Do you have the screws installed in your TurboBooster armrests?

Mae

Well-known member
I figured I'd make a nice "go-to" thread regarding the TurboBooster screws. :thumbsup:

If you are thinking to yourself, "What screws?!" check out my pictures below. :)


There is a baggy that came with your TurboBooster. It included the manual, the shoulder belt positioner, and a bag of two screws.

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Inside that bag, there was a little bag of screws.

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This is what the side of the TurboBooster looks like if there are not any screws installed in the armrest.

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This is what it should look like with the screws installed.

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Why are the screws so important?

Graco is very insistent on having the screws installed. While we do not know the exact reasoning that the screws are required, there have been some theories tossed around. Please note that these are only theories. One theory is that, upon impact, the incredible strength of the crash forces may cause the armrests to detach from the booster. This poses a problem because the armrests are what act as a child's hip bones. If the armrests are not acting as the hip bones, the seat belt may slide up onto the child's soft tummy, where it can severely damage, injure, crush, or cut internal organs. Or, perhaps the seat failed testing without the screws installed, or maybe it was not tested at all and we just do not know what will happen. If it has not been tested without the screws, then I am not willing to use my child as the crash test dummy to find what out WILL happen.

Either way, we do not know exactly why the screws must be installed -- All we know is that Graco requires it, and they absolutely forbid the use of the TurboBooster without the screws properly installed.



My TurboBooster doesn't have screws! What do I do?

If you do not have the screws installed and you have lost them, I recommend calling Graco (800-345-4109 (US) and 800-667-8184 (Canada) ) or go to Graco's website -- the Replacement Parts search and put in your Model Number and Date of Manufacture and underneath the option, "Height adjustment screw for armrest (1 of 2)", click on two (you need two screws for each seat) and they will send you free screws -- free shipping and everything. They should arrive within a week or two, depending on your location.

I do not recommend going to a store and buying screws -- You need to be able to ensure that you are using the correct screw. There are many different shapes, sizes, and lengths. Ordering (for free!) directly from Graco is the best way to ensure that you have the correct screw, and you will know your seat will function properly.

The Date of Manufacture, Model Number, and Serial Number (if required) can be found on the bottom of your booster seat, on a white sticker.

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The newer TurboBoosters that are being sold have the screws pre-installed, but there may still be some TurboBoosters being sold (such as the High Back Turbos or older ones that have not been sold yet) that do not have them installed. Or, you may already own a TurboBooster. Either way, be sure you have those screws in so your children can be riding safely! :)



Edited to Add, as it has been brought up later in the thread.

Technicians!

If you are a technician and need some screws for your tech kit, you can order a bulk amount from Graco's website. Just go to that above link and use the Model Number - 8491RGB - and the Date of Manufacture (DOM) of - 02/05/2008 -. All Turbos use the same screw, so it will work for all Turbos.

You can order up to five screws at a time per each order submitted. When I re-order a bulk of Turbo screws, I order 5 screws per each order, but then I place 4 or 5 orders. They all will arrive in separate packaging, but should arrive within a couple days of each other. Turbo screws seem to be handed out quickly at checks because Turbos are such a popular booster, so I recommend having a lot on hand! You will also need a Phillips screw driver; another good thing to have in your kit.

I do not recommend just going to a local hardware store and purchasing bulk. We (as a forum) have tried this in the past and it did not work out. There are many different shapes, sizes, lengths, etc. You are much better off just ordering directly from Graco where you have no doubt it will work.

I've never had a problem ordering a bulk amount from Graco. :thumbsup:
 
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Chameleon

New member
Yes I do. The latest Graco NBBs I have seen in stores already have the screws in the holes. The HBBs do not, or the ones on the shelf didn't.
 
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Mae

Well-known member
Yes I do. The latest Graco NBBs I have seen in stores already have the screws in the holes. The HBBs do not, or the ones on the shelf didn't.

Oh, I meant to add that to the OP! Thanks for reminding me. :)
 
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wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
Thank you!!! I'm tempted to print that out and put it up at Piper's school. There were 10 Turbos out for a field trip today (sigh, the primary classroom, mostly 3-5 year olds, and only three of them had backs) and three had screws. I think I put screws in two of those three.

Wendy
 

Mae

Well-known member
Thank you!!! I'm tempted to print that out and put it up at Piper's school. There were 10 Turbos out for a field trip today (sigh, the primary classroom, mostly 3-5 year olds, and only three of them had backs) and three had screws. I think I put screws in two of those three.

Wendy

Feel free to print it out and use it. If it will help keep a child safe - Go for it! The only thing I ask is that people do not use my photos and claim them as their own. :)
 

babyherder

Well-known member
Yep. I can't even use my good one and it has screws in it. My crashed one has screws in it. I may even add in another set of screws just to be extra safe (jk, course). I do have extra screws that I offer to others with screwless TBs.
 

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus
Mine doesn't, but it's my teaching booster because it was involved in a crash right before it expired. It didn't have the screws in for the crash, either. :eek: Luckily it was a very low-speed impact.
 

Carrie_R

Ambassador - CPS Technician
I don't have one, but I've put them in all of the Turbos I routinely borrow... :whistle:

Mae, you should link this thread in your sig. :)
 
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veggiegirl228

New member
Yes we do. I made sure of it. They (school) had a field trip last month and a NBB was left for transportation for one of the kids and I noticed right away NO SCREWS.
 

Twinklefae

New member
Thank you so much for including the Canadian number! The CA website is crap, I've been on the hunt for these for the last few days!
 

jbarro

New member
I don't have a TurboBooster, but I'm a teacher and the one we keep for transporting kids if necessary at school NOW has screws thanks to me. I'm reasonably sure the boosters in every other school in the board are lacking screws too.

I am annoyed because when I called Graco to ask for replacement screws, I specifically asked for them to send extra screws and explained that I'm a tech and would have lots of opportunities to use them (I don't know if I've ever seen a TB WITH screws) - but when the package arrived it only had 2 screws. What a waste of postage and a padded envelope!
 

Mae

Well-known member
I don't have a TurboBooster, but I'm a teacher and the one we keep for transporting kids if necessary at school NOW has screws thanks to me. I'm reasonably sure the boosters in every other school in the board are lacking screws too.

I am annoyed because when I called Graco to ask for replacement screws, I specifically asked for them to send extra screws and explained that I'm a tech and would have lots of opportunities to use them (I don't know if I've ever seen a TB WITH screws) - but when the package arrived it only had 2 screws. What a waste of postage and a padded envelope!


If you go to the website, you can order up to six screws at a time, per each order. Actually, they may have changed it to four now. Anyway, I just order four (or six, whatever it is) and place four orders in a row. :thumbsup:

If you don't have a booster to get a DOM and model number, a quick look at the Graco website can find you a model number, then make up a DOM.

If you can't find one, I'll post my info when I get home. :)

I order bulk amounts for my tech kit and I've never had a problem doing it this way.
 

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician
I ordered some extra free ones, and was planning to stick them in the floor model at BRU, but someone sold the floor model before I could get around to it! (against policy, as there are like 5 still left in a box that should have been sold first. Argh).
 

jbarro

New member
If you go to the website, you can order up to six screws at a time, per each order. Actually, they may have changed it to four now. Anyway, I just order four (or six, whatever it is) and place four orders in a row. :thumbsup:

If you don't have a booster to get a DOM and model number, a quick look at the Graco website can find you a model number, then make up a DOM.

If you can't find one, I'll post my info when I get home. :)

I order bulk amounts for my tech kit and I've never had a problem doing it this way.

Thanks Mae :) That would be awesome, but I can't find a way to order them from the Canadian website - that's why I had to call and request the screws.
 

AtTheSouthDam

New member
Yes, even though it is not in use yet! It is assembled and covered with the plastic bag covering it on the top shelf of the closet.
 

Mae

Well-known member
Thanks Mae :) That would be awesome, but I can't find a way to order them from the Canadian website - that's why I had to call and request the screws.

Ah, I see. I'll look around on the website and see if I can find anything.

I'll PM you, too. ;)
 

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