Checking for Movement

[ngs215]

I have only ever installed car seats with latch, but tried seatbelt installs today because I was trying to fit myself in the back with the kids for a long car trip. After a lot of effort, I finally thought I got them installed. I pushed the seats back and forth near the belt path and they barely moved. It was much less than an inch, but not rock solid like we get with latch. Then my husband checked them and at first they didn't move much, but after he pushed and pulled on them a few times, they started moving more and he kept getting move and more movement each push/pull cycle.

I am trying to figure out if I am not using enough force when I check for movement or if he is using too much. I know that is hard to tell over the internet. I feel like the install must be bad if my husband can work it loose, but then why am I not seeing it as bad when I first check them?

 

[LISmama810]

Pretty much any installation can be made loose if you try hard enough. The point isn't to MAKE it loose, it's to make sure it's sufficiently tight to begin with.

I give one or two moderate push-pulls, I figure about the force you'd use to open a refrigerator. As long as it doesn't move more than an inch, it's fine. No need to keep working at it.

 

[aaiya]

I have only ever installed car seats with latch, but tried seatbelt installs today because I was trying to fit myself in the back with the kids for a long car trip. After a lot of effort, I finally thought I got them installed. I pushed the seats back and forth near the belt path and they barely moved. It was much less than an inch, but not rock solid like we get with latch. Then my husband checked them and at first they didn't move much, but after he pushed and pulled on them a few times, they started moving more and he kept getting move and more movement each push/pull cycle.

I am trying to figure out if I am not using enough force when I check for movement or if he is using too much. I know that is hard to tell over the internet. I feel like the install must be bad if my husband can work it loose, but then why am I not seeing it as bad when I first check them?

OP, we must have the same husband!