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Seat belt language explained

Which bolts does my car have, 7/16″UNF or 1/2″UNC ?

There are 2 different sizes of seat belt bolts, 7/16″UNF and 1/2″UNC. The measurement is taken across the thread of the bolt itself and doesn’t refer to the length of the bolt (unit converter link).

The standard size for the vast majority of seat belts is 7/16″UNF but there are some vehicles such as the Holden LC Torana and alot of American Imported cars that have 1/2″UNC bolts.

The type of bolt your vehicle has can be identified by looking at the thread of the bolt itself.

Standard UNF Bolts

Fine thread – 7/16″UNF   

Standard UNC Bolt

Coarse thread – 1/2″UNC

What buckle do I have and how do I measure the length of my buckle?

Not all buckles are created equal and they come in all different styles and sizes. They are also able to be mounted in several different places beside or on the seat so it can become quite confusing when it comes time to replace or pick your buckle style and length.

It is important to get the correct length and style buckle to replace your existing buckle if replacing it or putting in a new one. Regulations state that an aftermarket buckle can be ±40mm of the original length of the buckle that came with your vehicle. Your vehicle in the same model and year can be different to another also built in the same year so it is important to take note of the configuration of your vehicle and not one that is the same or similar

Getting the length and mounting point wrong could mean the difference between the buckle and seat belt assembly saving your life in an accident or breaking a hip or at worst the buckle breaking free of it’s inadequate mounting point and rendering your seat belt useless.

Buckles come in several different types and can have several different mounting styles/points.

Seat mounted – Usually a shorter style buckle mounted with a rigid piece of flat or bent steel bolted to the seat or seat frame

Tunnel mounted – Usually a cable stalk buckle attached to the transmittion tunnel or centre console or a 90º L Bracket

Floor mounted – Usually a cable stalk buckle with either a 45º or 90º bend at the bolt end of the buckle

Under Seat mounted – Usually a webbing buckle either at a fixed length or adjustable to any length and clamped down to a fix length

The length of a buckle is measured from the centre of the bolt hole right up to the tip of the plastic part of the buckle. 

Still not sure which buckle type you have? Check out our different types of buckles and lengths to determine which buckle best matches up with yours.

Don’t forget when ordering kits to check that YOUR buckle matches in length and style with the one our site recommended for your vehicle.

If it doesn’t then Contact Us and we will give you the correct part number for your vehicles configuration

Static Lap belt

What do they mean by a Lap Belt ?

A Lap belt is a seat belt that normally has two ends (two anchor points) and is worn over the lap only.

Lap sash sketch

What do they mean by a Lap/Sash Belt ?

A Lap/sash belt is a seat belt that normally has three ends (three anchor points) and is normally worn over the lap and the shoulder/chest.

Standard lap sash static belt

What is a Static seat belt ?

A static seat belt is a belt that has to be adjust to length manually and does not roll up by itself. It lays loose in the cabin when not in use

Retractable seat belt

What is a Retractable seat belt?

The purpose of locking retractors is to provide the seated occupant the convenience of some free movement of the upper torso within the compartment, while providing a method of limiting this movement in the event of a crash. This seat belt winds itself onto a spool.

Pretensioner seat belt

What is a Pretensioner seat belt?

A Seat belt that automatically retracts the seat belt back onto the reel when a crash is detected through the air bag system. This is a once only use belt. It, like any other seatbelt, cannot be repaired. These can also be known as Clamping belts. (Note this is purely a schematic representation and does not look like a working belt)