Broken seat-belt arms
Moderators: jifflemon, coyote1980, Rachel
Broken seat-belt arms
Most of us have been there - the impatient mother-in-law/clumsy friend (here insert an appropriate person) insists they can get into the back without moving the seat-belt arm (here insert any other appropriate scenario) and there is the snapping sound of another piece of unobtanium biting the dust
Although not the only point they can break, the usual problem is that the small prong that holds the roller fitment snaps off:
Having seen mention of repairing these in a number of places, and given that these arms are simply a convenience and not an integral part of the seatbelt (which in my view should never be repaired) I thought I'd give it a go and do a "How To" at the same time.
Usually when these prongs snap off it isn't a clean break, meaning you can easily see exactly what angle they need to go back on.
Take a blunt ended (ie not self-tapping screw) and cut it to about 1 cm length - I used a screw designed for fixing a household socket to its back-box, because it is a good width and has a fine thread, meaning it should get a good grip. You can see it on the bench in the above photo - discard the part with the head on it.
Then carefully put a blob of paint in the centre of the broken end of the prong and gently press it into position against the rest of the arm - that will give you a location mark for drilling:
I used some red acrylic modelling paint but anything that isn't instantly dry would do...
Although not the only point they can break, the usual problem is that the small prong that holds the roller fitment snaps off:
Having seen mention of repairing these in a number of places, and given that these arms are simply a convenience and not an integral part of the seatbelt (which in my view should never be repaired) I thought I'd give it a go and do a "How To" at the same time.
Usually when these prongs snap off it isn't a clean break, meaning you can easily see exactly what angle they need to go back on.
Take a blunt ended (ie not self-tapping screw) and cut it to about 1 cm length - I used a screw designed for fixing a household socket to its back-box, because it is a good width and has a fine thread, meaning it should get a good grip. You can see it on the bench in the above photo - discard the part with the head on it.
Then carefully put a blob of paint in the centre of the broken end of the prong and gently press it into position against the rest of the arm - that will give you a location mark for drilling:
I used some red acrylic modelling paint but anything that isn't instantly dry would do...
Last edited by dcwalker on Tue Sep 14, 2021 9:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
Current: 1994 480 GT, 1996 460 CD & 1997 440 LE with lots of optional extras & 2007 V50 SE Sport
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!
Re: Broken seat-belt arms
Next comes the drilling. Be gentle and start small, working up to the size you need (which in the case of the electrical screw I used was 3.2mm).
The drill in the photo for my starting hole is 1.5mm:
I then worked up via 2mm, 3mm and finally 3.2mm. Obviously you need to drill both parts which is where the red dot comes into its own.
Then screw the threaded, headless shank that you prepared earlier into one of the parts to be joined. First time around I screwed it into the prong as per the photo, but second time I screwed it into the arm first - which seemed to be the easier way to to it, given you need to hold the threaded shank with pliers to turn it in, whereas it is then quite easy to screw the prong down onto the thread:
Apply a little super-glue into the holes and around the area to be joined - the breakage "scars" will show you where...
The drill in the photo for my starting hole is 1.5mm:
I then worked up via 2mm, 3mm and finally 3.2mm. Obviously you need to drill both parts which is where the red dot comes into its own.
Then screw the threaded, headless shank that you prepared earlier into one of the parts to be joined. First time around I screwed it into the prong as per the photo, but second time I screwed it into the arm first - which seemed to be the easier way to to it, given you need to hold the threaded shank with pliers to turn it in, whereas it is then quite easy to screw the prong down onto the thread:
Apply a little super-glue into the holes and around the area to be joined - the breakage "scars" will show you where...
Current: 1994 480 GT, 1996 460 CD & 1997 440 LE with lots of optional extras & 2007 V50 SE Sport
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!
Re: Broken seat-belt arms
Then treat yourself to a well-earned cup of tea while the glue dries:
Et voila! They seem to be as robust as they ever were :
And before anybody asks, that pair is off to join the Rescue Group stocks to find their way onto the cars we have in progress
David
Et voila! They seem to be as robust as they ever were :
And before anybody asks, that pair is off to join the Rescue Group stocks to find their way onto the cars we have in progress
David
Current: 1994 480 GT, 1996 460 CD & 1997 440 LE with lots of optional extras & 2007 V50 SE Sport
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!
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Re: Broken seat-belt arms
Hey dcwalker!
Good information, but I don't have such, well, I would buy!
Do you know where you can buy these?
Good information, but I don't have such, well, I would buy!
Do you know where you can buy these?
Volvo 480 Turbo!
I was born and live in Siberia!
I was born and live in Siberia!
Re: Broken seat-belt arms
I don't think that new are available, in any shape or size
another 'unobtanium' item....
3D printed parts might work?
another 'unobtanium' item....
3D printed parts might work?
Alan
480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1
480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1
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Re: Broken seat-belt arms
Hi
Have one used , complete , 3 parts / arm , tringle and rolle / , in very good condition , since there is no part number , do not konw which side it is .
Have one used , complete , 3 parts / arm , tringle and rolle / , in very good condition , since there is no part number , do not konw which side it is .
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- Started learning about 480
- Posts: 90
- Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2015 7:38 pm
- Location: Russia, Siberia, Krasnoyarsk
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Re: Broken seat-belt arms
Can you send me a photo by mail or watsap?malkontent wrote: ↑Wed Sep 15, 2021 4:54 pmHi
Have one used , complete , 3 parts / arm , tringle and rolle / , in very good condition , since there is no part number , do not konw which side it is .
Volvo 480 Turbo!
I was born and live in Siberia!
I was born and live in Siberia!
-
- Can tell where the 480 was built
- Posts: 379
- Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2010 1:20 pm
- Location: Cracow , Poland
-
- Started learning about 480
- Posts: 90
- Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2015 7:38 pm
- Location: Russia, Siberia, Krasnoyarsk
- Contact:
Re: Broken seat-belt arms
How much will you pay? I need 2 pieces, left and right.
Volvo 480 Turbo!
I was born and live in Siberia!
I was born and live in Siberia!
-
- Can tell where the 480 was built
- Posts: 379
- Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2010 1:20 pm
- Location: Cracow , Poland
Re: Broken seat-belt arms
Sorry only this one , 45 € + post charges .
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- Started learning about 480
- Posts: 90
- Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2015 7:38 pm
- Location: Russia, Siberia, Krasnoyarsk
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Re: Broken seat-belt arms
Sorry, dear to me for such a thing!
Volvo 480 Turbo!
I was born and live in Siberia!
I was born and live in Siberia!
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- Can tell where the 480 was built
- Posts: 379
- Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2010 1:20 pm
- Location: Cracow , Poland
Re: Broken seat-belt arms
no problem , is waiting