R107 rear 3-point belts...

[AndyE]

Got my 500SL yesterday and am very pleased with it so far:



It has rear seats and lap-belts so took my kids to school in it this morning. There was enough room (they're only 7 & 5), but I wasn't too happy about the lap-belts. With the front seats being so close I imagined that they'd hit their face if I had to brake suddenly.

[When I was young in the 70s/80s I was one of 4 and no one ever worried about such things - and my mum/dad never crashed so wasn't a problem]

Anyway when I was looking at 107s I cam across one that had rear 3-point static belts fitted, they were attached to the bodywork under the valance that covers the soft-top.

I would be happier with this arrangement & the obligatory booster seats.

I came across this:

BestAutoBits Car Caravan & Truck Accessories - 3 Point Adjustable Static Seat Belt 2.0 Metres 3 Point Adjustable Static Seat Belt

and was thinking of buying and fitting.

Has anyone done this themselves? Is there anything I need to know before I get my drill out? I don't really want to attach the belts to the fuel tank by mistake!

Thanks

 

[SilverSaloon]

......

 

[SilverSaloon]

My kids are 3 and 5 and I have the same issue with my SL.

I spoke to Seat Belt Repairs | Seat Belt Replacement | Seat Belt Refurbishment – Quick Fit SBS Ltd and they told me their 107 3 point belt kit can be fitted by them (need car for a few hours) or they can just supply the kit.

Seat Belt Gallery | Mercedes Seat Belts – Quick Fit SBS Ltd

they said one new hole in the wheel arch is all that is needed. it uses the other existing 2 bolts.

they said it has to be a static 3 point belt rather than one with a reel due to there being no space due to the hood compartment.... but i'm not too concerned about that - probably better infact as it keeps the kids static in place!

i plan to do this for this summer.... i'd be interested in how you get on too...

hehe, also, make sure you tell the kids in advance not to touch the roof lever when on the move!!

thanks

derek

 

[AndyE]

My kids are 3 and 5 and I have the same issue with my SL.

I spoke to Seat Belt Repairs | Seat Belt Replacement | Seat Belt Refurbishment – Quick Fit SBS Ltd and they told me their 107 3 point belt kit can be fitted by them (need car for a few hours) or they can just supply the kit.

Seat Belt Gallery | Mercedes Seat Belts – Quick Fit SBS Ltd

they said one new hole in the wheel arch is all that is needed. it uses the other existing 2 bolts.

they said it has to be a static 3 point belt rather than one with a reel due to there being no space due to the hood compartment.... but i'm not too concerned about that - probably better infact as it keeps the kids static in place!

i plan to do this for this summer.... i'd be interested in how you get on too...

hehe, also, make sure you tell the kids in advance not to touch the roof lever when on the move!!

thanks

derek

Thanks for the speedy response

Yes first thing my daughter said when I put her in the back this morning "Daddy what's this handle for"? LOL.

I'll try the "Quick Fit" place, although I'll have to order as they're 100-odd miles away. I'm sure I can fit them, if not then my loacal specialist can, although he said he'd never done this job before and usually only fits MB stuff.

 

[SilverSaloon]

I tried to find the original email i had from them where they emailed me the fitting guide, price etc, but i cant find it....

i think, from memory though your supplier you linked to in your 1st post was cheaper, for what looks like, the same stuff.

from memory, and i could be wrong, i think they quoted £200 fitted or £150 just supplied, so yours at £40 total would be fantastic.

i've been considering ordering the belts over the last 2 weeks incidently..... i'll definatly consider your supplier, in fact may order a set tommorow

only thing i can see from your supplier is their kit isnt really for a retrofit, so assumes all the mounts are already there... the quickfitsbs one comes with a proper mount etc to fit inside the wheel arch.... but i think these mounts can be purchased seperatly, ie from somewhere like here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FIA-Approved-...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item414d459786

also this supplier looked good when i last looked, but still more expensive than yours...

http://www.securon.co.uk/seatbelts_layouts.htm

 

[AndyE]

I had a poke around on the web earlier today and it seems like it is just a case of drilling a hole for a bolt in some sound metal, I assume access will be no problem, then using some large washers (maybe included in kit) to spread the load a bit. Suppose if the metal has a radius - which it probably will on the arch then may have to shape the washer or backing plate.

Someone on the Merc forum has just pointed out that there may be insurance issues with doing this job yourself, being a safty feature. Suppose could always get it inspected afterwards.



Cheers

 

[SilverSaloon]

I had a poke around on the web earlier today and it seems like it is just a case of drilling a hole for a bolt in some sound metal, I assume access will be no problem, then using some large washers (maybe included in kit) to spread the load a bit.

Unless anyone comes back with some warnings I think I'll just order the kit and get on with it.

Cheers

Hi,

yes i agree with you - this is what i also thought - i've just ordered 2 belts (via ebay incidently as price was the same and i got cashback though one fo the cashback sites, although not a huge amount).

i've held off on buying the mount bracket thing until i see whats included in the kit....

i may have a poke around on the SL tommorow to see where a suitable mount could be - i'd rather avoid the wheel arch if possible due to all the muck/water etc getting flicked up onto the new mount.

cheers

derek

 

[AndyE]

When I was looking at 107s I came across one that had them done, I can't remember exactly where they were anchored but it looked like it was the obvious place to put them given the angle that they need to enter the car at.

It may have been the arches that they were mounted on, suppose you could put some blobs of wax-oil or other sealant round it to make sure it's water tight and corrosion resistant.

Let me know how you get on -I updated my previous post since you posted re. possible insuarance issues(?)

 

[Oily Rag]

Got my 500SL yesterday and am very pleased with it so far:

View attachment 18038

It has rear seats and lap-belts so took my kids to school in it this morning. There was enough room (they're only 7 & 5), but I wasn't too happy about the lap-belts. With the front seats being so close I imagined that they'd hit their face if I had to brake suddenly.

[When I was young in the 70s/80s I was one of 4 and no one ever worried about such things - and my mum/dad never crashed so wasn't a problem]

Anyway when I was looking at 107s I cam across one that had rear 3-point static belts fitted, they were attached to the bodywork under the valance that covers the soft-top.

I would be happier with this arrangement & the obligatory booster seats.

I came across this:

BestAutoBits Car Caravan & Truck Accessories - 3 Point Adjustable Static Seat Belt 2.0 Metres 3 Point Adjustable Static Seat Belt

and was thinking of buying and fitting.

Has anyone done this themselves? Is there anything I need to know before I get my drill out? I don't really want to attach the belts to the fuel tank by mistake!

Thanks

Thats a nice motor Andy. Enjoy.

 

[SilverSaloon]

Not sure about insurance issues.... i guess like any modification it should be declared but i cant see it ever being an issue, if added professionally and neatly you could just argue its been like it since you had it and plead ignorance.... may aswell decare it though as its additional safey it shouldnt really increase the premium.... plus it would get tested at MOT time anyway so will be assured safe.... certainly something to think about though.

 

[AndyE]

Getting mine fitted by the SL Shop in Worcester (about 30 miles away).

They're coming to get the car with a trailer this Sunday, hopfully I should have it back by mid next week.

The DIY route will be much cheaper, but I can see it being one of those things that I don't actually get round to doing.

I'll post some pics when it's done.

 

[SilverSaloon]

Hi Andy,

please post back with info on where they put the new mount and (if possible) a photograph of the new mount, so i can fit mine in the same place.

thanks

Derek.

p.s. forgot to say, beutiful car - i bet you cant wait for the warmer weather to get the roof down! I certainly cant.... everyone i've spoken to with one of these have recommended a wind deflector.

 

[SilverSaloon]

Hi again,

the belts arrived from bestbuy and appear to be very good..... i'm looking forward to info on where the SL Shop have added the new mount.

i may also fit one of these belts to the centre on the rear of my W124 (as it also has a lap belt in the centre).

thanks

Derek

 

[AndyE]

Get car back yesterday with belts fitted. I'll have to remove the hard top to adjust them though. When I'm doing this I'll take some photos.

 

[SilverSaloon]

Get car back yesterday with belts fitted. I'll have to remove the hard top to adjust them though. When I'm doing this I'll take some photos.

cant wait to see them. i have the belts from bestbuy know (came quickly) and they look very good with them being a good match for the original buckle etc so once in place should look OEM.

 

[SilverSaloon]

Hi

OK, i've now fitted my own belts:

New mount goes in the same place as Andy's on the top of the wheel arch and secured with an approved racing safety harness mount i purchased on ebay;

New mount with belt in place:

Finished:

Big Teddy demonstrates its use:

:bannana:

 

[wemorgan]

Well done, a nice job.

Did the bolt come with the reinforcement plate too? I only ask as I'm currently designing seat belt reinforcements for an OEM and the bolt specification and torque are critical in the design. Just trying to keep you safe.

 

[SilverSaloon]

Did the bolt come with the reinforcement plate too?

No the belts came without any mounts (designed to just replace into existing mounts no doubt).

The mount i got was an FIA approved racing harness mount designed for track cars etc. The backing plate is nice and thick and is welded to the bolt.

I re-used the original merc bolts on the existing mounts and the new bolt which came with the belts and race harness mount on the new position.

The belt buckle design is very similar to OEM so they also look the part. The only downside is that there is a lot of slack belt once its adjusted - especially so with the children in them.... the belts are 2m long i think. This slack can be hidden underneath the seat base when not getting adjusted often.

This is mimicking this:

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/938886-post8.html

 

[300-SL-107-1987]

SL r107 Rear seat belt installation

Hi guys just baught my all time dream car and obviously cant resist my self from doing the bits and piecies.

Does any one have any hints on how to fix new rear seat belts on the R1o7 sear?

I am aware there are some notes for a 3 point seat belt but I will be installing one which is the 2 point.

Hope you know what I mean.

 

[Druk]

Hi

OK, i've now fitted my own belts:

New mount goes in the same place as Andy's on the top of the wheel arch and secured with an approved racing safety harness mount i purchased on ebay;

New mount with belt in place:

Just seen this pic Derek. With the hood stowed down is there not, by necessity, a lot of slack in the belt? Don't understand why the anchor point cant be through the inner wall of the hood well. They're surely not saying it's not strong enough?