pastrygirl
05-19-2008, 12:04 PM
I have a 2001 Subaru Forester, no LATCH, and a RF MA. For over a year, I had the MA installed outboard because I thought a center install would push the front seats too far forward. When I signed up a few months ago for a CPST course, I decided to try a center install. I was mostly happy with the install, except for the tipping factor from the shoulder portion of the seat belt.
I took the course a couple of weeks ago and have been thinking and rethinking my install a billion times. I don't like it, and here's why. I had to twist both buckle stalks (my seat belt comes from the ceiling and so buckles in two spots). I reached into hold in the seat bight and found that they were each twisted way more than 3 times. So, I untwisted and started again. I can't get the first buckle (the one that stays buckled) low enough to use that side's lockoff. I wanted to use the other side's lockoff (near the "real" buckle) but I had to spin it 180 so that it would stay closed (Britax approved this for me). This seemed to be a great install and doesn't even touch the front seats when they are all the way back, so there's plenty of room in the front.
I thought I had the seat installed pretty tight, but this weekend I pushed/pulled much harder than usual and it moved more than an inch and the lockoff popped open. If I don't use the lockoffs and just lock the belt, then I get major tilt. I get a solid install outboard without the lockoffs and there's no tilt. I think I should keep it outboard, but wanted to find out what you all thought. Should I keep it in the center even with the tilt? Is the tilt a problem for anything other than comfort? Without the lockoffs, the seat is solid in the center or outboard, so my only issue is tilt.
Thanks!
I took the course a couple of weeks ago and have been thinking and rethinking my install a billion times. I don't like it, and here's why. I had to twist both buckle stalks (my seat belt comes from the ceiling and so buckles in two spots). I reached into hold in the seat bight and found that they were each twisted way more than 3 times. So, I untwisted and started again. I can't get the first buckle (the one that stays buckled) low enough to use that side's lockoff. I wanted to use the other side's lockoff (near the "real" buckle) but I had to spin it 180 so that it would stay closed (Britax approved this for me). This seemed to be a great install and doesn't even touch the front seats when they are all the way back, so there's plenty of room in the front.
I thought I had the seat installed pretty tight, but this weekend I pushed/pulled much harder than usual and it moved more than an inch and the lockoff popped open. If I don't use the lockoffs and just lock the belt, then I get major tilt. I get a solid install outboard without the lockoffs and there's no tilt. I think I should keep it outboard, but wanted to find out what you all thought. Should I keep it in the center even with the tilt? Is the tilt a problem for anything other than comfort? Without the lockoffs, the seat is solid in the center or outboard, so my only issue is tilt.
Thanks!