Will Simpson recertify belts?

[Curt C.]

Nothing on their web page about it. Belts just went out of date. If they do recertify / reweb, how much? Thanks

[Cobra #42]

You really need to buy new, if you are racing and have to pass some type of technical inspection. The belts may look fine, but are will to bet your life ?? Belts have an expiration date for a reason, they lose their ability to keep us in the seat and not hit things.

I know it seems to be a waste, but your worth it.

Later, db

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Curt;

You can have them rewebbed..... I can not remember the guy's name but he goes to all the big cars shows,has a small enclosed trailer and all he does is re-web belts.... Very reasonable,even puts new date code on them and I know NHRA and a number of other sanctioning bodies recognize his work....

For a weekend racer,it's a good deal....

David

[badrich]

Curt: The SCCA rag ran a couple of articles about safety belts last year and
how they deteriate with age and especially from ultraviolet rays from the sun. My belts that came with the car look almost perfect, but before I run any competition events I'm going to spring for new ones. I'll give you a good price on my old ones though. ; ) Rich

[mrmustang]

Curt,

I have to ask, with the average cost (Simpson) five point harnesses in the $99.95-$115.00 range, why in the world would you bother with recertification (actually rewebbing)??? The cost of doing so, not including shipping is $75-$85....Couple that with the shipping of your belts (Figure $10.00 each), and your not really saving much....How much is your life worth to you.


Bill S.

[casaleenie]

To get to my belts which are anchored behind the bulkhead requires the car to be on a lift...
I would definitely be easier to cut the old ones out and replace them with new belts and brackets.
My seat belts in my truck and SUV will last the life of the car...
I'm sure the Simpsons don't self destruct on expiration day.
My car is garage kept and I don't plan on racing it. Not a whole lot of exposure to sunlight and I don't see myself changing them when the date label expires...
I'm sure it's the major manufacturers who set the time limits on web life not the SCCA and NASCAR. I would bet that they are conservative to a fault in setting usual limits on the belting.
The financial benefits to the manufacturers has to be enormous.

[Curt C.]

Yes, I thought the cost might make it a silly proposition. The belts are two years old and in great condition. Car sits in the garage most of the time. I am definitely concerned about my safety, especially at 150 mph on some of the road courses. I will just order a new set. Red Simpson Y Latch type belts anyone?

[DAVID GAGNARD]

NHRA rules are very safety minded and they would rather make an error on the side of safety.... I've always thought 2 years was a very "short" belt lifespan.... Around here, most of the dirt track guys buy thier belts from the drag guys,they are allowed five years on a set of belts....

I'm sure the belt manufacters are real happy with the 2 year rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW,the guy I was referring to that re-webs belts charges if my memory is correct, around 40 bucks for a complete set at the shows,has all his equipment in the trailer and does the re-webbing on the spot....I have two sets,one for myself and one for a freind that will go to the National show in Pensecola this spring for a re-webbing from this guy.....

David

[DonC]

I've been an FAA Master Parachute Rigger for almost 40 years and can appreciate the SCCA limit of 2 years on a set of belts. Exclusive of the deterioration from UV exposure and contaminants in the air, they have no way of knowing what the belts have been exposed to by way of handling and other variables too numerous to mention.
Since testing the webbing and hardware would destroy them the only rational approach is to mandate a service life.
DonC

[rdorman]

Mine are from Deist and they reweb them. Good turn around, good price.
Rick

[Curt C.]

I have been thinking about this as it relates to the DOT belts in our daily drivers. Should one change these belts at some interval? Just curious?

[BB427]

Buy new.

Brent