Spyder Seat Belt Install on S4

[jbeach]

Dear Elan Community,

I?m having difficulty installing my Spyder inertia reel seatbelt kit. The brackets that fit over the shock towers do not fit snugly, as you can see from this photo:

There is a gap at the front and the back of almost 1/2 inch. Is this normal? Should I need to use spacers between the bracket and the body? Spyder provider some photos (of little use) and has otherwise been unresponsive.

Thanks in advance for your help!

-John

[Grizzly]

I don't have them myself but i did do some reading up on them a while back to potentially swap my fixed belts, there is a fair bit about them if you do a search.

lotus-chassis-f36/spyder-seat-belts-dhc-t28096.html

the picture quoted above is on this thread lotus-elan-f19/elan-restoration-t27833.html

Maybe worth a PM to terryp ?

[Craven]

I posted this somewhere on this site and an explanation but it?s so counter intuitive design I don?t think it was accepted as true.

[jbeach]

Thanks to both of you.

I?ve found and read a fair number of posts about this product on the site and so far haven?t seen ones addressing my ?fit? issue. On the other hand, Craven, your photo does and I am intrigued by your use of the supplied spacer. I?ve tried to find your original post to read your explanation, but so far without success.

I?m going to work on this now and try to find the right combination of spacers that will result in a solid install.

Thanks for both of your thoughts and assistance. When I get this done I?ll post a few photos.

Best,

-John

[skelteanema]

Hi John,
I hope you have managed to fit this successfully. I fitted this seat belt conversion a couple of years ago to my S3 DHC and did not have too much trouble fitting them. It is a great kit and does the job superbly well.

I do recall that there was the space you observed, but there were two plates (one with a captive nut) and a top-hat washer/spacer. The two plates went either side of the shock tower (the one with the captive nut outside the car) and the top-hat spacer went through the bracket with the wider part on the outside. As you tightened the bolt, the top-hat washer forced the bracket against the metal plate effectively clamping the two plates together, giving quite a snug it.

Maybe you are missing a few parts?

Spider sent me a bunch of photos (quite blurry) when I ordered the system, I have attached two here. The first photo shows the parts I received and the approximate layout, the two plates, and the top-hat spacer (on the bolt) are on the right hand upper side. The second shows the installation from inside the boot. You can see the top-hat spacer on the bolt, and the plate behind the bracket.


Hope that helps

Skittle

[Alquinn]

Hi all. I’m new to this forum. About 80% thru a 4 year resto of a 1967 S3. Hoping to finish around July ~ August. The car suffered fire damage and it’s been a nut and bolt and learning the fibre glass trade for me and my pal John Larkin well known on this forum! Anyway we re stuck on fitting the Spydercars seatbelt turret kit so would anyone be able to post fitting instructions or photos of a finished installation please. Thanks alan

[pharriso]

Anyway we re stuck on fitting the Spydercars seatbelt turret kit so would anyone be able to post fitting instructions or photos of a finished installation please. Thanks alan

Your life could depend on these seat belts being fitted correctly, contact Spyder direct for instructions if anything is unclear.

[Alquinn]

Thanks. I sent spyder an email requesting instructions and pictures. Awaiting a response. I f i get them i ll happily share on this forum
Regards
Alan

[Craven]

viewtopic.php?f=36&t=42900