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SPF Seatbelt latch issues
Has anyone ever had any problems unlatching there lap belt after a drive. I have had no problems with belts until yesterday. I came back form a drive and could not unlatch myself. I had to ask my wife for a screw driver to pry the latch open.
This made me start thinking that if I was in accident and had to get out in a hurry, I would be in screwed. Has this happened to anyone else? Any possible fixes? |
That's a new one on me, haven't heard that before.
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Yes...a couple of times a long time ago - I replaced my duckbill latches with Simpson camlock belts. But...meanwhile, I shot a little teflon lube in the little spring-loaded ball latches that held the duckbill latch closed. They seem to get dry and the oxidation keeps the ball from retracting when you pull on the duckbill. The teflon worked well...no more problems.
Hope this helps... |
Is there a spring loaded ball bearing in the latch. If i remember correctly I had to oil mine at one time. I have since switched to rotary camlocks.
Chet |
Freddie just confirmed. Thanks. See you in June
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Common Problem
Freddie is right on it, a common problem with anything with moving parts, a drop or two of any oil should fix it. Do like Freddie and spend a couple of bucks and get some nice cam lock belts from G Force, Sparco, or Teamtech. :3DSMILE:
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In have to say that my seat belts also stick and more often than not I'm unable to open them. I carry a pliers so when they stick I use the handle of the pliers and slide it under the latch and lift it up to pop the latch open.
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I threaded a rawhide shoe lace through the hole in the latch......tied it so it made a loop. It makes it much easier to open with cold stiff hands.
Mike |
Guys, if your factory orginal Deist duckbills are that tough to work loose then you either need to lightly lubricate them or replace them. It's like any other mechanical part...they require lubricant to work properly and they will wear out over time. The last thing you want to worry about in a panic stop and jettison routine (i.e. engine/cabin fire) is whether or not the belts will easily come undone. I'm equally amused by the pliers and shoe lace shade tree fixes, but we're talking about your safety here. :eek:
-Dean #747 |
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Also...don't forget, guys, your seat belts have a finite life. Sun, rain, and constant abrasion from loosening/tightening them will cause them to become weaker with age - like all of us, I guess. Anyway, SFI and every sanctioning body I know of require replacing your belts every 2* years. It may not be a big issue to you, unless you plan on tracking your car from time to time....but, then again, it's your fanny in there, not mine. I figure there's a reason why they specifiy replacing them every 2* years, and a reason why they're dated from the manufacturers. With as much track time as I put on my car every year, #770's are about to be replaced in the next couple of weeks. I'd sure hate to see anyone lose an entire weekend because their seat belts didn't meet tech....that's sure a crummy way to miss a track time event. *NOTE: I questioned this after I wrote it, so I did a little web-research...turns out SFI requires recertification of your belts every 2 years, according their 16.1 spec. |
I've never had any problems with the seat belts.
I have some teflon based bicycle chain oil that I use on various parts that move on the Cobra (hinges, trunk support struts, etc). Its not greasy, does not drip and works great. http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...4/DSCN4208.JPG |
Listen to Freddie.How do you think he got his name?His belts failed one day at the track and he became...Flyin' Freddie.%/
Fred,How the hell ya been?:D |
Hey Bill...! How are ya...?
Naw..I got my moniker by almost killing myself in a Super Decathalon in front of a bunch of my flying buddies. Boy, did that airplane snap quick...! :rolleyes: ...and it took a LOT longer to recover than I expected. :( Had it not been for a depression in the field, I may have been "Pushin'-Up-Daisies Freddie"...! :eek: Moral: Never let your alligator mouth out run...er, "out fly"...your hummingbird ass! :LOL: |
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Think of the revenue. EVERY racer in EVERY body replacing his belts every two years. Damn. Anyway, it should be the driver's choice. |
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