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MG MGA - Seat Belts

My recently acquired MGA has static seat belts fitted. They are fine if the hood is up but a nightmare to use when the hood is down and stowed. Trying to thread the belts through or past the hood frame is such a pain. Also is there a belt guide that could be screwed to the top of the back rest to prevent the belt slipping off my shoulder? Thanks
John Stephens

John
this may sound like a weird question but do your static seat-belts actually have quick-release connectors where they attach to the fixing point on the wheel arch?

If they do, you should release them each time you raise or lower the hood and then re-connect them after the hood is either up or down.

These quick release mountings make using the seat belts a lot easier and also the belt is not trapped in the hood frame each time you lower the hood, which is a much safer option.

Colyn

Lots of information about seat belts (and EVERYTHING else you ever need to know) on the amazing MGA Guru website
https://mgaguru.com/mgtech/interior/int122.htm
Colyn Firth

John

Welcome to the MGA world.

I understand exactly what you are saying. I think originally they may have just had lap belts. I rethreaded mine so it sits better with the roof down, as that’s how I do most of my driving.
But I seem to remember seeing someone had fitted theirs using a clevis pin at the anchor so it can be rethreaded very easily depending on the season. It may well be in the archives or someone else may come along with the answer.

I have definitely also seen shoulder guides to stop the straps slipping down but again I am afraid, I’m not sure where. Hopefully someone will be able to step up with the supplier details.
Graham V

Todd Clarke (USA) makes the Mk.11 modification which has a release mechanism to re-route the belt after the hood is stowed. Stainless steel so no rusting.
I have used them to great effect.
Barry.
Barry Gannon

Heres a (poor quality) pic of the quick release seat belt mounting on the rear wheel arch of my car, viewed from above.
The ring it clips onto bolts through the wheel arch which is reinforced with a metal plate on the outside.
(The duck tape is there to help protect the paint from the metal clip)

It can be released easily with one hand, which makes it much easier because most of the time you can't actually see the clip because the folded hood is in the way.

These were supplied and fitted by Bob West.

Colyn


Colyn Firth

John Lots of thoughts in this archive thread title "seat belt mounting improving this"
https://mg-cars.org.uk/cgi-bin/or17?runprog=mgbbs&access=&mode=archiveth&subject=6&subjectar=6&thread=2011032719210513293

I designed and tested to failure a bracket for the top mounting which brings the top point higher up over the shoulder. It still has a tendency to fall off the shoulder though.

Re top quick release clips are found on MGBs I think.
http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/belts.htm has some details on the quick release fitting.

John Francis

John (Francis),
Just thought I would let you know that I tried to open the first link in your post and it wouldn't open.

Colyn
Colyn Firth

Hi Colyn

Yes I know it doesn't work. I have forgotten how to create the links to the archive that work. Someone has told us in the past, Steve G? However, if you search for that title in the archive you should be able to find it.
John Francis

The usual fix is to remove the letter "s" from the https John.

However, when I tried this, the link opened up the thread we were already on.

Colyn
Colyn Firth

Re my seat belt problem, thanks everyone for your advice. I've contacted two companies that can supply the detachable belt. Looks promising, will let you know how I get on.
John Stephens

This thread was discussed between 10/03/2020 and 14/03/2020

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