Seatbelt Bolts...

[VWCamperfan]

Afternoon!

Anyone know of the top of thier heads what size the rear seatbelt mount bolts are? (Ones in rear vent panel).
Tried 10mm and 12mm. Seems 10mm is too small and 12mm is too big!
Something i've missed here? (Bet it's 11mm just to muck things up a bit!)

[ermie571]

Mark, is this the velle one....comes as standard...or one that has been put there afterwards.

If its the comes as standard variety, mine was the same as the front bolts. They are all the same. use a 17 mm spanner to remove I think (could be 19 mm).

Em
xx

[VWCamperfan]

Thanks Em... I'll take out one of the front ones to compare against a known nut size. They are the standard seatbelt fixing points that came with the van too!

[colinthefox]

Not sure about this, but try 7/16 UNF. Always used to be, even long after metrication.

If it is, and you're short of bolts, I may be able to help.

[CovKid]

Can confirm this. Seat belt bolt threads are not metric (unless someone else changed them on yours), I think it has to do with closer threads having more contact and therefore less likely to strip than a metric one.

[VWCamperfan]

Thanks for replies people, helped a lot.
To colinthefox, I might just have some at work at that size but grabbed a couple of metric ones thinking they would do the job! I'll thank you now though just in case I need to take you up on your offer!
Will have a looksie tomorrow and post back to confirm what size they are as other people may have this problem at some time!
The thread doesn't match up to metric when held next to one so I think you guys could just be right!

[colinthefox]

Yep. Just checked. 7/16 UNF it is then.

7/16 UNF is not my strongest suit but I came up with a few assorted in the "bolts from the past" tin. So if you need them...........

Colin

[silverbullet]

Yep. Just checked. 7/16 UNF it is then.

7/16 UNF is not my strongest suit but I came up with a few assorted in the "bolts from the past" tin. So if you need them...........

Colin

They do have to be the correct type, as they are high-tensile steel (even though the shallow heads would suggest otherwise) Be safe, people!
My local seatbelt manufacturer, who made up rear lapbelts for the Microbus (the buckles are a match for the OEM VW ones too) http://www.fdts-seatbelts.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[colinthefox]

Mine are old seatbelt bolts, but I agree......go with the specialist........they have product insurance! (Hopefully)

[CovKid]

I came up with a few assorted in the "bolts from the past" tin.
Colin

I use that tin too - some weird buggers in there - no idea what those little brass ones are for

[Simon Baxter]

7/16ths UNF is an international standard for seatbelt bolts.

[Ian Hulley]

About the only use left FOR 7/16" unf They used to crop up on the old Leyland trucks who couldn't make their mind up between unf and unc ... much to the 'amusement' of storekeepers all over the quarrying world

Ian

[VWCamperfan]

Thanks everyone, very good of ya' all!

[silverbullet]

About the only use left FOR 7/16" unf They used to crop up on the old Leyland trucks who couldn't make their mind up between unf and unc ... much to the 'amusement' of storekeepers all over the quarrying world

Ian

Try 11/16" x 16 tpi UN(S) - Land Rover balljoint/trackrod thread. Used for a good 50 years from Series 1 right until they went to steering racks on L332/Disco 3...

[CovKid]

Chunky metric high tensile nuts & bolts should be sufficient too. The main reason for the odd size is as stated earlier because its an international standard to reduce the chances of stripped threads. You're unlikely to get that with hardened steel and whilst it won't match the standard, it should exceed it, at least in terms of holding firm under severe stress.