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View Full Version : Help w/MA install please! - updated w/pics



MommyAllison
04-05-2006, 04:33 PM
We got the MA and are trying to install it but having a few problems. We are installing RF in the back seat outboard position in a 97 Blazer, 4dr.

1) The lockoff we're trying to use (farthest from the buckle) will just barely close, and then when we try to finish retracting the seatbelt, it pops open right away. Without the lockoff, the seat tips sideways way too much. DH is frustrated and doesn't want to use it without the lockoff because he thinks in a crash, the seat will not be safe enough. I would prefer to use the lockoffs too, since that's part of the reason I picked a Britax! Any suggestions?

2) I'm running the seatbelt under the cover and thought that was correct, til I did a search here to read about lockoffs, and read a post that seemed to say that the seatbelt also needs to go under the foam? This seems weird. There was a reference to pictures posted in another thread, but I couldn't find them.

3) I think I found a good place to tether - where the front seat's seatbelt attaches to the floor, it is a metal ring that is bolted into the car floor (I lifted up the carpet to double check that it's all metal and bolted). This ring does not move at all - ok spot to tether to? And I use the clip to tether? The only reason I can think it might not be good is because the ring is over next to the door, so the tether will be at an angle, not going straight towards the front of the car. Sorry, the tether is really confusing to me!

I think that's all for now. I can post a picture of the ring to tether to if it would help. Thanks for any help - I want to use this seat so badly, I hope I can get it installed soon!

Oh yeah - when we had the SR installed, we took it to a car seat check (the only one in town!), but the lady seemed to know less about it than I did - though she helped DH to get a solid install, she told me not to use the locking clip (I had put it on at Julie's recommendation) and in general didn't make me feel super confident in her knowledge - so I really don't have anywhere to take the seat to have it looked at. :(

ETA: Ok, we installed without the lockoffs, and I realized I am probably supposed to run the seatbelt under the grey foam (I thought the post meant the white foam :) ), so did that too. Tethered it to that ring and braced it against the front seat and yay! We have a very solid install - much better than w/the SR. I did take some pics to make sure I did it right, here they are:

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/32817.jpg

You can see the tether in the above and below pictures - does it look ok?

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/32818.jpg

Below is my tether ring

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/32819.jpg


http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/32820.jpg

Is the base sitting on the seat ok in picture below?

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/32821.jpg


http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/32822.jpg

Because we didn't use the lockoffs, the belt looks like this on the non-buckle side (see picture below) is it ok?

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/32823.jpg


Allison

http://b1.lilypie.com/XvRAm8/.png (http://lilypie.com)

Joolsplus2
04-06-2006, 09:13 AM
Here's your seat's older twin in my car http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y255/joolstag/?start=20

As for the lockoffs, you can use 'either, neither, or both' for a good install, they just say use the one opposite the buckle so that the buckle doesn't cram into the lockoff and break it, but I generally prefer to use the one on the buckle side, personally. Usually wiggling the base forward or back, and fiddling with getting the belts so they don't overlap in the lockoff, are what is needed to keep that lockoff closed... it just can't tolerate too much thickness of belts, so you have to fiddle with it till you find the magic point of staying closed...and then pray it stays that way!

Your top tether point looks great!

I just read your ETA's...lol, yeah, running it under the white foam would be some kind of hard work! Glad you figured it out!

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

MommyAllison
04-06-2006, 12:38 PM
Thanks Julie! I will go cut the tags off now that I know it's good :) Oh - but is the base sitting on the seat ok? It seems very stable but I just want to make sure! It seems like our base is digging into the seat more than yours does in your pictures. Thanks again!

Allison
http://b1.lilypie.com/XvRAm8/.png (http://lilypie.com)

Joolsplus2
04-06-2006, 02:50 PM
Oh yeah, you're base is fine...probably just different from mine because of the differing incline of our seats. It'll leave a square indent in your seat when you remove it, but it'll pop out after the seats removed for a bit (like a couple weeks).
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx