Harnesses

[Iain]

Can't really find much on the Internet about these so I'll ask you lot. :)

What should you be looking for in a set of harnesses? Is there any advantage of getting 4-point over 3-point ones as they seem to be more expensive. Are there any main brands I should look at or steer clear of? Finally, is it safe to buy these second hand?

[nova ian]

3 point are good for if you dont want loads of mounting points, Most brands like Sparco, Luke and Willans etc are usually FIA approved.

As for second hand ones, I got a pair of red 3 points for a tenner with anchor bolts!! and there like brand new!! As long as there not all frayed then they will be fine!

[Iain]

Cheers mate. I'm not too bothered about the amount of mounting points (3/4) as long as it doesn't mean drilling the floor, but wanted to get some decent ones (respectable brand) for obvious reasons

[nova ian]

Go with three points then, because you can use the seat belt release button anchor points in the back and then either side of the seat obviously

[draper]

have you sorted any subframes yet ??

also when mounting your not supposed to mount the shoulder straps to the floor directly behind the seat, best bet is 3 point and mount it to the rear seat-belt mount on the c piller

[Iain]

I'm sure I've heard the C pillar is not a good place to mount them (somebody clarify please?). I was planning on mounting them to the rear seatbelt points like most I've seen have done.

Planning on attempting to attach Nova seat subframes to the seats, if that doesn't work then I'll just buy some proper ones. :)

[Steve0011]

a bit of aan open question m8

but.................

what do you want them for? competition or road use?

all the major manufacturers do both street (EU) certified and competition belts.

These are.....

sparco
omp
luke
schroth
sabelt

the street legal belts with 2" staps start at about ?45+ each new
competition (FIA approved) start at ?100 each

any of the above makers are a good bet, but on a personal point i would only use new.

another thing to consider is that to mount the belt properly you will effectively loose the rear seat!!

i know this is a bit brief but hope it helps

Ebay have loads of 'street legal' belts for sale in pairs and various colours, have a good luck and you can pick-up a NEW bargain. say ?60-?70 for 2

good luck

steve

:eek: 5 replys while i was typing :eek: :D

some points above...

the rear mounting (shoulder straps) should be as near as possible to horizontal this is generally not possible in a standard car the next best place is the anchor points of the rear lap belts. if you are sitting in the drivers seat the standard anchor point down to the right is fine for one side of the lap belt, you WILL need to fit a fixing point to your left this will mean drilling the floor. if you get subframes and bucket seats dont be tempted to use the anchor point on the subframe (left side) as this is designed for the standard seatbelt clip

hope this helps

[Iain]

Cheers for the big post Steve! :)

Will be for road use, will only need road legal ones. Not bothered about losing the rear seat, will be coming out. I've seen cheap no-brand road-legal ones on eBay but wanted something a little better.

..Why can't I use the subframe mount to the left of the drivers seat for mounting though? Will it not be strong enough?

[draper]

surely it must be strong enough if the standard belt clip goes there already ??

[Steve0011]

you should try and mount the belts so they are a symetrical as possible this will give an even amount of hold (cant think of another word ;)) if the worst should happen

another point - try and keep you standard seat belts in place for 2 reasons

1. quicker to put on when nipping to the shops :)
2. some MOT testers dont understand harnesses sound silly but its true :rolleyes:

go to Ebay type in HARNSSES -pads then choose car parts section, loads will pop up

S

[Iain]

I guess you're saying it's a case of making the harness better than the original seatbelt, and not that mounting the harness to the subframe point will be dangerous..?

Will keep the original seatbelt though, cheers. Have been looking at eBay, decent & new ones seem to be ?100 there. :)

[Philsutton]

I have 4 point harnesses in mine, and one of the things it failed an mot on was the fact I had mounted the harness in the same points as the standard seat belts.

Just goes to show you that retards can actually get jobs at garages as well as mac donaolds

[Steve0011]

god yes! you MUST be lookin to equal or better the original belts. i am not saying it would be dangerous to use the subframe location (i would prob get flamed for that one;)) but i have built my own rally car and assisted on several others and had no probs with MOT or scruteneers. just drill the hole for the mounting eye-bolt and backing plate (you know you wanna ;)) its a bit of a pain to do (you have to move the exhaust heat shield first) but well worth it

[Iain]

Okay I'll think about it. lol Meanwhile, another question!.. lol

What's the difference between "Fixed catch clubman" (http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=ROAD&pcode=SAB901002N) and "Spring catch clubman" (http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=ROAD&pcode=SAB901005N)? Does the fixed catch bolt straight in whereas the spring catch use those eye bolts? :)

[Steve0011]

FIXED - if you look at the ends of the belt you bolt in.

SPRING FIX means you need eye bolt to clip it to (note the option for quick removal) MOT time????

no more questions, im goin home in a min :D:D

[Iain]

Yes Sir! Your help is appreciated.

[R1CH]

The fixed catch ones are bolted straight to the floor & the spring catch ones have eyelets bolted to the floor then the belts clip on to the eyelets.
I've got some 3 point sparco ones in mine, mines bolted to the origional mount on the sill & rear belt mount then i welded a plate with a captive nut to the exhaust tunnel to mount the other side of the belt.
When i was looking at buying some i just got some cheapish ones with a decent brand name, there ok but the buckles that hold the belts to a set length comes loose now and again, not in a dangerous way its just you've gotta adjust them every time you get in & out !!

These are the ones i got - http://www.demontweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=MSPORT&pcode=S/H4608BVB

Rich

[R1CH]

I need to type faster !!
:(

[Steve0011]

no probs m8

shame your not local or i would help you bl**dy fit em :)

any volunteers in Nottingham??? :D

[Iain]

lol I shouldn't have a problem fitting 'em, I just make damn well sure I'm buying the right product before I spend my lovely money :)

Cheers Rich, I'll probably go for something similar! :)

[Steve0011]

right i really am goin now :)

if money is no object???

buy FIA approved 3" lap and shoulder straps, will last you a lifetime, more comfy as 2" can dig in a bit. There are some on Ebay (not a make i know) but FIA approved (thats the magic word) ?78 or best offer each

go for it :D

[Iain]

Money is an object lol I don't like spending money really lol Non-FIA approved ones should do me. :p

[Philsutton]

I got my seats and harnesses off ebay for about 140 for both of them. Lol they might be cheap but they still look new now and are a lot harder wearing than the expensive ones ive had before. Only problem is i had to make up my sub frames from scratch lol

[Iain]

Nice one. Got myself some Corbeau seats which I'll try and mount to Nova subframes, just looking for some harnesses and I'll be sorted.

[Bouch]

Personally i'd go for the 4 point belts with the air-craft style buckle.
The reason being that if you are involved in a accident and end up on your roof(god forbid), it is alot harder to get out of the car with the clubmans style belts as the shoulder and waist straps stay connected.