Seat belt fixings, Xantia VSX

[Napoleon]

Ok, coming up with many niggling issues, but this one is perhaps the most serious, certainly from a safety point of view.

The o/s passenger seat belt anchor point... it's not bolted down.

The previous owner did tell me why this was undone, but I can't remember the reason, and it's not relevant, what is relevant is that I cannot seem to get the darn bolt back in again.

Is it quite rusty, so I have smeared some grease on it, but not much joy. It goes in so far, then, eek! nothing more and it's loose.

I think this is because there is a washer missing, and of course I don't have the correct sized one.

From what I can tell, the order of assembly of this point is, from the car floor pan up, the actual anchor where you put the chrome piece, followed by the other end of the seat belt, then a wash of some kind and then the bolt. Does this ring true?

Does it sound like if I added the correct washer that the bolt would close down nicely upon the parts I have described?

Right now, I can't put more than one child in the back (the centre belt no use as we have child seats).

[addo]

From memory, a thick flatwasher, then the seat belt metal end, then the wave washer, then the bolt. The belt end should be free to swivel.

[Napoleon]

What makes the red bit (see how technical this is?!) swivel? There's no spacer as such, is there? Just a base washer, then the two triangular belt end (the red bit and the chrome bit) then the wave washer and then the belt?

Incidentally, I did see what I suppose was a 'wave' washer on the other anchorage, but I'm not sure how it got 'wavy'. Is it a locking device to prevent the bolt turning? If so, is it bent after the bolt has been put in?

[CitroJim]

I'm having trouble completely recalling on an estate now (too much Red Bull last night) but I believe that in addition to the spacer and wavy washer the bolt is shouldered so that the shoulder abuts against the spacer and this allows the triangular plate to freely rotate...

[addo]

That sounds about right.

[DickieG]

The buckle end does not swivel, the only movement on the buckle end is from the webbing, the bottom mount on the main seatbelt rotates normally due to either a collar/spacer on the bolt.

[Napoleon]

'Main seat belt' meaning which, Richard? The front?

Also, is it vital to use a 'wavy' washer? Source?

[DickieG]

'Main seat belt' meaning which, Richard? The front?

Also, is it vital to use a 'wavy' washer? Source?

The belt for the O/S/R passenger, I take it that's the one you're referring to?

I think the wavy washer is simply there to reduce any rattling from the metal bracket.

[Napoleon]

Yes, I refer to the o/r/passenger.

I've re-read your post about this, and am wondering what the spacer must look like, and where I can get one. I'll go and peer under the seat in the SX and compare and contrast and get back.

[DickieG]

I've re-read your post about this, and am wondering what the spacer must look like, and where I can get one.

In effect it's a short tube, brass in colour, if you get stuck I might have one in stock.

[Napoleon]

Thanks Richard. I forgot to look at the SX, so I'll pop out there now and see what's there.

[Napoleon]

Ok, it's never as simple as we want, is it?

The SX, of course, is different... the belt tensioner is under the seat, not coming out of the top of the back of the seat as on the estate. So the assembly in the pan is different, and nothing swivels.

So, looks like I have to go on what you say, and fit this brass piece, Richard.

We're planning on coming up to Burghley this weekend, so maybe we can meet there and talk sealt belt anchors? We'll be in the SX, however, as I can't just bring one child (due to safety considerations, because of the seat belt!)

[DickieG]

The SX, of course, is different... the belt tensioner is under the seat, not coming out of the top of the back of the seat as on the estate. So the assembly in the pan is different, and nothing swivels.

I'm confused, on an estate the belt that comes out of the top of the seat is the centre belt, is this the one you're talking about?

[Napoleon]

Yes, that's correct, Richard.

I was trying to say that my attempt at a comparison between models was weak, in that the SX (hatch) the seat belt arrangement is clearly different to that in the estate.

I was hoping that the SX would give me some clues and back up your own description of the belt fixing in the VSX.

I wish I had all the parts, washers 'n' all, from when the belt was taken apart, as I am having to guess what this should look like.

Sorry, Richard.

[DickieG]

So do I take it that the belt you have the problem is the centre one and it's the long belt that's not secure, but the buckle (where the belt clips into) is OK?