SteveP Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 I'm talking about the standard Caterham aircraft style release 4 point harness as fitted to my R300. I want to swap the passenger side "buckle" onto the inboard strap (like it is with the driver's side) so that when people get out of the car, the heavy buckle doesn't smack onto the outside of the body. I know that this is possible, but how? I started at the weekend by taking the small sticker off the centre of the buckle, and took out the retaining screw underneath. Cap came off no problem. I was then faced with two much smaller screws holding down a plate and as I started to undo one of these, suddenly there was a force exerted on the underside of the plate which felt very much like a spring would shortly be vacating the buckle if I proceeded any further. So I did it all back up again, and posted this thread. Anybody done this out there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug phillips Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 I want to do this also, but I know it has been posted before but I cant find it on a search. So come on poeple please tell us. 😬 😬 Doug, Su77on Se7ens See our web site here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelspeed Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Yep. And you're nearly right but there's not just one spring there's about half a dozen. Each of the straps has a spring loaded tapered pin except for the one fixed one, at present the outside lap strap, which has a longer pin and no spring. You undo it just as you've said and very carefully lift the plate clear, then spend an hour on your hands and knees looking for all the springs and pins..... Probably easiest to remove the two relevant straps from the car and do the swop on the bench where you can lay it out carefully. Swop the fixed pin for the spring loaded one opposite and reassemble. Forget the exact details but I've done it three or four times without too much difficulty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph Morgan Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Steve, Don't forget when you refit the top plate that it has machined "dimples" on the underside to locate the springs, and can be refitted in two positions 180 degrees apart. As you can tell, I fitted it 180 degrees out first time, with the result that a couple of the the springs didn't locate properly and jammed, preventing the buckles from being inserted in their slots (the slots are not equally spaced around the buckle). It's obvious when you look at the plate and position of the two countersunk holes for the fixing screws, but worth knowing/checking in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Put the buckle in a clear plastic bag - that way no lost parts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony C Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 When I did mine: 1. I first removed it from the car so that I could do it in comfort at the table. 2. Place it on some white paper so you can see all the bits that may drop out. 3. I removed the backplate first and removed the removable strap - THEN RE-INSTALED THE BACKPLATE. 4. Remove the centre scre at the front as per what you did and if you undo the small scres carefully and evenly - all will be revealed. 5. The springs shouldn't fly out; they are coated with grease. 6. swap over (180 degree apart) the fixed and the standard pin. 7. Put the front plate back on - using Loctite on the screws. 8. Take-off the backplate again and swap over the straps. 9. Again, use Loctite on the screws. 10. Bob's yer Uncle 😬 BRG Brooklands Aero Screen SV 😬 It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. (Antoine de Saint-Exupery) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug phillips Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Thanks to you all, now .............. will I do it tonight. *confused* *confused* Doug, Su77on Se7ens See our web site here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mav Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Clamp your hand round the buckle BEFORE you start undoing the screws Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonbell Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Alternatively get Luke to do it.......I sent one of mine back for repair at the start of the year and it was back within a couple of days, they aren`t hard to pay either. FOR SALE Birkin S3 2.0 Zetec 170bhp FOR SALE This week I will be mostly test driving a duratec powered Birkin S3 with IRS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberts Wallet Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Steve, Ian told me how to do this. If it can wait I'll show you on Thursday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 To remove the buckle from the fixed belt: 1. Find a bradle! (or use a grinder to butcher a small screw driver). 2. Look at the back of the buckle and locate the small hole closest to the fixed tang. 3. Insert the bradel into the hole and press firmly to release the locking pin, then pull the tang out. remove the buckle to the warmth and comfort of your kitchen table an tinker away to your hearts content 😬 Tricky Academy 2003 Group 1 Number 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveP Posted September 30, 2003 Author Share Posted September 30, 2003 Thanks all for the responses - doesn't sound hard, just my 'anything I touch instantly goes wrong' paranoia kicking in 😬, hence get advice first. Gareth, no it's not urgent so if we can have a chat Thursday that would be great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedazzled Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 Isn't Blatchat great? I've been wondering about this for ages and I ended up sticking some foam on my passenger side buckle to prevent dents from careless passengers! Steve - let me know how you get on as I'd like to swap the buckle over too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubbster Posted October 5, 2003 Share Posted October 5, 2003 Have you managed to do it yet? When I tried, I couldn't even undo the centre screw! Didn't want to use an impact driver on it, so left it on the passenger side. See some photo's of the build here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony C Posted October 5, 2003 Share Posted October 5, 2003 It is tight AND it will have Loctite on it. Did you try to do it on-the-bench? If you have it off the car, it should submit to a normal screwdriver BRG Brooklands SV 😬 It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. (Antoine de Saint-Exupery) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shn7 Posted October 6, 2003 Share Posted October 6, 2003 Er, Excuse me but wouldn't it be easier and less fiddly just to swap the whole strap from one side to the other? Or am I being totally daft not having a car to check this on at the moment. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony C Posted October 6, 2003 Share Posted October 6, 2003 You could do that, but you would then have the release lever sticking upwards, which I understand is a little uncomfortable BRG Brooklands SV 😬 It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. (Antoine de Saint-Exupery) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted October 6, 2003 Share Posted October 6, 2003 .... and the buckle has 5 clips, 2 at the top for shoulder straps one at each side for the belt and one underneath for the crutch strap Tricky Academy 2003 Group 1 Number 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedazzled Posted October 6, 2003 Share Posted October 6, 2003 Well, I had a look at this over the w/e but I couldn't budge the screws with a normal screwdriver - it felt like they were glued in place!? I've just stuck some felt on the front of the passenger buckle to prevent dents etc but it looks a bit cr*p and would be better if it could be swapped over. Maybe I'll just add it to the list for the next service at Dartford... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shn7 Posted October 6, 2003 Share Posted October 6, 2003 TonyC, Tricky, See I knew I was missing something not having a seven at the moment. ☹️ Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UFO Posted October 7, 2003 Share Posted October 7, 2003 Bedazzled..persevere, the screws will come out. They are just coated in thread lock. Mine were tight, but once the thread lock gives, they will come out easy. The screws are only short.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony C Posted October 7, 2003 Share Posted October 7, 2003 Good God man, put some effort into it 😬 BRG Brooklands SV 😬 It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. (Antoine de Saint-Exupery) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveP Posted October 7, 2003 Author Share Posted October 7, 2003 Not tried this again yet (house move imminent), but can confirm that they can all be un-done with a normal screwdriver whilst the buckle is still in the car - the main screw is a bit odd as it turns to whole cap against the spring first so it might feel like you can't undo it but keep twisting and it will eventually go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frying Pan Posted October 25, 2003 Share Posted October 25, 2003 Just tried to convert mine, but couldn't undo the screws... Got three of the rear screws out, but the other two began to round off so gave up - they are TIGHT I'm going to ring Luke next week and see how much they charge. Simon - do you remember what you paid? Guy See some pictures of the build here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mav Posted October 26, 2003 Share Posted October 26, 2003 Did one today - 5 minute job. Screws were very tight - best advise is to get a screwdriver that fits *perfectly* and do the job sitting in the car. Exerting enough pressure through the driver to make sure it does not slip and round off the screws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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