Help with Seat Belts

[RickWhite]

Hi all, I'm finally down to the last project or two in refurbishing my targa and it is replacing the old seat belt webbing in the autoflug friction belts I have in the car. I bought loads of the correct USA webbing from stretch years ago, but haven't been able to find someone who will sew the belts (never mind rivet the lap belt retainers). I've tried the online sources - snake oyl - but they won't touch friction belts.

Thus, does anyone know of a person who would sew up seatbelts the states, or if you've done it yourself, what is the required equipment (sewing machine and thread). I tried to look through the forum for past references (including Pelican) but couldn't find any tutorials.

Many thanks.

[66S]

Try a boat canvas shop.

[stephers]

I sent some Autoflug belts in ( retractable ones ) to Seatbelt Plante to have them rewebb them and they could not do it something about the way the webbing is attached to the main sprocket I have taken these complexly apart and the way Autoflug attaches is by running the webbing thru a slotted pin, that is then compressed together very very tightly to keep the belt from slipping thru Nobody can seem to redo this Would like to also find someone that can reweb using all original hardware

Thanks, Rick

[fourteenten]

I too have taken apart an Autoflug roller and assembled it again with the original webbing. It is doable but problem is to find someone that has the correct thickness webbing if you want to replace yours. Basically the 69-72 Autflugs used similar webbing as the 3 point fixed seat belt webbing which is thicker than e.g. the RePa 72 and later webbing. I am not sure if the RePa webbing will work on Autoflug rails. Newer type of Autoflugs rollers like those used for BMW's are even more complex, there is no pin that holds the webbing on the spindle, it is clamped and you need to cut it to get it f the spindle. How to re attached new webbing I haven't found out yet..
On top of that you want to sewing pattern to be similar as original and use specific strength thick thread. Canvas boat shop might be a good option; the guy that did my seat belts was mainly fabricating canvas tops for boats but his work to renew car seat belts took off and was very busy with it.

I wish I knew more people who is doing this kind of work, but seems to be a big issue t find them today.

Regards,
Cees

[RickWhite]

Thanks.

The boat canvas shop idea is a good on, though sadly I am far from the coast these days, but at least know a few sailmakers.

I hadn’t realized the autoflugs were so fidly- perhaps I’ll use the 944 retractors instead. Both are hidden…but as with everything, it just doesn’t feel right to be unoriginal.