Author Topic: Seat Belts  (Read 1248 times)

Harry

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Seat Belts
« on: July 29, 2025, 20:09:54 »
1966 230SL

I saw the recent seat belt string "Original Kangol Seatbelt Mounting Points" but since that one has grown a bit, I decided to start a new string.  For the many years that we have had this car, I have had a concern about the safety of the original 2-point lap belt system.  So I've decided to convert to the retractable 3-point system instead.  (I am not opting to source a set of Kangols because the originality in this area is not important enough to me to suffer the cost.)

My question is the mounting point for the retractor.  In the referenced post, I see that there are two locations at the bottom of the B-pillar that have been used.  One is on the inside and the other is on the front.  I think I would like to avoid the front position so that the range of travel for the seats is not impacted.

My question is for those who have chosen the inside position and how they anchored the retractor to the B-pillar?  I have the original set of instructions (found in a related post) that utilizes a modified mounting plate.  Is there another approach that has been successful?  If so, that response with photos would be very welcome.

Thanks,
Harry
Harry Bailey
Knoxville, TN
1966 230SL
Automatic

clunker

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Re: Seat Belts
« Reply #1 on: July 30, 2025, 13:17:18 »
Charles
1969 US 280SL 4-speed Red/Black
DB9 / 981 S / G300 SWB / CB750 / etc

Harry

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Re: Seat Belts
« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2025, 16:57:47 »
Had seen a few of these.  Thanks!
Harry Bailey
Knoxville, TN
1966 230SL
Automatic

TJMart

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Re: Seat Belts
« Reply #3 on: July 31, 2025, 18:30:10 »
Had seen a few of these.  Thanks!
"My question is for those who have chosen the inside position and how they anchored the retractor to the B-pillar?  I have the original set of instructions (found in a related post) that utilizes a modified mounting plate.  Is there another approach that has been successful?  If so, that response with photos would be very welcome."

Harry, I replaced my Kangols with the 3 point belt system. I used the Mercedes Service Information MBNA 91/15 Dated May 1989 that is in the technical manual. I shopped around for seat belts and got so many suppliers it made my head hurt. I wanted to find someone that would supply a kit with all the hardware that were correctly sized for our cars. I ran across a referral by one of our members "Stick & Rudderman" that uses Quickfit Safety Belt Service" in the UK.

They sold me all the parts needed and their quality is excellent. That took a lot of guesswork out of buying the correct parts so I could focus on the install.

My only issue was mounting the spool inside the B pillar because I too did not want to give up any seat travel.

I did not use the bracket that came with the belts and chose to mount them using the Mercedes mounting threaded plate. Part #110 610 02 11 that is mentioned in the Service Instructions. I drilled a 35mm access hole in the place you see in the posts by Clunker and holes to match the mounting plates. I did not need to alter the plates in any way as they mention in the instructions. I then screwed two bolts to hold the plate and then bolted the spools to the center hole of the plates. Some how I lost my pictures but using the posts by Clunker you will figure it out.

Once you remove the side panel covers to the B pillars it will make more sense, at least for me it did. If you choose to go this route order the plates first to make sure they are available. I got mine at K & K. 
« Last Edit: July 31, 2025, 18:46:36 by TJMart »
Tony
1970 280SL, 4 Speed

Harry

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Re: Seat Belts
« Reply #4 on: August 02, 2025, 16:32:14 »
Tony,

Thanks for your post on this topic.  I don't find those plates on the K&K website, but I could be totally missing them?  Can you share where you found them on the site?

My car has the two floor mounting points as shown in the Technical Manual and identified as "US Aftermarket mounting points for 2-point lap belts".  Since those are present, I was going to use them in some fashion along with the threaded hole in the B pillar and mounting the retractor at the bottom of the B-pillar (below the parcel shelf).  That's where I would use the plates.

Incidentally, I didn't see a post by "Clunker" but the mbze post from January of 2016 shows what I think you're describing.

Thanks again!
Harry
Harry Bailey
Knoxville, TN
1966 230SL
Automatic

clunker

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Re: Seat Belts
« Reply #5 on: August 02, 2025, 17:52:10 »
Harry,

I had to get mine from SLShop in UK, but Niemoller in Germany also sells them and ships to US. Confirming the part number is 1106100211. These are not highly engineered pieces and not visible once installed, so I expect a stronger acceptable substitute could be easily fabricated from a bar and three welded on nuts.

The plate is 800x375x3mm steel, outer holes are 500mm apart O.C. with M6-1.0 threads, the center hole is 7/16-20 (SAE not metric.)

--Charles
« Last Edit: August 02, 2025, 18:09:50 by clunker »
Charles
1969 US 280SL 4-speed Red/Black
DB9 / 981 S / G300 SWB / CB750 / etc

Lori

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Lori
1968 280SL (US)

GM

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Re: Seat Belts
« Reply #7 on: August 02, 2025, 18:03:23 »
https://www.oldtimer-sicherheitsgurte.de/fahrzeugauswahl/mercedes/w113-pagode/w113-pagode.html
I'd recommend measuring what size belt receptacle (mounted on the transmission tunnel, between the seats) you want.
« Last Edit: August 02, 2025, 22:54:29 by GM »
Gary
1971 280SL - Sold
(98 from the end of production)
DB180 Silver Gray Metallic
Black MB Tex

Harry

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Re: Seat Belts
« Reply #8 on: August 02, 2025, 20:11:17 »
Thanks everyone - very helpful as usual!

Harry
Harry Bailey
Knoxville, TN
1966 230SL
Automatic

rwmastel

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Re: Seat Belts
« Reply #9 on: August 02, 2025, 23:23:57 »
I know I'll be using this excellent advice, so thanks in advance!
Rodd

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