are 4 point harnesses with the aircraft style buckle (1/4 turn type) legal for road use and sva?
also, ive read somewhere that sva inspecrors do not like the clip on type fixings - the harnesses should be fixed to the chassis using bolts.
im sure someone will be able to put me straight.
cheers chaps,
Tom
As far as I am aware aircraft buckle would fail SVA as you are supposed to be able to fasten the seatbelt with one hand. Technically it would also
fail an MOT but in reality I guess it depends as ever on the inspector.
Not sure about bolting or clips.
Rich.
Shortie -
I think its supposed to be released with one hand lol
I couldnt do up my 4 points with one hand - 3 points yes but not any style of 4 point.
It's definitely do up with one hand, any harness can be undone with one hand.
The harnesses that are SVA compliant have a seatbelt type buckle which means you can do it up with one hand.
As per this post :- http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=19499
Rich.
[Edited on 7/2/05 by shortie]
When I spoke to the SVA Inspectors at Nottingham they said that any 4 point harness was acceptable - hence I've bought ones with the aircraft
style buckle.
The only test they did on the harness was that it can be undone whilst the belts are under tension i.e whilst you are hanging upside down in an
overturned car 
But that's just Nottingham, I would suggest that you ring the SVA Centre you plan on using comes the time.
The SVA manual defo says just needs to open with one hand. The theory is that you can get out in an accident if one hand has been damaged.
i would like to see anyone on here do up a 4 point harness with a standard closure with one hand.
quote:
Originally posted by shortie
It's definitely do up with one hand, any harness can be undone with one hand.
The harnesses that are SVA compliant have a seatbelt type buckle which means you can do it up with one hand.
As per this post :- http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=19499
Rich.
[Edited on 7/2/05 by shortie]
AFAIK you can use either the bolt-on type or those with a clip which fastens to an eyebolt. I'll have to check me SVA manual to be sure though. Must admit, can't see the value in being able to do 'em up one-handed, undo yes but not do up.
I agree that the SVA manual says nothing about doing up the harnesses with one hand. You must be able to release the buckle with one hand moving in
one direction. I think it is the "one direction" bit which causes the grey area as the aircraft type turnbuckles rotate.
On the eye bolts I'd be careful as I believe some SVA inspectors will fail these because they are not considered to be a permanent part of the
vehicle. Personally I'd stick with bolted fittings and a push button release if you've not yet bought your harnesses and make sure you
comply with the mounting height requirements as covered in other threads. MAC#1 Motorsports do a nice pair of Sabelt 4 point bolted, pushbutton belts
for £80 a pair (or at least they did when I bought mine...)
Cheers,
Craig.
sorry guys, looks like I'm wrong here with the do up, must be undo.
Just that as always it's down to interpretation when it gets to SVA, other posts seem to suggest that you may have a problem with the aircraft
style buckles.
Rich.
The manual is not specific on clip on-vs bolt-on harnesses. Only key specifics are that it is either E-marked(or various other marks) OR is the same
as an E-Marked or otherwise approved harness, and that it opens and adjusts freely with one hand.
My only worry was about the clips on the ends of the harnesses failing on radius requirements, but that's not difficult to resolve, a bit of foam
tape there should be ok for that application unless the examiner is being a real pain.
An edge, to which the min' rad' requirement is applied, must be over approximately 5mm thick - I think.
Check the SVA Manual
My father had clip on harness fixing at his first SVA 'submission'. The clip on bit was OK but he failed because the eye bolts were part of
the roll bar that was bolted to the chassis via riv-nuts. He was given three options to fix;
1. Weld roll bar to chassis (would ruin powder coat).
2. Bolt to chassis right through the box section (no rivnuts allowed) but the box would have to have a support in the centre to stop crush when
tightened up,
3. Fit threaded bar sections (weld) to the chassis ensuring correct height.
He got some threaded bar from Mac#1, welded to chassis and passed next time round.
HTH.
Darren.
thanks for the speedy replies guys - im not sure whether to take my chances and go for the aircraft style buckle, or the usual one - i much prefer the
looks of the rotatable bit....
cheers,
Tom
I know your dilemma, I don't have it as I already have the aircraft type ones. I asked on the Westy forum and they nearly all had aircraft ones with no probs at SVA, same with many on the Caterham forum so?????????????? Who knows??