Frayed adjuster strap on MA

[K's Mama]

The harness adjuster strap on DD's MA is frayed quite badly - the seat is 2 years old, so no longer under warrenty - and it is an older 48lb seat. I'd really like to replace it (and kicking myself for not having requested a new one last year while it was still under warrenty).

So - two problems...
One - Just looked on the BritaxUSA site and they have the straps - but they stipulate that they are for the 65lb seat - I know they're the same seat - so should I be okay ordering that one?

Two - The strap is $15 - fine. They want $15.69 for shipping (via UPS - no sure why they can't ship it USPS cause it would be a heck of a lot cheaper). AND they want a $22 brokerage fee (which if they shipped it USPS would be nil since it's under $20). Grrrrr. I really need the strap but $54.54 for a little strap???? Please tell me that I can get this cheaper somehow!!!!!!!!!!

Thinking out loud here - I do have a local store that carries Britax - are they allowed to order in parts? That would probabl save some $$$.

[QuassEE]

This is one of the frustrating things about Britax being in the Canadian market. I can forward the strap to you, but I'd prefer to lump in a few others' orders too. Not too many, mind you :) With the value of the strap, via USPS, there will not be any Customs collected (and no brokerage with USPS)..

-Nicole.

[K's Mama]

This is one of the frustrating things about Britax being in the Canadian market. I can forward the strap to you, but I'd prefer to lump in a few others' orders too. Not too many, mind you :) With the value of the strap, via USPS, there will not be any Customs collected (and no brokerage with USPS)..

-Nicole.

I may take you up on that - thanks for the offer! I just called the local baby boutique that sells Britax to see if they'll be able to order on for me. They're closed until Tuesday, so I'll have to check back with them then.

[Allport]

I received another complaint like that (I guess I'm really out now eh?). Through our proceedures at the office, I contacted the company and arraanged for a fix, free of charge. If you want me to give it another try for you, let me know and I'll get hold of my contact.

[mama2three]

I'm ordering a new harness and I'm on a border city so I have access to a US shipping address. I could add what you need to my order.

[Judi]

My adjuster frayed too. It is about two years old. I called and they replaced it, no problem.

[snowbird25ca]

I'd try calling Britax anyways and see what they do - often times issues like this they'll send a replacement free. I had my MA adjuster strap starting to fray - still completely safe for me to be using, but it was obvious enough that I knew it wouldn't make it through the 6yr lifespan of the seat so I called Britax before my warranty ended... I still think they should do something for you if you call and ask despite the warranty being over.

And if they don't want to do anything, then calling TC I'm sure would get results.

(I've noticed newer seats are coming with an adjuster strap that feels slightly different in texture from my old one, so I wonder if they've changed what they're using? This complaint crops up on the boards every couple of months and I've seen some pictures of pretty bad adjuster straps... makes me think they need to do something about it - although who knows if it's the straps, or if the adjuster mechanism itself it leading to the increased abrasion and wear...)

[momto2boysinOnt]

I called Britax about mine on Friday morning. The DOM on my MA is 08/04, so it's well beyond the warranty period. THe CSR told me that a fraying harness adjuster is not a problem, as long as it isn't fraying so much that it is ripped. I said that I am nervous using it as it is, but the CSR assured me it would be fine. If it wasn't so expensive to order a new one, I probably would, but at the moment, I'm using the seat as a spare seat only and hoping that it will last at least until DS1 outgrows the Radian, and I move DS2 (who is currently in the MA) into the RA.

[QuassEE]

I'd be mad. Ask them to put it in writing--that Britax accepts the responsibility if the restraint fails as a result of the fraying, and recommends to you to continue using the seat with the fraying adjuster strap. It works great with the insurance companies. They can FAX it to me on your behalf, if you don't have a FAX machine--PM me for the number.

As an alternative--I just realized that I still have an adjuster strap recall kit here.. It's the strap and splitter plate portion. I can send it to you, since it's the same as the current replacements. Britax was nice enough to give me a few extra kits during the recall so I could give them to parents at checks. Some of the other techs may have these leftover, as well. I'll check, since it looks like we need two.

-Nicole.

[Judi]

I just got one, a replacement for one I gave out at a clinic a couple months back.

[QuassEE]

I don't want to use a strap that would be replacing a recalled strap out in the field, ideally--I think I have a line on another strap from a tech that isn't super likely to need the strap. I can't believe it has already been 4 years since the strap recall! It seems like just yesterday.

-N.

[Judi]

Really, that long? Wow. We replaced one like two months ago. For a pediatrician that was FFing a 1 yr old. Ack!

[QuassEE]

Aiiigh! So thanks for the offer, Judi, but you can keep yours for it's intended purpose :) I have two to replace the fraying ones, on Britax whether they know it or not. I even double-checked the IMMI part numbers with my own seats to re-confirm the part number is the same post 07/04. OP and above poster, if you PM me your addresses then I'll forward the replacements and replacement instructions out. I'm happy that they'll be getting used.

As for Britax...:thumbsdown: (I never use icons, I MUST be disappointed..) At worst, they should've recommended you replace it at your own cost. I'm not much for gambling when it's kids' lives.

-Nicole.

[momto2boysinOnt]

As for Britax...:thumbsdown: (I never use icons, I MUST be disappointed..) At worst, they should've recommended you replace it at your own cost. I'm not much for gambling when it's kids' lives.

Thanks so much! I appreciate the efforts you've gone to for us! What a great board to be a part of. :):love:

The CSR at Britax that I spoke to told me that I could replace the strap at my cost if I wanted to, but most of the time, the fraying means nothing. She also told me that it is important to pull the strap straight down (for FF - straight up for RF) rather than side to side to avoid the fraying getting any worse. So, it sounds like they are aware of what's causing the problem. Frankly, I was surprised, but Britax customer service is usually so good (I had replacement foam for one of our MAs within 3 days of my calling to inquire about it) that I trusted them. It did cross my mind that I might have gotten a poor CSR when I called, and I was going to try calling back in a few weeks if it got any worse. I just noticed the fraying for the first time on Thursday night when I took the seat apart to wash the cover.

[QuassEE]

Britax has been aware of the issue for 6 years. When the Marathon first came out--everyone was repeatedly tightening their Marathons, expecting them to get tight and pull in the same fashion as the Roundabout. It only took a few months before peoples' adjuster straps started to fray.

In addition to directionality, there are a few other things you can do:
1) Tighten the harness before buckling. You get good at eyeballing it.
2) Pull the straps from behind (RF only) while tightening.
3) Don't loosen your harness unless you absolutely have to, and dress your child in similar layers each time they're in the car.

I never tighten after buckling my kids anymore, not with the Marathon anyways.

-Nicole.

[K's Mama]

Thanks for all of the replies everyone. I actually placed a call with Britax this morning. I told them that the strap was frayed quite badly and that I needed a replacement. They asked for the serial and batch #'s on the seat, the DOM and the strap colour. Asked for my mailing address and said it should be here by the end of the week. NO questions asked!

[pastrygirl]

What causes the fraying? I've noticed that mine is looking a little frayed, halfway between the center and the edge -- a long, fuzzy-looking line. I loosen and tighten the harness every single time. Is there something that it catches on, or is it just not meant to be durable enough for years' worth of tightening/loosening?

[QuassEE]

pastrygirl,

The fraying is generally caused by pulling the strap to one side or the other while tightening, then pulling repeatedly trying to get the last little bit of slack out of the harness. It's difficult not to pull the strap to the side, especially when your child is rear-facing, since you're *standing* to the side.

If you're seeing an actual pull in the centre area of the adjuster strap, I would replace it. Webbing is a strong material, and isn't easily damaged by normal use (chemicals and heat can/will damage it, easily), but the way that some Britax seats adjust sometimes we see fraying and pulls. Any smooth adjusters (the Roundabout, for example) tend not to have fraying problems.

My advice to parents in order to avoid fraying is to adjust the seat before buckling, not to loosen the seat each time your child gets out (you should only have to loose the seat each time with really small infants--most of whom will be too small for the larger Britax seats anyways,) and/or pull slack from behind when tightening while rear-facing. As mentioned previously, as well, Britax advises pulling the strap downwards or straight out when removing slack from the harness; Never sideways.

I've had two fraying harness adjusters on my own seats, since becoming a tech 6 years ago. One was a Graco SnugRide, and another a Britax Marathon. This isn't JUST a Britax problem, but it tends to be more common with Britax seats because of their longevity and the ratchet back and forth with that last cm or so of harness slack.

-N.

[momto2boysinOnt]

Thanks for all of the replies everyone. I actually placed a call with Britax this morning. I told them that the strap was frayed quite badly and that I needed a replacement. They asked for the serial and batch #'s on the seat, the DOM and the strap colour. Asked for my mailing address and said it should be here by the end of the week. NO questions asked!

Sounds like I got a poor CSR then. Your experience is much more like mine was the last time I dealt with Britax (for some replacement foam).

QuasEE, if you'd prefer that I call Britax again in the morning so that you can keep your replacement harness adjuster, I'd be happy to do so. Sounds like I should have a different experience this time around.

[QuassEE]

I've already got it addressed and ready to go out after our holiday tomorrow. Why subject yourself to more potential for frustration? :)

-Nicole.

[momto2boysinOnt]

I've already got it addressed and ready to go out after our holiday tomorrow. Why subject yourself to more potential for frustration? :)

Thanks! I'd much rather avoid another phone call if it isn't a problem for you.