Seat Belt mods

[350Matt]

Chaps

I thought that this little mod I've done to the mounting points on my car might be of interest.





I did it to fix the problem where the belt rubs on the hood when its folded down. So it doesn't rewind properly and the belt was slack. Quite dangerous I thought.

Also the passenger one is angled a a bit to make it more comfortable for my wife as the belt was far too high on her and used to cut into her neck again probably not safe.

Matt

[Uncle Fester]

Simple and effective, I like it.

Is there any possibility that it could make contact with you in an accident where whiplash throws you back?

I had been thinking of a short length of wire seat belt anchorage with a bolthole eye at each end. Just in case it did make contact with an occupant.

I have some vague recollection that this kind of modification may have MOT implications. You might have to take it off at MOT time. Does anyone know what the legal position actually is?

As a cosmetic suggestion, it might look better with a dome head Allen or Torx bolt for the mount and a plastic cover for the nut.

Dead easy to make, but if they were cheap enough as a kit they would sell.

[tvr4ever]

Great idea, would you mind if I borrowed your idea and made a few brackets myself ?

It always annoyed me that the belts didn't rewind properly. When you took a passenger you had to rewind the belt manually when you stepped out of the car.

[griffter]

I think it's a great mod, but two things spring to mind:

1) the anchor point is into a captive nut in GRP - that's it. The bracket may effectively exert leverage on the mounting point and cause it to fail in an accident where bolting straight to the mounting point would have been OK.

2) Insurance will want to know and may not be happy.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not criticising, I think it's great. (1) is a TVR design catastrophe, (2) is ridiculously frustrating in the way that rollbars add to the premium and yet increase safety...

[350Matt]

I did wonder about any leverage created however the path of the belt when its on the body (well on me anyway) means the force is more or less along the axis of the bracket.

So there's little or no leverage created as the direction of the force doesn't create it.

Its passed an MOT with no issues but then how many MOT testers know what the car should look like in any case (one of TVR's great strengths in my eyes )

Under whiplash it should be OK as its hard over on the right with about 3" clearance to the seat (the photos don't show this)

As for the insurance see MOT comment also I think its more important to have a seat belt that works and not have to deal with picking bits of windscreen out of my face......

I'd rather be un-maimed and deal with insurance assessors than maimed with a unmodified car

and yes if anyone wants to copy it feel free.

Matt

Edited by 350Matt on Sunday 30th March 12:56

[David Beer]

Do not wish to sound like an old record, but ! If you put foil where the belt touches the carpet, put a roller on the top mount, the belt works just like a normal seatbelt. For the top mount, a plastic sleeve works like a roller bearing.

[Sam Gamgee]

David Beer said:

Do not wish to sound like an old record, but ! If you put foil where the belt touches the carpet, put a roller on the top mount, the belt works just like a normal seatbelt. For the top mount, a plastic sleeve works like a roller bearing.

Err....piccy......?

Dave.

[Uncle Fester]

What if the top bracket were made with a slightly bigger metal loop, possibly with a built in roller?

As the loop is hinged it shouldn't be able to lever the captive nut. It only needs be enlarged enough for the belt to clear the carpet.

My suggestion of a wire cable, like that which attaches the belt buckle catch has the advantage that it is flexible. This should bend before it levers the captive nut out.