Retractable seat belt question

[BrentF]

The Porsche parts manual shows two different set ups for retractable seat belts. Both of these diagrams are for ‘70-73 coupe models:


I have two questions:

1. Part #37 in diagram 1 differs in shape from the corresponding part in the second diagram. Why does this difference exist?

2. Both of these parts are described as supports that the retractable belt assembly attaches to. Why is this support even necessary? Seems like a redundancy. Can a retractable belt be installed without the support?

[dirk07]

#37 is for earlier autoflug reels
#18 for later Repa reels starting 1/72 in US and 7/72 in ROW

You need the supports to mount 40/39 or 17/19 in coupes.

[BrentF]

Thanks Dirk, Good to know!
What purpose(s) does the support plate serve?
Given the retractable reel mounts with one bolt, I can't understand why the support plate is required?

[Jim Breazeale]

The support plate actually supports the cover #39 on the top and # 17 on the bottom

[BrentF]

Thanks for the comments.

In the lower diagram for Repa reels, bolt 14 secures both the belt retractor and the support, into the captive nut in the body, holding both in place.

Cover #39 is secured in place by way of screw 21 on the rear bottom edge and by way of a door jamb moulding (not pictured) that overlaps the vertical edge of the cover nearest the door opening.

So am I to understand that the tabs on the support serve to prevent the cover #39 from caving in and give it rigidity?

Is that the support's only function?

[fourteenten]

The cover is rigid enough but it needs support because the cover is otherwise only hold in place with screw 21 and can flap around with spirited driving. Brackets are not an easy find, I do have a template if you need to make them. They have to bold holes on the bottom, use the one closest to the door edge to mount the reel. This for the 72/73 version, earlier rounded version only have one hole.

Cees

[BrentF]

In the lower diagram for REPA belts, do the two screws #20 that hold part #19 in place also thread into the support? That would certainly aid in making the cover more secure and might explain the real purpose of the support.

Cees: Thanks for your kind offer. Is your template a drawing?

[fourteenten]

Yes they do. I made a tempate out of thin alu but should have a drawing somewhere as well. I will try to copy and add to the thread.

Cees

[BrentF]

That would be great. Thanks Cees.

[fourteenten]

Here you go.

Cees