Radian in Odyssey installation problems

[coolpillow]

I am having trouble installing my FF Radian in the captain's chair in an 2009 Odyssey. I have searched previous threads and used the following tips, but the seat still moves way too much.

I have the recline on the radian popped out. I've reclined the vehicle seat all the way (I've also tried it without doing this) and reached through the slits in the fabric to get the seat belt as tight as possible. I have twisted the belt stalk twice and can't get another rotation in there. The buckle touches the seat--I've heard this is wrong. I have been putting all of my 140 lbs on the seat to try to get it nice and tight (without success).

Also, previously I had the captain's chair in the outboard position. I decided that since passengers don't currently need to access the back seat, that I'd move the captain's chair to the middle position since that would be safer in a side impact crash. This seat position seems to make the problem worse since there the seat belt needs to be extended further over empty space, however, I had the same problem (maybe not as bad) when the cpt's chair was in the outboard position.

I am able to get the radian to move several inches when I grab it near the rear facing belt path. It is a little better after I install the tether, but not by much.

[lovinwaves]

It looks pretty dang tight from your pictures.

How exactly are you checking for movement? You should just place your weakest hand near the FF'ing belt path and try to move it side to side. Grabbing on the RF'ing belt path may be torquing it a bit and it's coming loose on you. There really is no need to try and slam the seat back and forth to make sure it is tight enough. Not saying you are doing this, but I commonly see this mistake done.

FWIW, I constantly have to check the tightness of my Radian's in my Odyssey. They seem to loosen up pretty quickly and easily.

Is the child over 40lbs? Is that why you are using the seatbelt? If not, then I would just use the LATCH until you can meet up with a Technician.


ETA: Your vehicle seat looks really upright. How about trying to recline it just a bit?

Also, is the headrest still on?

[coolpillow]

Before I wrote my question here, I was basically trying to see if I could get it to move--jiggling, torquing as you described, etc. After I read your message, I installed again prior to fastening the belt, I tried to find the angle of the seat that the radian fit best against, which happened to be the same angle as the seat next to the radian's seat, so after I make the seat sit up again after dramatically reclining it, I had something to match it to.

When I tried to move it as you described, it didn't move, and it only moved a little (less than 1") when I grabbed the sides and tried to shift it.

I find the angle of the belt path in the radian and the angle of seatbelts really not making sense as far as holding the seat securely. The belt is as tight as it can possibly be, but I think the belt path is not as logical as the Britaxes and infant seats my child was in at a younger age. We have been car shopping, and it has been so tricky to get this Radian seat secure.

The headrest is on, the tether goes under the headrest, and there is no contact btw headrest and radian.

My child is over 40 lbs, so LATCH is not an option, but I'm not sure it would get me a better installation anyways.

[Pixels]

Have you tried installing it with the base of the Radian forward of the bight by a couple of inches? In the second picture, it looks like you had the base up tight against the back of the seat. In your first picture, see how there's a bit of a gap at the bottom? Start out with it like that on both sides. Then, while you're installing, do not press back on the seat at all, only down.

[musicmaj]

Have you tried installing it with the base of the Radian forward of the bight by a couple of inches? In the second picture, it looks like you had the base up tight against the back of the seat. In your first picture, see how there's a bit of a gap at the bottom? Start out with it like that on both sides. Then, while you're installing, do not press back on the seat at all, only down.

This is what I had to do to install my radian in my 04 ody. (seats and belts look identicle to me) Also, at first I needed my husband to pull the seatbelt tight while I put my weight into the seat. After we had installed it a few times I got it down on my own.

[LEAW]

What I've found to work is to recline the captains chair, 2-3 clicks, then install it forward of the bight (kneel in it), then pull the back of the captains chair up while kneeling in it to make it tight. This happens in a few different vehicles that I use, and it's easier to do the chair back trick than to just fight it in (which I have to do in my dad's car, no recline to work with).