1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Federal Law & Seat Belts

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Old Jan 18, 2004 | 05:18 PM
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Federal Law & Seat Belts

I am restoring my RX7 and after having the seats (Front & Rear), dashboard, door panels, carpet, recovered etc my seat belts look bad.


They are faded an off black and look terrible.

Here's the question. Is it possible to dye the seat belts? Will the dye come off on my clothes?

Replacing the belts would require taking apart the seat belt retractors which are not servicable.

I also heard that some dealers will replace seat belts for free even after the car warranty is up.

Why would dealers do this? Just to aviod possible law suits or is there some sort of federal law stating they have to do it even if the warranty is up?

I know that the dealers have to replace bad convertors & emission parts for up to 80,000 miles in warranty or not. That is a federal law.

Last edited by KehoeAutomotive; Jan 18, 2004 at 05:20 PM.
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Old Jan 18, 2004 | 07:11 PM
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Only Mazda model I know of that warrants free seat belt replacement on the 2nd gens with automatic/power shoulder belts.

So let up know what you find out, don't think they are going to warranty a faded seat belt.


John
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Old Jan 19, 2004 | 10:29 AM
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I did not think that a faded seat belt would be under warranty but if it was torn or ripped would it be.

On a car as old as mine I'm sure there is no warranty but on others newer there might be.

Aby suggestion on how to dye it?

What is it made

out of?


Thomas
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Old Jan 19, 2004 | 10:39 AM
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the dye will transfer to your clothes
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Old Jan 19, 2004 | 10:42 AM
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I know I can buy a harness or such but I have never seen aftermarket retractable seat belts that one can buy new.

And remember I need Front & Rear Seat Belts Too. I guess it may be a trip to the junkyard for me.

What would dye it that would not transfer to my clothes?

Anyone ever done this before??
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Old Jan 19, 2004 | 12:11 PM
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Well i had just considered that vynil spray dye they use to change the color of dashes and stuff. that shouldn't give you any tranfer.
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Old Jan 19, 2004 | 12:37 PM
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Get one from a wrecker
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Old Jan 19, 2004 | 05:59 PM
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if i'm not mistaken, Seat belts are warrantied (for function) for the life of the car as per Federal Law.
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Old Jan 19, 2004 | 07:12 PM
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Yeah, if they still physically work, the dealer aint gonna do **** about it. Its YOUR problem not theirs.
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Old Jan 19, 2004 | 08:46 PM
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why dont u jsut tear the seat belts with a razor blade and make it seem like its been abused..

then maybe u can get it fixed for free
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Old Jan 19, 2004 | 08:49 PM
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or just start yankin on it. Put on the e brake, take hte belt out all the way and hook it on a lawnmower or quad and give it a few good jerks until somethign happens. then just say u hit ur brakes hard to miss another car and this happened. Then itl look realistic
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Old Jan 19, 2004 | 11:14 PM
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Ummmmm....


LOL!! Thanks for the useful suggestions. I'll try the vinyal spray.

Don't think I'll destroy my seat belts though. I'm sure that Mazda will not support the seat belts for our car anymore. Federal Law or not.

Besides, I would not want to rip Mazda off.
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