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View Full Version : Please look at my install(s) (pic heavy)

sunnymw
06-21-2008, 09:10 PM
UPDATE MORE PICS 6/27 post 11

Okay, this is the second time I've done this entire install... Graco CS in the center, BV drivers side. This is in a 1996 Buick Regal with locking latchplate lap belt in the middle and ALR (I think, the one that locks when you pull it out all the way) L/S belt on the outsides.

*NOTE* the Britax is moving around so much lately from car to car to car that I did NOT install (or secure) the RF tether in either vehicle. It's moving again in the morning, lol. I do either install or secure when we actually GO somewhere.

I of course did the Satan Seat first. I had to sit in the seat entirely (again, being 9 months pregnant of course) in order to buckle and tighten enough for it not to move. It does NOT move on the belt path. The shell of the seat is barely touching the front drivers' side seat (by barely I mean I can stick my pinky in there and it basically only compresses the plush fabric on the seat). My main concern is that I'm not using a towel or pool noodle--do I need one right there? I had it installed there previously and there is a dent on the leather seat back where the base of the seat lies. Well, digs in, I should say. ALSO, it looks like it just barely goes off the end of the seat... is that NOT ok? Is the seat just plain not long enough for this seat??

GCS pic:
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm16/sunnywallace/Car%20seats/seatcheck1031.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm16/sunnywallace/Car%20seats/seatcheck1033.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm16/sunnywallace/Car%20seats/seatcheck1034.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm16/sunnywallace/Car%20seats/seatcheck1035.jpg



Anyway, the Britax is rock solid... I've installed it right there a million times w/o the CS next to it, and it basically sits in all its same grooves ;) It just barely touches the CS when they are both in, in 2 spots, but I can again stick my pinky in there and it seems to be mainly the padding smashing in with the shells just barely touching.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm16/sunnywallace/Car%20seats/seatcheck1036.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm16/sunnywallace/Car%20seats/seatcheck1039.jpg

Here is a pic of where the seats come together
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm16/sunnywallace/Car%20seats/seatcheck1040.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm16/sunnywallace/Car%20seats/seatcheck1041.jpg


I also had it installed in GMIL's 07 Honda Civic with Latch... just wondering if that one looked OK too. I'd like to think that LATCH is idiot proof, but I've been proven wrong before :rolleyes: not to mention I have pregnancy brain and may have missed something.
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm16/sunnywallace/Car%20seats/seatcheck1026.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm16/sunnywallace/Car%20seats/seatcheck1027.jpg




**Question about the RF tether--should it pull the seat down more? Or, if it does, am I making it too tight?? If I tighten it securely, the seat back moves down about a whole inch or so...**



If my pictures are too big for this board please let me know and I will shrink them one more size :) I just wanted to make sure they'd be big enough for you to see the necessary details.

Thanks so much for looking for me! I do plan on getting them checked locally, although after reading so many stories about bad CPST's I'd LOVE to just have someone from this board do it, LOL!! (Anyone in SW GA on here???)
BW1426
06-21-2008, 09:24 PM
In the pictures, the comfort sport does not look reclined enough for a newborn.
sunnymw
06-21-2008, 09:28 PM
In the pictures, the comfort sport does not look reclined enough for a newborn.

That's one thing I WAS wondering about... tomorrow I'm going to part on a flat surface (driveway has a slight incline) and take a far-off pic & do the paper test. :thumbsup: My frame of reference is totally off when standing IN my driveway IYKWIM.
Patriot201
06-21-2008, 11:04 PM
What does the manual say about the "foot" on the CS being on the seat back like that? The rest of the seat looks like it is properly on the vehicle seat, but that "foot" looks funny to me. Perhaps that is the way the CS installs, though. I just don't know.
BW1426
06-21-2008, 11:07 PM
I'd say you need a pool noodle.
azgirl71
06-21-2008, 11:51 PM
I would not put the foot of the base propped on the vehicle seat back as you have it. 80% of the base must touch the vehicle seat. This means you can have more overhang and use a noodle pyramid as long as at least 80% of the base touches the seat.

It is easiest to tape 3 noodle sections together and put them in the seat bight. Then place the foot on the noodles.

It is also possible that you may not be able to intall in the center well because of the hump in the seatback in that position. You may get a better install outboard. The safest place in this situation will be where you get the safest install.
Mom to a few
06-22-2008, 12:47 AM
I agree about the pool noodle and needing a little more recline for a newborn--when I checked it based on the first picture, I was getting closer to 40 degrees. It's strange that the level indicator wouldn't put it at a 45 degree angle--especially since you have the ball in the level indicator on the more reclined end :confused:

And I know you said you move the Britax a lot, and that you just put it in for the picture, but just make sure that you store the LATCH connectors when using the seatbelt for installation :).

You also asked about the top tether, but it doesn't look like it's connected in any of the pictures--Is it? Mainly, you want to tighten it until there's no slack, but you don't need to tighten it so far that it changes the angle of the seat, if the angle was fine to begin with.

Good luck with your new baby! It seems like everybody is pregnant right now--except ME. Luckily, as hot as it is now, I don't feel too jealous;)
joolsplus3
06-22-2008, 10:31 AM
On a related passenger safety note... check out the Civic's manual and see if there are side airbags that pop out of the sides of the doors. If so, they definitely should NOT be covered up by seat covers like that. Sweetalk GMIL with something like "You are more valuable than your upholstery :love:"

:)
sunnymw
06-22-2008, 10:39 AM
OK, I will def. get a pool noodle to put there. The seat doesn't have a whole lot of hump, and I actually got a better install in the middle than anywhere else in the car--on either side, with it as tight as I can pull it, I get a tilted car seat AND still 2-3" of movement on the belt path. I swear, it's almost like someone lubed up these leather seats, LOL.

No, the top tether wasn't connected in any of the pics. Once things calm down and we actually start riding in just OUR car again (versus switching out EVERY DAY) I'll use it again... I did roll it up today and stuff it back in its pouch (before I just had it clipped to the metal bar on the back of the seat... not sure if that's even allowed).

I was on a bit of an incline, but even on a flat surface, if I recline it even just a hair more it puts the ball in the red. But I do need to do the paper test and take a far off pic. The Britax is out today so I'll be able to do that (from that door--the other door is broken and does not stay open, lol). I won't be able to get a pool noodle for a few days though (so, you know, stay in there little baby!!)


Thanks, and I'll be back later today w/ the verdict on the angle... although I should probably wait until I get the noodle to redo it. :)
sunnymw
06-22-2008, 10:42 AM
On a related passenger safety note... check out the Civic's manual and see if there are side airbags that pop out of the sides of the doors. If so, they definitely should NOT be covered up by seat covers like that. Sweetalk GMIL with something like "You are more valuable than your upholstery :love:"

:)

:thumbsup: That's come into my mind more than once... she is the most stubborn woman (in a good way) known to man... she won't take them out. So, I'm just waiting until they get dirty enough... then I KNOW she'll take them out. Not that I'm helping that along or anything while we borrow it... :whistle:
sunnymw
06-27-2008, 04:36 PM
Okay, I noodled...

I realized with the angle of my driveway, sitting on a flat surface would actually recline the seat *more* and make the ball go even *farther* into the red... WTH is up with that??? So I took some further-off pictures with my door frame (parallel to ground ofc)... how is this angle?? Like this, the seat moved a hair more than before, but still less than 1". It puzzled just a hair better with the Britax :) OFC, I had to move the drivers' seat up. Can't wait to hear it from DH tonight, LOL

1 BEFORE picture:
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm16/sunnywallace/Car%20seats/seatcheck2040.jpg
AFTER pictures:
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm16/sunnywallace/Car%20seats/seatcheck2042.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm16/sunnywallace/Car%20seats/seatcheck2044.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm16/sunnywallace/Car%20seats/seatcheck2046.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm16/sunnywallace/Car%20seats/seatcheck2048.jpg



And why must I always do this mid-day? What's WRONG with me???? It's HOT!



Thanks :D