Help with Marathom in Saturn SL2

[traciann]

I am trying to install a Marathon rf in my car. I have noticed a couple of problems. My back seats are super inclined.

*I was having problems installing the seat in the middle and getting the seatbelt tight enough.

*I can install the seat on the side, but the lock-off will not close with both belts in there. am I doing something wrong?

*I can get it tight on the bottom, but not on the top. I thought it was supposed to be rock solid. its moves.

I was almost in a panic to think I bought the wrong seat. We installed it FF just to try, and it took 2 seconds and was rock solid.

I don't have a CPS tech anywhere around, so I am not sure who can help me with this in person.

Thanks,
Traci

[traciann]

anyone?

[Joolsplus2]

Ooops, missed ya!

I think what you should try is to roll up a towel under the front of the base of the MA (or use a foam leveler or cut pool noodle, but usually a towel is something you already have...)
http://home.earthlink.net/~carseatsite/reclineangle.htm
Then, install your seat...try in the middle again if you want, but don't worry about the angle of recline, just push DOWN HARD on the front of the seat while you pull the seatbelt tight. The seat will be way upright, you'll think I'm crazy, but the belts will get tight. Then, you know that funny little strap attatched to your top tether? Page 24 or 25 of your manual talks vaguely about swedish or australian tethering. you wil swedish tether it by tying that little strap to the back of the front seat track or leg or any solid hunk of metal, clip the top tether to it, and pull it tight so your seat is reclined, and really solidly installed. (but actually? it's fine for a seat to wiggle when rearfacing...ONLY the part that the seatbelt goes through it needs to be tight, and ONLY Britaxes allow you to tether it rearfacing...so everyone else has wobbling seats all the time, and they are still remarkably safe :) )

http://www.angelfire.com/wa3/isakswings/ratetherrf.html is what tethering looks like.

Good luck... about your lockoffs... you can try doing the ones on the other side, that might be easier... but you want to make the 2 belts not directly on top of each other, you kind of want them only halfway overlapping, so they are overall thinner and the lockoff can stay closed... it's a lot of work, and I recommend NOT pulling your shoulderbelts out to lock them till you are happy with your seat install...having them locked and retracting while you are trying to work the seat is a huge pain.

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[Kidrepair]

Hi Julie, Don't know if you will look here again or not. I was just getting online to post about installing a AO in my SIL Saturn. I installed it about a year ago and was never happy until you suggested taking the base off. I went over and did just that yesterday. I hate those locking seatbelts. I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee and have installed many a carseat due to childcare and I have always had a tight fit on everything. But back to the subject. Can you install tether anchors in Saturns? I tried taking off a plastic plug on her ledge behind the seats and ended up breaking the thing. Then I looked in her trunk and could see no possible way you could put an anchor in there. But thought I would ask in case she can get one installed. Thanks in advance.

[Joolsplus2]

Yup, sure can. Do you know the exact year and car model? I probably have the exact part number, and the technical bulletin number to get GM to install it free.

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[Kidrepair]

Thanks

She has a Saturn SL2 1997. I was asking my BIL about her car and telling him why I needed the info, and he was clueless about tethers, he thought he needed to buy a new carseat. some people are so clueless.

[Joolsplus2]

Yeah, I'm never sure exactly why carseat terms/parts/etc are so difficult for so many folks to understand.. maybe if carseat companies would advertise a little, people would get a clue? Sigh...

Ok, looks like you can only get anchors outboard, nothing in the center... 2 8mm weld nuts in rear filler panel, TA points covered by plastic plugs (you said you broke one poppning it out? hehehe, see? plastic does break down after a few years... in case anyone ever asks you why carseats expire!).

Technical Service Bulletin 99-09-40-004 is what you tell the dealer to look up if they try to charge you for the part or installation, and the pare number is 21048101 (this is the car, right? http://www.intellichoice.com/reports/vehicleReport/vehicle_nmb/100003316/type/used/year/1997/make/Saturn/model/SL2 ).

It won't look like much once you pop those caps out...just a black hole...the parts should screw right into them. I don't know if there are specific instructions for that..just don't overtighten the bolt is the general rule of thumb.

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx