A (probably stupid) question about seatbelt anchorages......

[johnnycobra]

My FF chassis has three tapped seatbelt anchorage points welded to the frame: one for the inertia reel location; one for the upper anchorage for the diagonal; and one for the inboard (non buckle) anchorage of the lap belt. I need to locate the anchorage for the buckle stem. I am thinking of drilling horizontally through the uppermost of the two lower chassis rail to accommodate the 7/16 HT bolt, fixing this in place with a locknut (not welded) and then anchoring the buckle stem to it using a second nut. I can't find any reference in the SVA manual to doing it this way. Anybody have any idea if this approach will be SVA compliant?

Thanks (again) in advance

John

[TonyD]

John,

I think that this would be fine for just an MOT ( its exactly the same way I fixed my seat belts into a Marlin I built pre SVA ) but for SVA I think the inspector will be looking for evidence that the captive bolt for the seat belt anchorage is welded both sides of the chassis member.

Just my 2 pence worth however.

Cheers,

Tony

[phil]

John,
An extract from SVA manual....

"A suitable single bolt fixing of adequate
strength would be, for example, a bolt of at least
11mm (7/16") diameter of grade 8.8 (the grade
may not be shown on a bolt produced for a seat
belt anchorage).
Other bolt fixings may be acceptable providing
they are of equivalent strength.
Two adjacent seat belts may be secured by one
bolt. In this case consideration must be given to
the additional loads on the anchorage.


NOTE 2: In order that a seat belt can be
separated from the anchorage without causing
damage to the anchorage, for example a
mounting in the side of a tube or box section, it is
a requirement that the bolt is secured into a
“fixed” threaded hole or captive nut. (The
presenter may be required to demonstrate this
condition is met). The bolt may be secured into an
alternative fixing, eg a lock nut of suitable
strength, where access is provided to the “rear” of
the mounting to enable separation/re-attachment
of the belt."

I'm not sure whether you need a captive (welded?) nut or can use a nylock as long as you have access to said nut.
good luck :tu

Phil O

[johnnycobra]

Hmmm, thanks Phil. I did post a reply earlier but somehow it got lost. I called three SVA centers and each time recived a very friendly response but none of the three agreed with each other. From the manual it suggests that a 'locked' nut is acceptable, but one of the SVA centers said that the bolt would have to pass through a tube welded on both sides of the box section.

Know of a mobile welder in the Newbury area?