Three point authomatic Seat belt

[Antonio]

Hi, could anybody suggest me if it is possible to install on my SL230 a 3 point authomatic Seat bealt? It exists in bordeaux color?
Thanks for your help!
Tony

[zoegrlh]

By automatic, you mean a belt with a reel?  There are factory female holes drilled and tapped to set up a three point belts.

[Antonio]

Yes a belt with a reel. 👍🏻

[rwmastel]

Have you searched the forums much?  Lots of conversation (and info!) over the years.  There is also great info the Tech Manual.

[Antonio]

Thank you for your help, kindness and  comprehensives response.

[rwmastel]

Here's the Tech Manual entry I hoped you would find.  Learning to search is very beneficial.
https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Interior/Seatbelts

[Pawel66]

Antonio, encouragement to use Search function is, actually, meant to help you. You will find much more than anybody would answer in one e-mail. It is, actually, best to look through the Technical Manual, then do the search and then everybody here is happy to answer any questions you may have. This is for a general question such as yours.

To use the search, type in in the upper right corner window (using parenthesis): "three point seat belts" and you will get 9 hits to start with.

When you type in "retractable seat belts" you will get 37 hits.

You will probably find 95% answers there. Not sure about bordeaux color (it was not available for these cars).

[mdsalemi]

"Antonio, L'incoraggiamento a usare la funzione di ricerca, Antonio, ha lo scopo di aiutarti. Troverai molte più informazioni di quelle che chiunque potrebbe darti in una singola email. In effetti, la cosa migliore da fare è consultare il manuale tecnico, poi usare la funzione di ricerca e, infine, saremo tutti felici di rispondere alle tue domande. Questo vale per domande generiche come la tua.

Per usare la funzione di ricerca, digita nell'angolo in alto a destra (usando le virgolette): "cinture di sicurezza a tre punti" e otterrai 9 risultati per cominciare.

Quando scrivi "cinture di sicurezza a riavvolgimento" otterrai 37 risultati.

Probabilmente troverai il 95% delle risposte lì. Non sono sicuro del colore bordeaux (non era disponibile per queste auto)."

Now, that being said, what I did for my 280SL and I to not think there are many differences that would affect this, is to use the specifications that Mercedes-Benz put into a technical bulletin in 1989. I will send you the PDF of the service bulletin on this. As it is from Mercedes-Benz in USA, it is in English.

[MikeSimon]

The OP is looking for instructions to install RETRACTABLE 3-point seat belts. The 3-point standard seat belt installation instruction is no help. The problem is, there is no room for the reel in a W113.
There was a service bulletin from MB to install retractable belts which involved cutting into the B-pillar behind the doors. Quite elaborate. Some owners have installed the reel under the boards in the cavity behind the seats. Concern is the movement of the belt from out there. I have been looking into this issue for 20 years and still do not have seat belts in my car.

[rwmastel]

Hi Mike.  That's all in the link I gave the OP.

He may have to shop around a while to get the specific color belt material, or maybe get it custom dyed.

[Cees Klumper]

I installed 3 point automatic belts in my 280 SL without cutting into the B-pillar. The belt moves freely - not as perfectly as in a modern car, you have to take some care, but it's quite ok. Automatic belts are really a major comfort improvement.

[rwmastel]

Cees,

Did you put your retractable reel forward of the cross member, near the seat?  Or, did you hide it under the parcel shelf?

[JamesL]

Have a chat with FDTS - http://fdts-seatbelts.co.uk/Services.htm
They have the equipment and can make belts in most colours. They know the cars (did belts for mine and others).

I seem to recall seeing the "outer" reel mounts (the inners are on the transmission tunnel) can be in slightly different locations and there is/was a fitting kit

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=14833.msg101821#msg101821

[mdsalemi]

…The problem is, there is no room for the reel in a W113.
There was a service bulletin from MB to install retractable belts which involved cutting into the B-pillar behind the doors. Quite elaborate. Some owners have installed the reel under the boards in the cavity behind the seats. Concern is the movement of the belt from out there. I have been looking into this issue for 20 years and still do not have seat belts in my car.

When my car was restored in 1999-2000, I provided the technical service bulletin from Mercedes-Benz North America to the restorer. He bought the parts from MB and did the work without any issues. The bulletin is from May 1989. The seat belt kit was from a sedan and carried part number 114 860 23 85. Some other parts are required as noted in the instructions.

The reels are hidden and they look and perform as if they were designed that way from the start.

From a driver and passenger POV, perfect function. Zero complaints.

[MikeSimon]

. The bulletin is from May 1989. The seat belt kit was from a sedan and carried part number 114 860 23 85. Some other parts are required as noted in the instructions.

The bulletin I have and copy posted is from September 1975

[Cees Klumper]

Cees,

Did you put your retractable reel forward of the cross member, near the seat?  Or, did you hide it under the parcel shelf?

Hey Rodd - I did not hide the reel under the parcel shelf, I suppose it's in front of the cross member (don't recall exactly and I am now back in California while the car is in France)

[John Betsch - "SADIE"]

Just another alternative.  Mine are a brand named REPA, installed by the previous owner in Germany in the 1980's