Leyland P76 Owners 2004 |
Technical |
SEAT BELTS-ARE YOURS OK?
by Geoff Ogilvie
If your car is a P76 like mine then chances are it is approaching thirty years old. When was the last time you checked your belts? Seat belts like other parts of your car wear out. Even though they are not lifed as such, the fact is that their useful life depends on several factors.
Amount of daily use they get. Worn, frayed or ripped belts need replacing.
The amount of exposure to UV light. If you store your car outside in the direct sunlight, especially in Australia or New Zealand with our ozone layer holes, the seat belts should be replaced.
Moisture. If the belts are abnormally exposed to wet and dry cycles such as being stored in the open with leaking door seals they should be replaced.
Chemicals. If the belts have been contaminated with oils, gasoline, or corrosive chemicals they should also be replaced.
Accidents. If you have been involved in a severe stopping situation (Crash) the buckles and attachment points need to be checked and if necessary replaced. The high “G” loads placed on the belts, buckles and attachment points reduces the life of the system. Better to be safe than sorry
- policy applies here.
As with crash helmets, it is not good practice to replace old belts with second hand belts, unless you know the history of the replacement belts in detail. You could be replacing your worn belts with even more worn belts.
Attachment points and quick release buckle. While your belts maybe okay you should also check your attachment point bolts and more importantly the structural condition of the attachment car frame (Side sills and B pillars). These are the areas that the “G” forces involved in severe stopping incidents are transmitted too. The weakest link in the chain should always be considered when checking seat belt safety. Rust and corrosion is the primary concern here. If necessary replace the attachment flanges and bolts. Rust, in these critical areas of the car frame, should be removed and the area repaired with metal.
So where do you go to get your new belts from or go to have your belts checked? I suggest you give Barry Ashen of Aero Spec a call at (07) 3801 2330 and discuss your situation with him. Barry makes CAMS licensed seat belts for race cars so there is not a lot that he doesn’t know about seat belts.
If you are involved in aviation or know someone who is give your local Aero Club/ Flying School a call and ask to talk to their airframe mechanic. They have a wealth of knowledge in the seat belt restraint business. A good panel beater, crash repairer is also a good source of information.
