howard@cca.UUCP (Howard Bernstein) (02/02/84)
I have a Ford Escort and was always surprised that when pulling sharply on the shoulder harness I could not get the seatbelt mechanism to stop the forward motion. On most other cars I try this with the mechanism locks immediatly. Does anyone know anything about this mechanism in particular, or a way to sufficently test the mechanism without getting into an accident ?
ted@teldata.UUCP (ted) (02/07/84)
* I had a Celica and I also could not get the belt to stop. The locks seem to operate on forward deceleration of the vehicle, not belt motion. Occassionally when travelling down hill at a good rate of speed (35-45mph) and braking fairly hard I would find myself pushed against a locked shoulder belt. Several time during the time I owned that car I would repeat this experiment to test the belt and the results were repeatable enough to maintain my confidence in the belt.
tbm@hocda.UUCP (T.MERRICK) (02/10/84)
. I had the experience of repairing a 1972 Volvo seatbelt mechanism a few months ago. There is a small weight which will respond to G forces in other than the straight down to cause engagement of a clutch which locks the belt. "Nuff said. Tom Merrick ATT BTL MV