Repairing seat belts

samba-lee · Oct 28, 2007

Having pulled the rear seat in my GT4 and removed the seat belt because it was partially ripped near the front belt mounting point I figured it was be easy to repait anyway. The rip is close to the sticked over end so if I just cut the bad out, thread it through the mounting buckle and restitch it will be as good as new, albeit about 6" shorter.

Clearly I'll have to use some substantial thread in the sewing machine and copy the original stitch pattern, but any thoughts on a DIY restitch ?

Lee

greyboxer · Oct 28, 2007

I'm not sure if you refer to a front belt but it is you may find its an MOT failure item after the repair

In the UK thread someone has been recommended who does new straps for very little money

Of course it could be that you do not value you or your passengers lives.......

Protouring442 · Oct 28, 2007

I don't know about anyplace in the UK, but here in the US there is a place called SnakeOyl that can remanufacture seatbelts. A quick search on the web should turn them up.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

FasterIsBetter · Oct 28, 2007

Don't try a DIY fix on seat belt stitching. It's dangerous. You need a special thread and industrial sewing machine to do it properly, and new seatbelts are not that expensive that it makes any sense to even try repairing a damaged one. If the seatbelt webbing is damaged, buy a new one. There are enough places around that sell replacement belts that you should be able to find one that will work. After all, Ferrari didn't make their own belts, they bought them from a supplier.

bert308 · Oct 28, 2007

I have front belts from an Alfa 33 in my 308GTS and the rear belts from the 33 in my Lancia Montecarlo.

Protouring442 · Oct 28, 2007

Here's the link for the Ssnake Oyl site. We had them do custom belts for my dad's '56 Chevy, very nice, legal, and safe!

http://www.ssnake-oyl.com/

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

samba-lee · Oct 28, 2007

Thanks, I was just seeing what the combined wisdom thought - yes of course I was twitchy about the idea of re-stitching.

The thread in the UK section sounds very expensive for what you get!

I think just a set of replacement units will suffice. I can get new equivalent for about £20 each from securon.

Thus taking my rear seat out (which was difficult) was not in vain

thanks

Lee

'76 GT4

Steve King · Oct 28, 2007

There are a few places on ebay under ferrari parts that sell replacement seatbelts. Give it a look and I bet you will find a set.

Gianluca · Oct 29, 2007

I think that although new belts may be inexpensive why not repair the original yourself? The new webbing is readily available and stitching it is not rocket science. A home sewing machine will handle a T-90 nylon thread. Use it with a # 18 regular (NOT leather) needle (this is the largest needle for a home machine). More or less copy the original stitch pattern, lenght etc. Why would this belt be dangerous? Industrial sewing machines are nice indeed for continuos work of this kind but an older home machine will easily sew such belts.
Again, it may be easier to spend the money and be done with it but a properly remade belt can be made just about as easily.
Just my thought.

Gianluca

samba-lee · Oct 29, 2007

My thoughts entirely. I've seen rusty mounting points on old cars which are probably more dangerous than a well done DIY job.

Now I have the seats out, I may as well put new ones in though as torn belts are only one thing that wears out. I've had cars where the pendulum does not lock out and buckles which don't stay in all the time... Probably best to renew throughout. : )

Lee

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