New style safety belt installation, Who has done it? Options

[draganc]

Hello folks and happy spring!

I didn’t feel comfortable with my original safety belts on my
‘75 teener and ordered some new placements from and made
in Germany.

The belts we advertised as a match for my ‘75 2.0 but they are
not really a plug and play setup.

The oem has a chrome belt guide mounted behind the retractor,
which the new one doesn’t have. However, the new belt has a
pivoting plastic belt guide, pointed towards the front.

A few questions:

1) would you remove and transfer the oem chrome belt guide?

2) if not to 2), would you space/shim out to new retractor of the
thickness of the “missing” belt guide?

3) the new retractor has the pin missing, which the oem has to
fixates the belt guide and the oem retractor.

Is the pin necessary if not used with the oem belt guide?

Thanks for sharing your insight and experience!!
dc

[rjames]

I think you need the pin to keep the assembly from rotating. Depending on the design, the locking mechanism might not work correctly if it's rotated- at least that's how they guy I talked to from Seatbelt Planet explained it to me several years ago. The one from Seatbelt Planet looks like it comes with all hardware needed (and the pin). I have a set still in a box that I test fitted and they worked fine, but am holding off installing them for now because I found some NOS belts. I know others here have installed them without any issues.

Seatbelt Planet Porsche 914 '73-'76

Maybe contact the your seller and see if they sell an adapter plate with the pin? If not, maybe you can buy just the plate with the pin from Seatbelt Planet.

[East coaster]

Seatbelt planet shows 73-76 fitment. I’m wondering why these won’t work for my ‘72? It has the mounting for the retractable belts like a 73+.

[ClayPerrine]

I have the seat belt planet belts in the big six. They are great, with one exception.

The buckles that bolt to the floor are too tall. It makes it hard to close the center console box.

Clay

[rjames]

Seatbelt planet shows 73-76 fitment. I’m wondering why these won’t work for my ‘72? It has the mounting for the retractable belts like a 73+.

If you have the later style mounting then they will fit.

[draganc]

well, i'm glad that we have determined that the "seat belt planet" part will fit. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

can we circle back to my question if anybody knows if i need the chrome belt-guide?

[rjames]

well, i'm glad that we have determined that the "seat belt planet" part will fit. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

can we circle back to my question if anybody knows if i need the chrome belt-guide?

I don't think so, but I think you need the pin.

[GregAmy]

well, i'm glad that we have determined that the "seat belt planet" part will fit. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

can we circle back to my question if anybody knows if i need the chrome belt-guide?

Hmmm, ok, so why did you buy safety-related parts that don't fit your car, and now you're asking a group of people that didn't do that how you can modify those safety-related parts to fit on your car (and, presumably, still be safe)?

Maybe you'd instead want to call the vendor who sold you those parts? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) - GA

[draganc]

well, i'm glad that we have determined that the "seat belt planet" part will fit. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

can we circle back to my question if anybody knows if i need the chrome belt-guide?

Hmmm, ok, so why did you buy safety-related parts that don't fit your car, and now you're asking a group of people that didn't do that how you can modify those safety-related parts to fit on your car (and, presumably, still be safe)?

Maybe you'd instead want to call the vendor who sold you those parts? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) - GA

I guess you didn’t read my first post thoroughly: “…The belts we>re< advertised as a match for my ‘75 2.0…and...Thanks for sharing your insight and experience….”.



For the rest of the group, who has used new parts, have you used the chrome belt guide or just the adapter plate?

Thanks in advance!

[emerygt350]

My ten year old son and I put in new seat belts this morning. Super easy and wow, what an improvement. I got them from seatbelt planet. I did the driver side and he did the passenger. Didn't even take the seats out.

[SirAndy]

.. have you used the chrome belt guide or just the adapter plate? ...

Without the guide, the belts won't move and/or retract correctly. It quite literally guides the belt into the correct plane for the internals of the roller to work correctly.

So yes, the guide is needed. And as already mentioned above, the pin is crucial to the safe operation as well.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

[draganc]

Quick update, I spoke to the seller in Germany today and he said his belt are approved for our 914s and he has sold many of them w/o any issues.

He explained that the integrated belt guide replaces the OEM chrome guide, which would need the pin to keep the belt guide aligned with the seatbelt retractor.

He also explained that, if I want to OEM look, I can replace the integrated
guide for the chrome guide but would need the pin therefore.

I’m also working on a “adapter” plate as a intermediate solution. I’ll keep you posted!

[emerygt350]

.. have you used the chrome belt guide or just the adapter plate? ...

Without the guide, the belts won't move and/or retract correctly. It quite literally guides the belt into the correct plane for the internals of the roller to work correctly.

So yes, the guide is needed. And as already mentioned above, the pin is crucial to the safe operation as well.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

Uh oh. I didn't put the chrome guide or even the bit with the guide that came with them, just bolted them straight in. Work great but I guess maybe I should take another look? I guess that's the problem with selling people something without instructions?

Wait. What chrome guide?

[draganc]

Follow up and conclusion for the next information seekers about the TRW seat
belts that are made in and bought from Germany.

I spoke to the seller in Germany and the seat belts are TÜV certified for our 914.
Very friendly and called me back Sat 7pm CET.

I also reviewed the manufacture‘s installation drawings, which indicated that the
retractor needs to be installed at 0deg in the horizontally (hence, flush with the
firewall) and +/- 8deg vertically.

The recessed mounting position, at least on my 75 firewall, is „self aligning” and
doesn’t allow any major movement beyond the required +/-8 deg.

The new retractor doesn’t need to OEM chrome belt guide, since it’s already
integrated it’s design - see original picture above.

Long story short, it fits like a glove, new and made in Germany and the complete
kit was shipped $215 to the US.

My two cents on the oem setup: you must use the chrome guide for intended
purpose. The pin fixates the guide and the retractor to the firewall in the 0deg
position.