21 replies to this topic

[Timmehgane]

Just a simple question...

Do Halfords sell taps?

Specifically a 10mm tap?

My seatbelt hole been cross-threaded.

Thanks!

[Cooperman]

Check on their web site for an answer.

[Ryang556]

http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165572

[Cooperman]

Are the seatbelt holes threaded metric? I thought they were 3/8" UNF.

[Ryang556]

Ensuring that the seatbelt hole is properly tapped is a good idea too...

[A-Cell]

Caution. Seat belt heads are 7/16inch UNF.

[dklawson]

+1 on checking the size. I know they will be larger than 3/8 or 10mm. They will be inch and large. Take the bolt with you to the store and match its size and pitch. (But please read my additional comments below).

When buying a set of taps or buying individual, take a look at the tap's design and finish. Quality taps will have a ground finish and the teeth will clearly appear ground and sharp. You will need a quality tap.

That said, this is a seat belt anchor. If the threads in the body have been damaged you have to ask if you will trust it once re-threaded. From memory, the seat belt bolts are shoulder bolts/screws. Therefore, you may want to look at buying the next "larger" size high-strength bolt based on diameter and re-tapping the stripped anchor hole to that next larger size. You would loose the pivoting action allowed by the shoulder bolt but you would know the tapped hole is full strength. If you choose to use a larger bolt, you need to make sure that the bolt will fit the eye on the end of the belt before anything else. The eye plate on the belt is likely hardened and tempered which will make enlarging the hole impractical.

[A-Cell]

Seat belt anchors are not hardened. They are 7/16inch UNF.
Seat belt bolts work in shear, not pulling out so providing they can be tightened they will work.
it is essential that the belt can swivel so the spacer with he shoulder must be under the belt 'tongue, and the bolt tightened onto the shoulder that passes through the metal tongue so e tounge can swing.
There is insufficient metal in the anchorage to drill and tap I a larger size in my opinion. In the factory we used to weld up the holes and redrill and tap them to 7/16inch UNF so a standard fixing could be used. The pivoting action is essential to the safe operation of he belt in the event of needing it to restrain the occupant.

[Bungle]

B&Q over the road will do taps

do you need separate or mixer ones ?

[dklawson]

I was saying that what A-Cell refers to a the belt tongue may be hardened and tempered, not the anchor point in the body.

I disagree that it is essential for the belt to pivot. This is purely anecdotal evidence (and perhaps unique to the U.S.), but if pivoting was required, aftermarket seat belt kits could not be supplied with simple high-grade, through-hole bolts and hardened "fender washers". When such aftermarket kits are installed the eye plates (belt tongues) are not free to pivot. As I mentioned above I am referring to aftermarket belt kits available in the U.S. Perhaps in the U.K. they supply aftermarket belt kits with shoulder bolts or with spacer tubes for the bolts.
http://static.summit...e/SDK-SB-BL.jpg

Regardless, do what you are comfortable with and will pass your local safety codes.

[A-Cell]

You are free to disagree however the Uk and Euro homologation requires them to pivot. As regards after market Securon supply the correct fixings to ensure pivoting and the correct positioning of the belt to avoid injury to the wearer. A really common problem I see all the time on rebuilt cars is the incorrect positioning of the anchor bolts.

[dklawson]

As I said, my experience is with aftermarket belt kits in the U.S. and I make no claim to know European rules and regs. I have no argument with your point.

Edited by dklawson, 30 December 2012 - 06:08 PM.

[Timmehgane]

Thanks for the responses y'all,

I am really after an individual tap to do the job, rarely have to tap things in all honestly.

I hate Halfords website for the record, personally think its just dire.

Are you sure B&Q do taps Bungle? Their website shows nothing, letalone when you search for "tap"

I will have the harnesses allowing to swivel between the head and the thread,my dad believes this is how it needs to be so either way, personally I didnt think it was.

Cheers!

[A-Cell]

Good luck, hope thread cleans up ok. Lub the tap first, light oil. Refit bolt with a very small smear of copper slip grease on the first 3 or 4 threads, merest amount. Order of fitment for upper and sill anchorages that need to swivel so they present the belt at the correct angle for the wearer is shouldered spacer, shoulder against car body, wavy washer, seat belt, then bolt. The wavy washer stops the rattle, if they are missing don't worry. Torque setting 40 ft lbs.
Obviously retractor reels do not swivel and need to be upright.
Some bodies due to tolerance have an additional plain spacer in the hole first before the shoulder washer to allow for tolerances and to ensure belt anchorage is free to swing.

[charie t]

Are you sure B&Q do taps Bungle? Their website shows nothing

I got 73 pages of results
http://m.diy.com/mt/search.diy.com/search?w=tap&search_submit.x=0&search_submit.y=0&search_submit=go&un_form_encoding=windows-1252

Edited by charie t, 31 December 2012 - 01:27 AM.