Question Locking clips

[mlohry]

My tech cert is expired, but I had a friend ask me to look at her seat, it wasn't tight. I looked at it, totally not tight. It was in a 2000 Bonneville. I could not get the belts to ratchet and no LATCH. The latch plate also didn't lock when I put it in. I felt the only option was a Locking clip. Problem is I haven't used one for a long time, not since my cert. I put it in the way I thought it should be. She has family that are fire fighters and she is going to check with them. I felt like the only way the seat would be tight at all was to use the clip. The seat is an ETA. She just bought it. I encouraged her to return it for a Britax or True Fit with built in clips. She also made mention that maybe the belts were supposed to ratchet, neither side did. Her DD uses a booster on the other side, I told her to verify with a dealer if there was an issue with the belts, I don't know...

 

[mlohry]

Just realized I put this in Chat, please move it.

 

[Brianna]

A quick search shows they should be locking latchplates. Did you try flipping the male end of the buckle 180 degrees before buckling?

 

[mlohry]

A quick search shows they should be locking latchplates. Did you try flipping the male end of the buckle 180 degrees before buckling?

I didn't, wish I would have though of that...grrr!

 

[Brianna]

Well as long as the LC was on right and it was an otherwise acceptable installation there's no reason it can't have a LC on it. Here's my EFTA with a LC

 

[mlohry]

Well as long as the LC was on right and it was an otherwise acceptable installation there's no reason it can't have a LC on it. Here's my EFTA with a LC

That's exactly how I did it and it's tight! Yay! I told her to try to flip it, but I'll let her know it's right for now. She said she'd get it checked.

 

[mominabigtruck]

I always used a locking clip in my grand am because the latchplates would loosen over time. I have the same problem in my caravan and just use them in there too because I don't want to have to worry about it all the time.
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[LISmama810]

Have her get it checked by a certified tech. Her relatives who are firefighters are probably very good at rescuing people, but it doesn't mean they've ever seen a locking clip in their lives.

 

[mlohry]

Have her get it checked by a certified tech. Her relatives who are firefighters are probably very good at rescuing people, but it doesn't mean they've ever seen a locking clip in their lives.

I told her that just because they are firefighters doesn't mean they are certified. She said she would make sure, she also has in laws that are police. At least I know the seat is ok for the moment! I have got to get recertified!

 

[safeinthecar]

The type of locking latchplate it has is actually a cinching latchplate. It has a little plastic triangle thingy inside the slot where the webbing passes through the latchplate. The little triangle thingy rotates just a little bit and clamps down on the belt when the webbing is parallel to the buckle. It will hold tight under normal tension, but if you pull hard you can loosen it up. make sure not to check for movement with excessive force. Just give the seat a firm handshake.

 

[mlohry]

The type of locking latchplate it has is actually a cinching latchplate. It has a little plastic triangle thingy inside the slot where the webbing passes through the latchplate. The little triangle thingy rotates just a little bit and clamps down on the belt when the webbing is parallel to the buckle. It will hold tight under normal tension, but if you pull hard you can loosen it up. make sure not to check for movement with excessive force. Just give the seat a firm handshake.

It was odd looking, not like one I'd seen before!