radian install in 94 oldsmobile eighty-eight

[Unregistered]

Okay, we have two radian 80's that we had installed in my hubby's honda civic. I am not fond of this vehicle because it is so small and had warnings out about the back seat during side impact crashes. something about pelvic fractures. Scary stuff when you have two kids in the back seat.

We have got a 94 oldsmobile eighty-eight from a family member for free. This car is big and made like a tank which I like but have been unable to get a good install on these seats. One rear facing and one forward facing. The seat belts are the type that lock on the bottom part not the shoulder part. The male end of the seatbelt is fixed(doesn't slide along the belt) and the seat belts retract back into a long plastic cover which makes install impossible because the belt starts to twist and the covers are several inches long. Can we take these off? There is also one on the female end of the seatbelt clasp, which makes it impossible to twist to make it tighter. When we try to install the female clip is so long that it goes through the belt path.

HELP!!! I have a call in to russ at sunshine kids but don't know if he will be able to help. We don't have the option to get another car right now and our other car is my hubby's business vehicle. All of our inspection centers are police depts. Are they as knowledgeable as other Car seat technicians?

[Defrost]

Is there any way you could take pictures? That would really help us in offering suggestions. I'm having trouble picturing the seat belts. It sounds like they may be incompatible with carseats entirely - not just the Radians!

I'm not sure I would assume the older vehicle is safer, however. Newer cars may not be "built like tanks," but they are designed to absorb crash forces, so that less of that force is transferred to the people inside. We tend to think that if less damage is done to the vehicle, that means less damage is done to the occupants, but that's not the whole picture.

[Unregistered]

I put pictures on a web album. I didn't know how to put them on here.

http://picasaweb.google.com/TCarfagno/1994Olds88CarSeatBelts?authkey=jYUkMIexqqA

I tried to take the best pics possible. Let me know what you think. Thanks for you help!

Teresa

[crunchierthanthou]

Does the lap portion lock? If not, that changes things quite a bit.

I'm not sure about taking the guides off. It looks like you can and they are just for convenience, but it may make it more difficult to retract the seatbelt. Also, removing them doesn't necessarily mean the seatbelt won't bunch like that- but bunching isn't a big problem, as long as you can get the seatbelt tight.

I'm also not sure about twisting that joint buckle stalk. I think it would be okay as long as you aren't using both seatbelts. You can twist the buckle stalk up to three full twists of 360 degrees each.

[Unregistered]

the lap portion DOES lock. Thankfully. Would it better to install my RF on the outboard due to the moveable/hidden arm rest?

[Defrost]

Oh, those pics are great, thanks!

I agree with everything crunchier said. Sorry, I know that's probably not much help!

I did want to add that it's okay to pull the female buckle into the belt path. For RF, this shouldn't be any problem because the belt path is closed; for the FF seat, however, it will put the buckle right behind your child's back, which could be uncomfortable, and I'm not sure Sunshine Kids would approve (aka - if it's considered a safety risk). You'll have to ask Russ!

Oh, and I'm pretty sure it's okay to install a RF Radian in front of the "hidden" armrest - unless the manual specifically says not to, which I don't remember ever reading in the Radian manual. I haven't read your vehicle manual, of course.

[Unregistered]

Well, twisting the buckle is acceptable up to 6 full twists.

Is it this true? I have always heard three twists is the rule. Thanks for your help!

Teresa

[UlrikeDG]

You are correct, Teresa. Three full twists is the maximum.

"These data indicate that up to three full twists in belt webbing will not reduce its strength enough to risk failure when restraining a child. (http://carseat.org/Technical/tech_update.htm#twistedvehbelt)"