Front seat belt mounting location

[Epiphone]

Hi, went through the wiki and search function, but couldnt find anything pertaining to front seatbelt mounting location.

having recently bought a VW Bus and found the seat belt mounting points to be rusted away on both sides.

I would like to use the Bus upto the time I replace the wheel arches. But ofcourse to leave the seat belt mountings as it is could be possibly illegal, effect insurance claims in case of accident and more important dangerous for the inhabitants.

Therefore Can I move the mounting point away from the wheel arch to for example the same vertical pillar that the other part of the seat belt is bolted too? I would then replace the wheel arches, and if needed relocate the seat belt mountings back to wheel arches, or preferably, leave them in the vertical pillar inline with the back of the seat.

of course I am assuming that the vertical pillar, which seems to be part of the chasis is strong enough, or I would have to reinforce this area

[ermie571]

My van does have another hole at the bottom of the pillar which takes a seat belt bolt.....but whether the belt would be long enough or comfortable is another matter.....

Try it.

Em
x

[CovKid]

The MOT merely requires that the mountings should be corrosion free, no sign of fraying and that they retract if inertia belts. Not sure whether moving the mount could be regarded as 'properly fitted' but see no reason why not.

However, have a look at: http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m3s05000101.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The main question I suppose is whether the properties/action of the belt would be changed in some way by relocating it.

[crashsurfer]

Yes you can relocate no problems, as im looking to do the same being in the middle of restoring a crewcab and hate the current placement, but you will need to have a reinforcing plate behind the mounting, other than that it will be fine for the MOT, ive already enquired at the MOT station.
hope that helps,
graham.

[Cafnod]

Hmmmm
Not sure here. Thing is the seat belts anchorages in vehicles for construction and use have to be to a BS number and I dont have the information here now but problem is how do we at home do that? All an mot station can say is whether or not they would pass it. i have said before that an mot tester only looks at whether or not there are grounds for refusal of a certificate. Their knowledge of construction and use, which is the legal side of things is nil, they are not lawyers just people who tell you (in their opinion) if something is permissable as far as the MOT regs go.
The ministry are a diferent kettle of fish. so are insurance companies. I am not saying belts cannot be moved and be legal, I used to drive a friends cosworth which had 4 point racing harnesses but I would speak to the insurer, they will almost certainly say get an engineers report, probably from a specialist although maybe an independant. Total PITA

[ermie571]

Cafnod - that is good info.

BUT>>>if there is a mounting point there already (as there is on my van) and it came like it from factory, then surely the construction side of things is ok?

Em
x

[Cafnod]

Yes definitely legal Em I wasnt questioning your extra mounts, often used to happen in commercials, fitting different anchorages cos of different uses.
I itted rear seat belts to a lot of older Ford Granadas that had the upper anchorage on the C pillar under the trim, and as it was a BS approved belt going into a BS approved anchorage there were no issues, many people are capable of making a mount that EXCEEDS the standards, or something that in the opinion of a designated mot tester who is also a certificated motor engineer is perfectly safe, however years back I worked on a fairground workers living vehicle, although it weighed five tons it was tested as a motor caravan and had been one for years, it was also as an original commercial vehicle seat belt exempt however it had had belts fitted. I would not have used them, they were unsafe, top anchorage was a bolt and washer in 1/2 inch plywood, owner explained to me that a garage had refused to test it without belts, they had put those in and the garage had passed it. it did not legally have to have them and the ones fitted were unsafe AND illegal, this wasnt in the 1960s BTW but 1991.
Make your own minds up...................................

[Epiphone]

just got around to shrinking the pic, as u can see below, the right hand bolt is for the seat belt, and is rusted through

Img_5254_small.jpg

may need to replace the whole wheel arch anyway