whilst I was at it.
Not heared of B post bases being a problem area before, I only found them by accident. My car has obviously not been loved as it should have been during the last 11 years previous ownership but if you have any doubts it might be worth having a look at yours chaps!
Could you find the part number & make and list them here incase others need them
Please.
I was interested in this - found some more stuff here:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=105602
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=105602
Sado that I am I've had a few sheds amongst the good Wedges and most have had some rot in this area and the more tatty ones have corroded through. Usually due to leaky hood around the rear/bottom corner of the window - soggy carpet (Often the reason the cars mist up so easily!) and then knackered B postlower.
On the later cars with the cross brace between posts the brace is Part of the GRP so removal is a pain.
TaS
On the later cars with the cross brace between posts the brace is Part of the GRP so removal is a pain.
TaS
Sorry not to have replied earlier wasn't being ignorant just couldn't sign on.
Part number was obtained via the Partco catalogue so I feel safe that the belt is a legal replacement, I was surprised it listed wedges, the box has lots of applications listed on it but not wedges!
I have been on the manufacturers web site and wondered about the excess belt they go on about, find it a bit strange if the belt recoils o.k. Don't know if it does yet haven't put them on yet, got side tracked replacing
(doesn't 3mm plate take some bending?)one of the outriggers where the tin worm had had a little snack. The 30 bit in the part number refers to the length of the centre buckle strap.
Part number was obtained via the Partco catalogue so I feel safe that the belt is a legal replacement, I was surprised it listed wedges, the box has lots of applications listed on it but not wedges!
I have been on the manufacturers web site and wondered about the excess belt they go on about, find it a bit strange if the belt recoils o.k. Don't know if it does yet haven't put them on yet, got side tracked replacing
(doesn't 3mm plate take some bending?)one of the outriggers where the tin worm had had a little snack. The 30 bit in the part number refers to the length of the centre buckle strap. Gassing Station | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff




Steve