Leaning seat install

toyarmy · Apr 13, 2010

Earlier I helped a friend install a SF air protect seat RF in her older model ford explorer (pre latch)

I started in the center. The belt would not wouldn't readilly feed back in, making a tight install... Impossible. So I went to the passenger side, everytime I'd start to get the belt tight it'd come undone, which naturally concerned me, so I switched to the drivers side. Got a super tight install, but the seat leans a couple degrees towards the center. She said her infant carrier did this as well. I tried all I could think of to straighten it up to no avail.

Is this a problem? If so, what can be done?

Thank you!

SusanMae · Apr 13, 2010

Over time it will tip further and further towards the center. Typical problem for a lighter weight seat and a locking retractor. The fix...use a locking clip.

Remember the owner of the car and seat should be the last person to install the seat.

Susan

Misty-Bug · Apr 13, 2010

I agree with Susan. your goal is to educate the parents. I am not yet certified so after showing them how to install the seat I undo it completely and make them redo it. Yeah I am mean. lol.

like Susan said, a locking clip will help with the lean. The reason it is leaning is because the shoulder belt is locked. She should also get that passenger side belt fixed. It is not safe for any of the passengers, car seat or not, that would be in that spot.

Pixels · Apr 13, 2010

I am certified and I'm still not the last person to install the seat. I demonstrate and work out any problems, then pull the seat and have the parents do it.

toyarmy · Apr 14, 2010

i feel bad now that i didnt make an extra effort to show her how its done, ill make sure to do that in the future.

as for the locking clip. makes sense. ill suggest that to her.

thank you!

skaterbabs · Apr 14, 2010

Make absolutely certain the locking clip is being used correctly. It needs to be within one inch of the latchplate, with all four "feet" on the same side of the belt webbing. It should NEVER be on the opposite side of the seat or used when a passenger is wearing the belt.

mykidsmom · Apr 14, 2010

I thought that a seat that leans a bit is an acceptable installation?

Our seats have always leaned a little bit.

skaterbabs · Apr 14, 2010

Yes, it is. Unless it's super wonky, and use common sense on what's too much leaning, it's not really an issue. Most of my clients chose to just reinstall, but a locking clip to prevent the tilt in the first place is not wrong when used correctly.

Misty-Bug · Apr 14, 2010

skaterbabscpst said:
Make absolutely certain the locking clip is being used correctly. It needs to be within one inch of the latchplate, with all four "feet" on the same side of the belt webbing. It shhttp://www.car-seat.org/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=1248703#ould NEVER be on the opposite side of the seat or used when a passenger is wearing the belt.

:yeahthat:

it should look like this. it is either going to be all the way in or out of the belt path. and if anything in this picture the locking clip should be a little closer to the male end. toward the buckel

this is all the way in

Leaning seat install

toyarmy

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SusanMae

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Misty-Bug

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Pixels

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toyarmy

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skaterbabs

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mykidsmom

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