Installing an evenflo Chase? how to secure bottom?

[Unregistered]

We are trying to install an Evenflo Chase into our Integra without Latch. When you thread the shoulder/lap belt through the seat and buckle it in tightly with all your weight on the seat.....the base of the seat still moves alot. It seems the lapbelt space is so high up on the seat that it does not hold the base of the seat in place at all. If you pull in the front of the seat, the whole thing moves forward. Any tricks to work this issue out?
We had a MA back there before with no issue.

[mominabigtruck]

Are you locking your seatbelt after it's installed? Because it doesn't have built in locking clips like your marathon you need to lock the actual seatbelt. I've never been in an acura at all so I can't tell you what type of locking belts you have but they should either lock at the buckle or by pulling the seatbelt all the way out and ratcheting back in.

[Unregistered]

We have emergency locking belts so they do not lock at all....we are using the locking clip..but that does not seem to help at all!

[Unregistered]

ok..just tried it again. The seat belt is a lap/shoulder combo that is an emergency locking type...meaning you can't make the belt lock...only the cars breaks can. ( from what I understand....) I can get a good tight fit with all my weight and the lock clip installed however as soon as I wiggle the seat...the shoulder strap gives more length and the whole seat comes out! Why did this not happen with the MA?

[Unregistered]

I am trying to install our new Chase car seat into our car with slight bucket seats and emergency locking seat belts.....no matter how tight I get the seat belt with the locking clip on....as soon as I wiggle the seat, it loosens the belt from shoulder.(again because this is an emergency locking seat belt I guess). This does not happen with the rear facing seats we have used as the belt path is so low it does not draw more belt from the shoulder....The belt path on the chase is halfway up the seat so it seems to just pull more shoulder belt. Am I doing something wrong or does this just mean that the Chase is not for us????

[LISmama810]

Also, make sure you test for movement at the belt path only. If you try to wiggle the front of the seat, it very well might move, and might loosen a previously good installation.

[canadiangie]

What vehicle?

Year, make and model please.

[christineka]

I am absolutely confused! If you are locking the belt with a locking clip, then the shoulder belt will be loose, but it should have no bearing on the seat's install.

To install a seat with a locking clip, install the seat with the loose belt. Put your knee in the seat, and tighten the belt as much as youcan. At the buckle grip the shoulder and lap belt together while unbuckling. Bring the belt out with the two pieces together. Add the locking clip 1 inch from the buckle. (I like to retract the belt just slightly first.) Then rebuckle the seat. If it is not tight enough you can twist the buckle stalk up to 3 full turns.

You should only need a locking clip if the vehicle was made in 1996 or earlier.

[Pixels]

What year is the vehicle? All vehicles since 96 (94?) model year have belts that lock some way. Some lock at the latch plate. On these, the lap portion will stay tight but the shoulder portion will be loose until an accident. Others lock at the retractor, by switching them. To switch it, pull the belt all the way out slowly. Then let it go back in, you will hear a clicking. You will not be able to pull it out again until it goes back to emergency mode (which will happen automatically when the belt goes all the way back in).

[Unregistered]

It is a 1992 Acura Integra. Ok...I see now the error of my thoughts.....when using a shoulder/lap combo with a floating buckle on it....only the lap portion of the belt can be tight...not the portion from the belt clip..which as at the buckle to the shoulder...as this type of seat belt never locks at the shoulder. OK I will try it again and just focus on the lap part.

[Unregistered]

Ok....I have a decent fit now...it will not move if I try to shift it from side to side at the place of the seat path.... I did not even try to pull it forward as I think this will loosen it. Does this sound right?

How I did it was I moved the belt lockin clip. The instructions say to place it near the buckle....however I noticed the other seat we have (Scenera) instructs to put the locking clip on the other side...where the lap and should belts come together to thread into the seat. Is it ok to change positions????

[scatterbunny]

The locking clip must always be on the latchplate side, within one inch of the latchplate (as close as possible without touching the latchplate).

Here's a great explanation of when and how to use a locking clip: http://carseatsite.com/lockingclips.htm

This one is also good: http://cpsafety.com/articles/lockincss.aspx

You mentioned that the seat will probably move higher up on the seat, but not at the belt path. That's okay; to check for a solid install, use one hand, grab near the belt path and give a few gentle tugs side-to-side and front-to-back. Don't go crazy with it and use all your force; even the best install will loosen up with abuse like that (and a properly-installed carseat will usually be loose after a crash, too). :) A forward-facing seat that is not top-tethered (only installed with a seatbelt) and rear-facing seats will have some movement the closer you get to the top of the seat shell. That's okay. :thumbsup:

That being said, you can install tether anchors in your Integra; I did it myself in a 1991 Honda, ordered the parts online for $10-$15. You only need a torque wrench, and it takes les than 15 minutes. Top-tethering any forward-facing seat increases the safety performance by reducing head excursion (the amount of space the child's head will fly forward in a crash).

Hopefully the locking clip primers will help figure out the install, but definitely post back if you have more questions. I'd also highly recommend finding a local certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. We give out lots of good advice around here :p , but nothing compares to properly trained hands and eyes, possibly familiar with your seat/vehicle combo.

You can search for a Car-Seat.org CPST in your area here (http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=59135&highlight=car-seat.org+technicians).

[ketchupqueen]

Since the OP posted in the Canadian/Int'l. forum, I assume s/he is not in the U.S.?

There are Canadian techs on the forum list, if you're in Canada. They can give you more information on finding help in your area if you need it. :)

[TechnoGranola]

That being said, you can install tether anchors in your Integra; I did it myself in a 1991 Honda, ordered the parts online for $10-$15. You only need a torque wrench, and it takes les than 15 minutes. Top-tethering any forward-facing seat increases the safety performance by reducing head excursion (the amount of space the child's head will fly forward in a crash).Hopefully she already has a tether anchor installed since tethering a FF seat is the law here (assuming OP is in Canada and doesn't realize it is required).

[scatterbunny]

And, being in Canada, top-tethering forward-facing seats is required. :thumbsup:

ETA-TechnoGranola and I cross-posted. I was replying to ketchupqueen. :p

Since the OP said the seat moves at the top, I was assuming the seat was not tethered.

[TechnoGranola]

Since the OP said the seat moves at the top, I was assuming the seat was not tethered.Good point. Hopefully she'll get it taken care of quickly if she's in Canada (or even if she's not!). Like you said, it's easy in Honda's.

[Unregistered]

Thank you for your help everyone.....ok. So it is back to the drawing board. I will give it another try in the morning with the clip on the buckle side. Hopefully something will work better. It is toooooo cold and dark and I am too tired to try in now.

BTW...I am in Ontario Canada.


Will report back tomorrow how this went.

[snowbird25ca]

I don't recall seeing anyone mention this, so I'm going to give you one more tip to add to your arsenal. ;)

Depending on the length of your buckle stalks, you may be able to twist it to shorten it down and this will likely make things easier. Up to 3 complete twists is acceptable, though you should use the least number needed.

The belt path on the Chase is a little low, so it could be that twisting the buckle stalk may be all it takes to allow you to get the locking clip closer to the latch plate and the installation solid.

Is there a 2nd person around who can give you a hand? I usually tell parents that a locking clip is a 2 person job just because it makes it so much easier for them. It absolutely can be done with 1 person, but if there's a 2nd one there, might as well do it the easy way. :thumbsup:

[Defrost]

ok..just tried it again. The seat belt is a lap/shoulder combo that is an emergency locking type...meaning you can't make the belt lock...only the cars breaks can. ( from what I understand....) I can get a good tight fit with all my weight and the lock clip installed however as soon as I wiggle the seat...the shoulder strap gives more length and the whole seat comes out! Why did this not happen with the MA?

When you install a carseat with a non-locking seat belt (emergency-locking-only, or ELR) and a locking clip, you are essentially using the lap portion of the seat belt to hold the carseat in place. The shoulder portion of your seat belt coming loose should not be having an effect on your install, so I suspect you're either not using the locking clip correctly (which would be understandable if you're used to the MA lockoffs) or you're not getting the lap portion tight enough before you add the locking clip.

[Unregistered]

Ok..we installed using the proper locking clip method and now when I try to move the seat side to side...no movement. If I pull forward at all on the seat, it will give lots of movement in that direction. Also the tether is alittle short. It is at it longest and pulls the front of the seat up slightly....I am assuming this is ok?

Does this install sound good?

[stayinhomewithmy4]

It sounds like you're getting it figured out. Did you have to twist the buckle stalk at all?
Just one more question, do you have leather seats in your vehicle?

[Pixels]

If I pull forward at all on the seat, it will give lots of movement in that direction.

Does this install sound good?

Lots of movement where? The top of the shell is allowed to move. Look right at the beltpath. That is where it must move less than one inch in any direction (including forward). If it is pulling forward, sometimes that can be fixed by starting out with the seat slightly forward. Buckle and tighten, and check again for movement.

[Unregistered]

no we dont have leather seats. and we have not twisted the belt. Is it ok to twist the lap portion of the belt to get a tighter fit?


It is very tight if I hold on to each side at the belt height and tug from side to side. If I grab the front of the seat and tug, the right corner....where the belts enter the carseat pulls away from the car about 2-3 inches. It seems the belt path is so high that there really is not much rersistance in that corner..?If I really tug, i could probably loosen the whole seat.

Is this ok?

[Defrost]

Ok..we installed using the proper locking clip method and now when I try to move the seat side to side...no movement. If I pull forward at all on the seat, it will give lots of movement in that direction. Also the tether is alittle short. It is at it longest and pulls the front of the seat up slightly....I am assuming this is ok?

Does this install sound good?

It definitely sounds better! :thumbsup:

The movement you're describing sounds to me like you might have "forward-of-the-bight" buckles. That means that your seat belt buckles are not in the "crack" (bight) where the seat bottom and seat back meet, but are closer to the middle of the seat bottom. This can make for some VERY difficult installs, so if that's the case it's no wonder you're having such a hard time!

There is a trick, though, and it should help, IF you do have forward-of-the-bight buckles. This article (http://car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=28939) has pictures of forward-of-the-bight buckles, so you can see what I mean, and while the instructions are specifically for a Radian and don't include using a locking clip, the pictures will also show you how to position the carseat so that you get a good install with this type of buckle. (Basically, you need line up the belt path with the buckles by starting out with the carseat pulled forward a bit, which will create a gap near the bottom of the carseat, but most of the back of the carseat will still be resting against the vehicle seat once you get finished.)

Let me know if you have this type of buckle and I can give you a better description.

[Unregistered]

Ah ha!!! I jsut went out to the car...and I DO have those buckels!!!!! I took some pics but I could figure out how to post...... OK let me go back and read those instructions you just sent..........thanks!!! Will keep you posted.

[Farm_Mama]

So does the Chase recline like the Radian to make it possible to pull it out from the bight but still have the top half against the back of the seat?

[Unregistered]

No...in fact, because the tether is so short we cant move the seat up a couple of inches as suggested as the tether pulls so hard on the top, the whole seat floats off the car.

Ok. we have given up. Guess this is an example of a seat that does not fit a car.

I just ordered the Nautilus.....wish us luck!!!!!!!!!

[scatterbunny]

Forward-of-the-bight seatbelts are so difficult to work with, I feel your pain. I hope the Nautilus is the answer!

[Defrost]

No...in fact, because the tether is so short we cant move the seat up a couple of inches as suggested as the tether pulls so hard on the top, the whole seat floats off the car.

Ok. we have given up. Guess this is an example of a seat that does not fit a car.

I just ordered the Nautilus.....wish us luck!!!!!!!!!

Yep - sounds like an incompatibility. Good luck with the Nautilus! :thumbsup: