seatbelt help?

[Jamie Lessie]

Nathan and I recently discovered the seatbelts in the MR2 are not functional. You tug on them and they do not lock. I guess that is what happens after over 300k miles.

This is a problem for me.

Apparently the locking mechanisms needed to fix them need to be ordered from the dealer and are expensive and are not just a bolt-in install.

I would like to drive my car around with piece of mind. I wear my seatbelt because I feel naked without it (not that naked is bad but you get the idea) If I get in an accident they will do absolutely nothing.

Ideas?

I was thinking about racing harnesses. There is a drivers harness. It is ackward but it is functional (made for a big person) Anyone know where to get some good inexpensive harnesses?

I would prefer not to use harnesses though. I can imagine getting pulled over and a cop scratching his head as to why the people in the car are wearing them and my car is not exactly *ahem* carb happy.

[Eric Clements]

Have you tried braking really hard and then pulling the belt? On some cars it's hard to just pull the belt fast enough to get it to lock.

If they really don't work, used belt should be easy to find. JDM turbo engine suppliers get the whole rear clip (including seatbelts) of MR2's. MR2OC.com has people parting out cars all the time.

[Bob Pl]

Hi Jamie,

Try pulling the belt out a little & hold it with one hand & leave a little slack in the belt. Then let the one hand & jerk the belt with the other. This puts some speed into the retractor/lock mechanism. It may be working.

4/5/6 point harnesses are not street/DOT legal (maybe one or two are) and are not meant to use with stock seats.

There is a thing called CG Lock that might work for autox. Google it.

[Kurt Rahn]

There is a thing called CG Lock that might work for autox. Google it.

I have one. It works really well. Might not help in this case, though, as it's really meant to fasten the lap belt really tightly, but doesn't do anything to the part that goes across your chest, which is where the retractor/lock is.

[Eric Clements]

There is a thing called CG Lock that might work for autox. Google it.

The CG Lock is excellent for a lap belt. You can get it from http://www.evoschool.com/shop/index.php ... t_list&c=9" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Take a school and get a bigger discount!

[Jayson Woodruff]

Check for seat belt recalls on that make model. They were very common in that era, and could score you new belts.

The Schroth 4 point I think is the only DOT legal harness on the market.

Jay W

[Will Kalman]

There is a thing called CG Lock that might work for autox. Google it.

I have one. It works really well. Might not help in this case, though, as it's really meant to fasten the lap belt really tightly, but doesn't do anything to the part that goes across your chest, which is where the retractor/lock is.

Roll your seat back, snap the shoulder belt to lock it close to your chest, then roll the seat into the belt. You'll be nice and snug! I use this technique in the HS Civic.

[Aaron Goldsmith]

There is a thing called CG Lock that might work for autox. Google it.

I have one. It works really well. Might not help in this case, though, as it's really meant to fasten the lap belt really tightly, but doesn't do anything to the part that goes across your chest, which is where the retractor/lock is.

Roll your seat back, snap the shoulder belt to lock it close to your chest, then roll the seat into the belt. You'll be nice and snug! I use this technique in the HS Civic.

Works especially well with electric seats.

[Kurt Rahn]

Works especially well with electric seats.

That's how I used to do it before I got the CG Lock. Suck it in, do the Tom Berry Twist (tm) and move the seat up. Works pretty well. CG Lock is easier.

[Jamie Lessie]

Eric,

Can you do me a favor and test the belts on your car (if it is at your house)? I would really like something to compare it to.

I have tried tugging on them while breaking, I have tried pulling them out a bit, then tugging, I have tried tugging really fast, and tugging repetitively.

[Eric Clements]

I sent Matt out to try. He was able to get the belts to lock on both MR2's by just pulling/jerking on the belts...