Seat Belt Anchorages (Panel repairs)

Seat Belt Anchorages

Seat belt anchorages are safety critical. When making repairs in these areas it is essential to follow design specifications. Note that High Strength Low Alloy (HSLA) steel may be used for seat belt anchorages.

Where possible, the original production assembly should be used, complete with its seat belt anchorages, or the cut line should be so arranged that the original seat belt anchorage is not disturbed.

All welds within 250mm of seat belt anchorages must be carefully checked for weld quality, including spacing of spot welds.

WARNING: Body parts incorporating seat belt anchorages MUST be renewed completely if damaged beyond repair, as the welds in these areas are safety critical and cannot be disturbed.

High Strength Steels

Body panels are being increasingly manufactured in high strength steels to meet design requirements for safety and weight saving. As panels in high strength steels cannot be visually identified by the repairer, and as they can be more sensitive to excess heat than would be the case with low carbon steels, it is advisable that the following procedure be observed at all times.

While individual repairs will differ in detail, the following Panel Replacement Procedure has been devised placing emphasis on ease of repair and the elimination of unnecessary work. Where replacement of a particular panel involves departure from the Panel Replacement Procedure, a note to that effect is included in the relevant panel replacement operation.