Sécurity belt

[mar083]

Hi all.
I want to change my seat belt on my Elan S4. Question: How do I disassemble the rear panel to reach the upper anchor point of the seat belt?
Christian

[tonyabacus]

Christian
From memory I think the top end of the belt has a spring loaded clip which hooks over the anchorage loop on the body, so you can take the belt out without having to remove the belt hoop. I will check mine and come back to you, but may be worth youi having a second look
Tony

[rgh0]

On the S4 ( at least on my FHC) there was originally an extension for the seat bely of a bracket from the strut tower that came though a small cut out in the rear panel at the top corner that the seat belt bolt went into. It can buried under carpet trim or it may have been removed at some stage. The extension off the strut tower bracket for the seat belt bolt is adjustable in length and if screwed in to far it can end up behind the rear panel

cheers
Rohan

[mar083]

Thank you TONY and ROHAN.
In my S4 the upper end of the belt is behind the panel. So if you know, where are the fixings of this panel to be able to remove it.

[512BB]

The top of the seat belt is held via a square section bolt, screwed into the end of the bracket which is fixed to the tower. There is no room for adjustment on that bolt. It should be screwed all the way in to the bracket.

You need to remove that aluminium strip Christian, by undoing the twin headed screws that pass through the strip and the backboard if you want to look behind the backboard.

The spring loaded black plastic clip thingy, marked PRESS, is part of the seat belt assembly that is fixed to the inner, lower chassis mounting bolt. It allows for quick disassembly / undoing of the belt by an emergency worker should the worst happen.

Leslie

[mar083]

Ok I have already unscrewed the aluminum strip. A screw resists but I'll get there. You say we have to remove the panel, yes but how to remove it?

[512BB]

I forgot, there are also some self tapping screws in various places on the board. Find them and unscrew. Also, you have to remove the seat belt at the top mounting. The board should come away then.

Leslie

[mar083]

OK I'm looking for the screws in the panel
chris

[mar083]

I can't find rivets or other fixing on the panel. It seems to be fixed at the bottom, at the level of the tunnel? But by what? I don't see anything
Chris

[oldelanman]

There is a small angle bracket on top of the tunnel with 3 self tapping screws. The screw heads are probably hidden by the felt and carpet on top of the tunnel.

[mar083]

Thank you OLDELANMAN.
Now I understand everything. you have to remove the battery and the POP rivets are behind it. I may have to cut the carpet flush with the tunnel. But I can see the end of the tunnel to change my belts..
Have a nice day

[oldelanman]

You do not need to remove the battery. The screws holding the bottom of the panel are accessed from inside the car, not in the boot. Lift the rear edge of the carpet and felt on the top of the tunnel where it joins the back panel and you should find the screws.

[mar083]

Thank you for all your advice. I had to remove the battery because there were no screws but POP rivets. So a drill shot from the inside. I would replace them with screws when reassembling. The panel is outside and I have access to the seat belt fastener. On the bottom anchor I will fix the retractor and the return of the belt and at the top the belt guide with an extension tab to get out of the panel. A photo in progress.
Christian