Seatbelt mounting points

[mnahon]

I know there have been quite a few other threads about seatbelts; in particular replacement ones. I've read them but can't find the answer to my question: where are the original seatbelt mounting points for a late-model (Euro) 280SL.

Below are pictures of how my seatbelt is presently configured. It's aftermarket and has a retractor that is attached to the base of the rear parcel shelf. From there, the seatbelt strap runs up and to the guide near the chrome cap near the softtop hinge. Then, the seatbelt strap runs back down to the base of the retractor and attaches to the same bolt that attaches the retractor. By grabbing the seatbelt buckle, I can swing it over my shoulder and clip it into the receiver which is attached to the transmission tunnel.

So all told, the seatbelt assembly has just two mounting points: one at the transmission tunnel, and one at the base of the parcel shelf. Are there supposed to be any other mounting points? In particular, is the second end of the seatbelt strap supposed to attach to a different point? On other threads, I had the impression there might be another point on the doorsill (beside the back of the seat). I looked under the carpet, and could find no holes there.

The reason I'm asking this question is that having the second end of the strap attach to the same bolt as the retractor constrains the kind of retractor I can use---it needs to have sufficient space to accommodate the strap. Other retractors I've tried don't have sufficient space. So this essentially means I'm stuck with my present system.

I'm not real keen on trying to drill new holes or welding brackets in, as it's more trouble than it's worth.

Thanks

[Garry]

The two mounting points you have described are correct and original.

Some have got around the problem of only the two points limiting the rear travel of the seat by the belt retractor by adding a third under the rear wooden shelf with additional strengthening around the bolt point. There are several posts on how to do this including the special routing of the belt so it does not bind or wear on the shelf edge. http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=4912.msg31465#msg31465

 There is some discussion at the end of the Tech Manual write up on Seat belts.  Here is the MB PDF on the subject.  Slightly different approach. http://www.sl113.org/wiki/uploads/Interior/SeatBeltInstallation.pdf

No one answer but if you don't use the original mount then there is some metal work needed to make it safe.

Garry

[WRe]

Hi,
see here in the German Pagoda forum: www.pagodentreff.de/artikel/automatikgurtenachruesten.html
...WRe

[mnahon]

Thanks Garry and WRe for your replies. Reading these threads clarified a few things for me, with respect to the motivation for these modifications people are doing. In my own case, I'm not tall, so the retractor is not a problem in its present position.

Also, reading these threads allowed me to think more out of the box and I figured out a way to attach a 'new' retractor  (it's a unit out a 107) in the same location. So I'm nearly there. My problem now is, with the 'new' retractor in its present location, there's not quite enough belt---it's at the limit of travel. So my choices are to move the retractor further up (i.e. weld a new mounting point), or buy a different unit with a longer belt. I'll probably do the latter since it's simpler.

Thanks again...