Another Harness/Seat mounting question

[MattJB]

First up, this isn't about mounting shoulder straps to rear seat belt points - they will be wrapped to the harness bar on the SD cage. But thanks to the spine savers who checked.

I'm going to run 6 point sparco harnesses. I'm happy with the shoulder straps and intend to use an M10 eye bolt for the outside lap belt point. What I'm not sure on is the inside lap belt point and the crotch straps.

For the inside lap belt point I was thinking of using an M8 eye bolt to mount the seat subframe down and then attaching to that. But, I haven't found any decent looking M8 eyebolts of suitable length, plus I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to load the bolt in crash with both seat and harness loads? So is a UNF eyelet and spreader plate a better option? If so where to put it? Side of the 'transmission tunnel'?

For the crotch straps I'd planned spreaders/eyebolts but the harness doesn't have clips, just straight straps like the shoulder straps. I don't have anything to wrap them around. Should I just buy something like:

http://www.rallysportdirect.com/Sparco-Harness-Snap-In-Clip-Competition

Then use spreaders/eyebolts?

Any comments/pictures/suggestions welcome!

Thanks

 

[NorthloopCup]

If I get time I'll upload some pics of where and how I've mounted mine tomorrow. Please though, don't use m8 eyelets mate. If they break you may as well not be wearing a harness. For a harness to work properly in the event of a mishap it all needs to be held secure and worn tight.

I don't mean that to sound condescending either mate, so please don't take it that way. There's certain measurements that need to be adhered to when mounting them as well.
I've got schroth harnesses in mine and they came with fitting instructions, so see if you can find some that are specific to the ones your going to use.

 

[MattJB]

Thanks, that's exactly the sort of response I'm looking for. Like I said I already had my concerns with using them - M8 bolts off the list! I'll go for spreader plates with 7/16 eye bolts. The M10 outboard mounting point is considered OK though? I'll have a look for some sparco mounting instructions.

 

[bozothenutter]

Schroth do some plates with holes in each end for mounting their belts on.

 

[ilovewilly]

On my 5 points I drilled two holes in the transmission tunnel and put spreader plates behind with M10 eye bolts and used the existing sill points for the outside fixing.

Lap wise - a hole beneath, again with a spreader plate underneath.

 

[NorthloopCup]

@MattJB follow the link and have a good read.

http://www.msar.co.uk/pdf/UsersGuideRacingHarness.pdf

This is the schroth guide for installation. Take note of the dimensions for the distances between the lap belt mounting points.

If you've got any questions or want any pics give me a shout.

In fact, @Cub. @Sunglasses_Ron @jesus could you make a sticky with the link in it for others to have for future reference? Mounting harnesses is a bit of a grey area and an incorrectly mounted harness will happily f**k your day up.
If you could make a sticky I'd appreciate it. :smile:

 

[MattJB]

Thanks for all the responses.

@NorthloopCup that is a fantastic pdf! Also can't believe I've never stumbled across MSAR, that's basically a one stop shop for the fitting bits I need.

My Google skills must be way worse than I thought to have missed them both.

There's plenty of bed time reading for me and that answers all my questions I think. If you have some pictures of the fittings welded in, particularly the tunnel location, that would be great. But only if you have some to hand as I don't think I need them now, more just curiosity. Will unfortunately be a while before I get round to doing all this too.

 

[NorthloopCup]

Thanks for all the responses.

@NorthloopCup that is a fantastic pdf! Also can't believe I've never stumbled across MSAR, that's basically a one stop shop for the fitting bits I need.

My Google skills must be way worse than I thought to have missed them both.

There's plenty of bed time reading for me and that answers all my questions I think. If you have some pictures of the fittings welded in, particularly the tunnel location, that would be great. But only if you have some to hand as I don't think I need them now, more just curiosity. Will unfortunately be a while before I get round to doing all this too.

No worries mate. Glad to help tbh. Regards the pics - yeah not a problem I'll get some taken and uploaded for you. I'll tag you when they're up. I have welded in seat tubes in my car and I also have nothing secured into the tunnel for the harnesses mate.

 

[Rubicon_]

@NorthloopCup have you got any pictures of where you have mounted yours? Unsure on the best option for the lap belts.

 

[NorthloopCup]

@NorthloopCup have you got any pictures of where you have mounted yours? Unsure on the best option for the lap belts.

I'll try and get you some pictures mate.

 

[Schweppy]

Any chance someone could post photos of the inner (tunnel) mounting points as I need to be drilling them in soon.

Also are there any spreader plates that fit without needing to be cut down for the tunnel?

Thanks

 

[MarkX]

Any chance someone could post photos of the inner (tunnel) mounting points as I need to be drilling them in soon.

Also are there any spreader plates that fit without needing to be cut down for the tunnel?

Thanks

you're best sticking to the 40mm ones imo, mot and scrutineering may pick up smaller ones, I think 40mm is minimum in the blue book too

 

[Schweppy]

40mm square fit ok in the tunnel?

 

[Schweppy]

Can only find smallest 55mm...

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=231608051672&globalID=EBAY-GB

 

[dann2707]

40mm square fit ok in the tunnel?

I can get you some pics tomorrow mate, just done mine last weekend.

We had to use 55mm plates but bend them a bit for the tunnel so that they conform to the shape of the tunnel.

 

[Schweppy]

I can get you some pics tomorrow mate, just done mine last weekend.

We had to use 55mm plates but bend them a bit for the tunnel so that they conform to the shape of the tunnel.

That would be awesome dude. Don't suppose you took a pic of the bent plate?

Or did you bend it in situ?

 

[dann2707]

I didn't, but it's like a trial and error procedure. We used a vice and tapped it with a hammer to get the contour of the tunnel.

Will get some snaps tomorrow

 

[Rubicon_]

I used 1 of these per seat for the inside mounting point. They bolt to the subframe bolts and bend up allowing the harness to clip on.

http://www.msar.co.uk/motorsports/R...Harness-Hardware/Schroth-B23A-Bracket_88.html

 

[Schweppy]

I guess those go on top of the subframe with a washer on top of that?

I think the MSA guide and scrutineering say that it's best to have separate fixings for seats and harnesses.

 

[aucky]

I used 1 of these per seat for the inside mounting point. They bolt to the subframe bolts and bend up allowing the harness to clip on.

http://www.msar.co.uk/motorsports/R...Harness-Hardware/Schroth-B23A-Bracket_88.html

On both sides?

 

[Rubicon_]

On both sides?

1 per seat for the inside lap mount, I mounted the other side via eye bolt in pre existing hole.

I guess those go on top of the subframe with a washer on top of that?

I think the MSA guide and scrutineering say that it's best to have separate fixings for seats and harnesses.

Yeah on top of the subframe. I'm sure eyebolts would be better but for normal track use this does the job without drilling any holes.

 

[aucky]

Did that make the seat wonky, having one corner with the spade in?

 

[MattJB]

I got some smaller spreader plates from @markfishy which he recommends for use in the tunnel (it's double skinned there) and for anti submarine straps. He does a lot of race cars and said it isn't a problem at scrutineering. I'll try to grab some pictures.

 

[Rubicon_]

Did that make the seat wonky, having one corner with the spade in?

No because it's bolted on top of the subframe,
won't effect the level.

 

[aucky]

No because it's bolted on top of the subframe,
won't effect the level.

Would you mind grabbing a quick pic?

 

[Rubicon_]

Would you mind grabbing a quick pic?

And the other side is attached here:

 

[Schweppy]

Nice. I like that, just not sure how strong it would be in a crash with pressure from the harness and seat. Did you use a standard M8 bolt or 7/16 unf?

 

[JamesBryan]

Nice. I like that, just not sure how strong it would be in a crash with pressure from the harness and seat. Did you use a standard M8 bolt or 7/16 unf?

It looks like an M8 12.9 high tensile socket cap bolt, so it should be strong enough. Although I do prefer to mount the seat and belt mounting seperately.

 

[Rubicon_]

Yeah 12.9 the bolts are. I think maybe in the long run I'll switch to eye bolts to keep everything in line, I'd say these are more than safe enough just now though.

 

[NorthloopCup]

And the other side is attached here:

Ideally the lap belts are supposed to be secured within the width of your hips. I've tried to get pics of mine but dark garage and awkward access = w**k pics.

 

[Schweppy]

So that would mean underneath or behind the seat???

 

[NorthloopCup]

So that would mean underneath or behind the seat???

Behind the seat mate. It's all about angles. Basically, if it's not within a certain range you stand a good chance of pelvic and abdominal injuries in the event of an accident.

 

[NorthloopCup]

Have a read of the text in here. You should be able to read it ok. @Schweppy

 

[Schweppy]

Thanks dude!

 

[NorthloopCup]

Thanks dude!

No worries mate. It's all in the sticky that I got @Cub. to do with the msar link. If your struggling just give me a mention or drop me a pm. :up:

 

[Schweppy]

Just to add to this, are these suitable for the exhaust tunnel?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280524286039

 

[JamesBryan]

I prefer the ones like this.

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/1x-Harness-...3D280524286039&_trksid=p2056116.c100408.m2460

 

[Schweppy]

Agreed for the other mounting points but thought those would be better as narrower to fit in the tunnel and won't need bending etc.

 

[JamesBryan]

Ahh yeah.

I'm not too sure, the ones I linked are perfect for Meganes as they sit in the floor just behind the seat, just drill a hole and flip them over so the nut is underneath and weld in.

 

[MattJB]

@Schweppy those are the style that I used in the tunnel.