MOUNTING YOUR BELTS
1 Buckle types
Assess your holes and decide which belts are most suitable. Buckles on metal stalks are for front seats only – rear seat buckles are on webbing straps. The straps of our Securons are length-adjustable.
2 Remove blanking plugs
Remove the rear bench. Pry out the blanking plugs and screw a thread chaser or an oiled bolt into each to clear the threads, if necessary. They often pick up dirt and rust from outside the car.
3 Fit buckles
Fit the buckles of three-point belts. You can fit a centre lap belt, too. On smaller cars, overlap the centre belt with the buckles of the two outer threepoint belts. Fit so the buckle button lies face-down.
4 Fixtures and fittings
Follow the order of bolt, washer, spacer and belt anchor given in the belt’s instructions. It varies depending on the type of anchor fitted to the belt. There’s no need to overtighten the bolts.
5 Upper shackle
Mount the upper end of the static belt with the buckle tongue facing outwards. The belt shackle must pivot freely when the bolt’s tightened, without snagging upholstery. Trim fabric back, if necessary.
6 Lower shackle
Put on the belt, buckle it and arrange it so it isn’t twisted. Fit the lower shackle, using the pivot spacer provided so it can turn freely. Trim the upholstery if it’s in the way of the spacer or shackle.
7 Estates and hatchbacks
There may be a mounting behind the seat on the floor, behind a trim panel or under the window. Use for the upper shackle of a static belt if no C-pillar mounting is provided, or to mount an inertia reel.
8 Mounting angle
Inertia reels only pay out the belt when mounted at the correct angle. Reels can be obtained for horizontal or vertical mounting. Alternatively, you can buy an angle-adjustable model like this one.
9 Finishing off
Refit the seat bench and adjust the length of the buckle webbing. Aim to end up with the buckle clear of the seat cushion and positioned just on or below the hip of an average-sized wearer. n
Ed says ‘Check carefully for corrosion within 30cm of the mounting points, particularly around the wheelarches. Take appropriate remedial action.’