Seat Belt Modifications

[Ronnie]

As mentioned in another thread, I need to fit a foward facing baby seat in the back of my 300. Unfortunately, none of the chairs I've tried fit due to the webbing on the centre buckles being too long, the buckles snag the chair and don't give a secure fit - even when I cross them over:



What I really need to do is shorten the webbing or even attach the buckle directly to the anchor point thus dispensing with the webbing all together.

Obviously I don't want to bodge it, it needs to be at least as secure as OEM.

I'm guessing I could have a shorter length of webbing, but this would require someone who knew what they were doing with an industrial sewing machine (i.e. not me). My other plan is to fit some kind of high tensile shackle directly between the two eyes.

Thoughts and advice please!

[classicswede]

Quick fit (I think) make seat belts - they would be able tp make shorter ones for you.

A shackle would work but has the risk of coming undone.

[dalahare]

Are you also going to use a strap form the top of the baby seat to the rear of the car? If so, i don't think it should be a problem to use them as they are, the baby seat in my car is a little loose down the bottom due to the buckles being too long, but it's fine, can only move a few inches at best and isn't going to go anywhere with the rear strap tensioned properly, and that one i going to take most of the force in a accident, the seatbelt alone wouldn't prevent the seat from pivoting foward...

[redline]

if Melly isnt in the back with Nancy you could use the buckle from the other side which should take up some of the webbing length

[Ronnie]

Already done that, in fact that's the way her rear facing seat is buckled in - but still too long.

I'll check out the Kwik-Fit connection - but TBH having those monkies mess with my seat belts takes a bit of courage!

[redline]

just buy them and fit them yourself , otherwise take a strap with you to a breakers and try to find a shorter one from another car , some other outlets sell rear seat belt kits maybe even mothercare ( I know they used to when ours were born but that 9 years ago )

[Ronnie]

I've discovered that my problem has a technical name: "buckle crunch".

I think a shackle is the answer - if one can keep my old man's fishing boat on its mooring in a storm, then it'll be good to hold 20 odd kilos of baby and chair even in accident conditions. And it wont come undone if I wire the pin.

[classicswede]

That sound like a plan to me

[Ronnie]

Worked a treat - cut the webbing off and shackled the buckle directly to the bracket with 2x 7mm shackles cinched up tight and with pins wired. Seat is solid.

Would recommend this mod to anyone fitting baby seats in their 300

[redline]

come on Ronnie , the majority of members here woulden't have a clue how to make a baby ,let alone look after one lol

[Ronnie]

There will come a time, for most of them anyway!

Thanks for your comments about your comment on nancy BTW, made Melly really laugh