MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
I need to put new seatbelts in my 79. I think I have the originals in there. But, I am at the Moss website and I cant figure out what is what. The webpage is:
http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/SearchResults.aspx?SearchText=seatbelt&WebCatalogID=8
Anyone know which one I should buy?
Thanks,
If you check with a safety supply place or a drag racing shop you may be able to get your belts re-webbed. As long as the buckles and retractor mechanism are good they can probably make as good as new. Mind you, I've never worked on the late MG retractor mechanism so I have no idea if what I'm suggesting is feasible! :)
What would I expect to pay for re-webbing, Terry?
Hopefully less than $200!
This looks exactly like what I just bought from the-radster-factory at more than double the cost. Too bad I already installed the pricey ones..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Seat-Belt-MG-MGB-81-80-79-78-77-76-75-74-73-72-71-70_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ50458QQihZ001QQitemZ110126705039QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V
This looks to be exactly what I just bought and installed from TRF at more than double the cost....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Seat-Belt-MG-MGB-81-80-79-78-77-76-75-74-73-72-71-70_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ50458QQihZ001QQitemZ110126705039QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V
If you are the adventurous type, you could pick up a set of cheap universal belts, take them apart and use the webbing to fix yours.
I put a set in my 65, since the base I was stationed on required belts (they didn't care that the car was not equipped with them). I made all the proper sewing on them by hand since my wife at the time wouldn't let me near her sewing machine.
It can be difficult to find companies that will "repair" or restore seatbelts; just too much liability. Most after-market vendors even state in their documentation that if your car is involved in ANY moving accident the complete safety-belt system must be replaced.
I have the generic retractor belts that most of the resellers use. They are great in that the motion system is VERY sensitive; that's also bad because they tend to get tighter as you ride along. With the top down this is much more pronounced.
If I had my druthers I'd like the fixed sholder belts of the 71 type.
The companies that do the repairs specialize in this and are certified in some way. My re-webbed belts actually have a label sewn onto them telling who rewebbed them and their specifications.
I paid less than $200 CAD, but that was for non-retractable (don't know if it makes a difference). I also got new buckles for that price. I just didn't trust the Kangol magnetic latches with my life.
Folkd, the same upholstery shop that swapped my seat covers said they could re-web my seatbelts for about $80 once they looked at the problem. After removing my seatbelts for the carpet install, they locked up on me.
I took them in to the shop this morning, and after 20 minutes of unlocking, lubing the mechanism and testing, testing, testing the movement, I was off. Working seatbelts, no charge! I love the feel of $200 STILL in my wallet.
Lee....can you loan me $200 - I could use some new belts! :D
I'd be real carefull with something like seat belts. People around here, even the rigging shops that sew nylon chokers and tiedowns, becuase of the liability. Snakeoyle told me that they would not touch our retractable belts a few years ago because they were just too sensitive to not being perfectly right. They would sew new webbing on them but I had to dissassemble and reassemble them. Whether they work properly or not may cost someone their life. That said, I bought new from BritTek and was/am not happy with what I got. No slur against BritTek mind you, just the design of the belt. Mine has a big knobby protrusion sticking out one side. Both retracters are the same, not handed. With the locvation of a BGT belt anchoring points one all but touches the side window. The ones Moss has would be better than what I bought. Think Securon was the brand I bought and one of these days I will replace them with a different version
I have the generic ones...Securon....http://www.securon.co.uk/ and they work great.
If you access the Moss site via your car make vs going directly through Accessirues they only give you couple choices on this page: <http://www.mossmotors.com/Browse/PlateMenuProducts.aspx?WebCatalogID=8&PlateTypeID=1&SubcomponentID=85>
The inertia reel style they sell might even be Securon though I got mine from Vicky Brit (an infrequent purchase there...don't like 'em). While they are a little touchy (which is fine) I don't have the continual tightening up problem. You do have to make sure the little arrows that orient the lock mechanism to "Up" and "Forward" are properly adjusted as that will make them even more finicky.
