32 replies to this topic

[NA Jimbo]

One thing which has always worried me about the VX is the crappy way in which the seats fasten to the car in view of the fact that seat belt buckle then fastens to the seat. The fact that small bolts screwed in to aluminium are all that hold you and hour passenger in to the car in a crash is a bit of a worry. Having read a few Elise forums it seems that this has been a concern for a while particularly if you track the car occasionally. Sector 111 do a kit whereby you drill the original threads out and then bolt right through the chassis but this seems way overpriced. What I'm thinking of doing over the winter is to drill through the chassis and then use longer bolts which use the original thread and then extend through to the underside of the chassis where large washers and a nut will add extra security and beef up this weak looking area I'm really after opinions on doing this from all those members who understand shear forces and fastenings etc. Would it better to drill through the original threads and just secure under the chassis or is using the original threads with the added security of spreader washers under the car the way to go. Thoughts and opinions would be much appreciated.

[siztenboots]

err, no. cabin undertray will just peel in a uncontrolled manner, the existing brackets will be designed to yield , likewise the belt stretch is all calculated to limit the load

[Cookies220]

I didn't realise it was that much of an issue We've all seen the crash damaged vx's on this forum, but I've never seen one where the seat has been ripped out by the force of a crash

[VIX]

I've never seen one where the seat has been ripped out by the force of a crash

AFAIK it's a non issue. Also, if you intend putting washers and nuts underneath the floor, you'll be surprised how easily these will foul on speed bumps.

[cnrandall]

I'm yet to see a stock seat bracket fail although I have seen aftermarket ones fail so be very wary. On the race cars we double bolt the seat rails at the back and fit plates underneath the chassis rails onto very sturdy mounts. It's not easy to fit seats on the elise for race use, with the lack of solid hard points.

[Nev]

Jimbo, I haven't heard of ANY seat mount issues ever. I think you might be trying to fix something that doesn't need fixing TBH. However, make sure that all 4 bolts are securely and evenly torqued down as this will help ensure even loading.

[p4cks]

I can only echo the above sentiments. I've only got 3 bolts in my passenger seat (we all know which bolt is missing) and I can bet my bottom dollar that there would be zero difference in an accident.

Threads like this put the shits up people, unnecessarily. RE040's are fine too while I am at it.

[NA Jimbo]

Thanks for the replies. I know these commonly aren't an issue but I'm concerned that once you've had the seats in and out a few times, with the thread being aluminium and being repeatedly torqued, I feel it's better safe than sorry. Siztenboots, could you clarify your reply - I really don't understand the point about the undertray peeling and also what brackets are you referring to?

[NA Jimbo]

@packs - it's pretty easy to "bet your bottom dollar" on someone else's seat. Personally, if something happened to my wife as a passenger because I hadn't refitted a bolt to the passenger seat, I'd find it very difficult to live with myself afterwards. Just out of interest, why is there only three bolts holding your pax seat down?

[p4cks]

Just out of interest, why is there only three bolts holding your pax seat down?

One of them is too difficult to put back in. Also, if I was involved in an accident in the VX where the seat bolts would come in to question then I'm pretty sure that I would have been going fast enough to kill the passenger irrespective of the seat bolts anyway.

[NA Jimbo]

That's some of the strangest logic I've heard, and all based on assumption of this magic speed where you're "pretty sure" your passenger is guaranteed to die. Imagine an insurer reading this. "I didn't fit that safety critical bolt because it was too difficult". Amazing!

[p4cks]

When would they question it? I'd be dead too.

[Ouchie]

Are you assuming that none of the cars that have been in an accident have had their seats out a few times. None, zero, zilch? Therefore they all stayed in place because they were torqued up at the factory and not touched since. With iffy runners, retrims, carpets and general tinkering I'm sure a few have. How are seats held in other cars? 20 bolts and welding maybe. Take a look at a 5 star ncap car. I would be more concerned about the driver seat sliding on the runner than the 4 bolts all failing.

[Steve B]

I can only echo the above sentiments. I've only got 3 bolts in my passenger seat (we all know which bolt is missing) and I can bet my bottom dollar that there would be zero difference in an accident.

Threads like this put the shits up people, unnecessarily. RE040's are fine too while I am at it.

If MOT man spots that your car fails. Get a regular bolt in place of the cap head and its easy to remove/refit.

[NA Jimbo]

Just for info here's a link to the kit I referred to in my original post - seems to be a very very popular mod from some of the american forums. http://www.sector111...ats/syspack.cfm

[slindborg]

Its a massive NON issue FFS. I'm sure Lotus put in p*ss tiny bolts that fail just for shits and giggles. If you refit a bolt into a threaded insert CORRECTLY and dont strip the threads, I cant see how there will be any problem ever with the fixing method. But by all means you waste your time and effort on this little quest. I had my daughter in the car 3 times a week for best part of 16 months without fear or worry about ANY safety aspect of the VX220

[Vespa]

I don't even understand why people struggle with the bolts anyway? Mine are all still Allen key jobbies and it's only ever taken maybe 10 mins or so. Get that pesky bolt in there mate, I'll sleep better even if you don't

[Ouchie]

Halfords ratchet flex head spanner with bit holder and 6mm hex bit make that tough passenger seat bolt a pop. Still might get cramp bending over but that's part of the fun Took out my seats to fit carpets today. Done in 15 mins including gathering tools. Look at a 5 or 6 point harness with floor fixing points. Should minimise seat travel if the worst happens.

Edited by Ouchie, 21 November 2010 - 10:30 PM.

[Eric Walter]

Fitting the sys.6.pack in my car:

[NA Jimbo]

Fitting the sys.6.pack in my car:

That looks really neat. Did you leave the original threads intact or did you drill right through and just use the new kit?

Edited by NA Jimbo, 22 November 2010 - 10:19 AM.