Seat mounts

[chris.richard]

My Blue book is a 2002 vintage - can anyone tell me if the seatmount regs have changed since then? The rules about size and thickness of spreader plates are the ones I'm thinking of (Q2.2f)

[rutthenut]

Hopefully you can read the details from this snap, taken using my phone!

J.R.

[rutthenut]

Diagram showing [mandatory] seat mount reinforcements.

Notice that a spreader plate is applied each side of the floor panel, to form a sandwich-type assembly or 'counterplate reinforcement'.

J.R.

[rutthenut]

The seat mountings described in the blue book apply 'if the original seat attachment or supports are changed', which is a moot point for a kit car. Still, the safety requirements are clear enough.

To summarise:

At least 4 mounting points, using bolts of min 8mm diameter and counterplates. Plates to have at least 40 sq.cm contact area for each mounting point, with a minimum longitudinal dimension of 6cm. Steel plates minimum 3mm thickness, alloy plates minimum 5mm.

Counterplates to be installed as per figure Q32, which shows a plate above and below the panel (i.e. sandwich around the floor pan).

J.R.

[chris.richard]

Thanks John. I didn't realise camera phones were capable of such resolution!