Harnesses - Best Before Date..?

[RSGulp]

My 5pt Sabelt harnesses have a label attached saying "NOT VALID AFTER 2009". Is this just for FIA Regs or should I be planning to replace the harnesses towards the end of next year?

 

[ChrisW]

I had a best before date of 1995 ...

To be serious, seat belts in cars do not have a best before date, and we are not FIA racing .... are we ?

 

[Hacki]

Don´t worry, they´ll be good for years and years. Like the seats, same situation.

Rgds

Hacki

 

[Melv]

Going racing then Rich?

Nah, I thought not......[] Don't worry....

 

[timarnold]

In all likelihood they will probably be 'safe', but it's the day you're stood in the dock at an inquest with a lawyer asking you why your seat belts were out of date that you might regret replacing them. You can get two Sabelt six-point 'saloon' harnesses sold as a pair from 'Tweeks for just over £300 - not much more than a track day fee; is it worth the risk? []

 

[carreraboy]

From the amount of haed track use they get would think they should be good for another 100 years![]

 

[RSGulp]

I was wondering whether the previous owner's off-road excursions might have weakened the webbing? [][]

 

[timarnold]

It would depend on the magnitude and direction of any forces involved. It would probably require severe reduction in speed while travelling forward to have any significant effect on the belts. They definitely should be changed if they have been involved in a heavy impact.

 

[964rsdatabase]

Don't think gravel classes as 'heavy impact'. []

 

[RSGulp]

ORIGINAL: timarnold

It would depend on the magnitude and direction of any forces involved. It would probably require severe reduction in speed while travelling forward to have any significant effect on the belts. They definitely should be changed if they have been involved in a heavy impact.

Tim, the previous owner of my car was Des (Carrerboy). A real legend in his own laptime and famous for his penchant for gravel. It's rumoured he was once chased for a sponsorship deal by CatSan.

So, it would need a severe reduction in speed while travelling forward having a significant effect on belts? From what the 964RS guys tell me I think I'm safe with Des's old car. [][]

 

[timarnold]

ORIGINAL: RSGulp
So, it would need a severe reduction in speed while travelling forward having a significant effect on belts? From what the 964RS guys tell me I think I'm safe with Des's old car. [][]

Yeah []

I don't think a gravel trap would cause sufficient stopping force; I was thinking more tyre wall, barriers, another car. Obviously belts are designed to stretch to absorb some of the impact and they will do in a severe stop. Once they have been stretched they are worse than useless and should be scrapped.

The problem I have is, in my position while I imagine these things will still be 'safe' long after their expiry date, I can't advise anything other than making sure your safety equipment is up to date; same goes for helmets and even seats.

[]

 

[carreraboy]

Rich they were great for a bit of restraining, think the crutch strap seen some big action ....[] Also a bit of gaffer tape helps .....[]