DIY Removing Rip Stop from OEM Seat Belt on a NA Mazda Miata

If you have installed an aftermarket Steering wheel, or you are planning to do so, you need to READ THIS!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by evazerone

Hey I saw you mentioned "You won't hit the steering wheel as long as you cut the rip-stop out of the seat belt straps. Or use JDM seatbelts."

I tried to Google it, couldn't find anything other than another one of your posts... what is the rip-stop portion you're referring to? I'd appreciate the info!

Thanks.

~William

---

Because the USDM NA Mazda Miata has airbags, we also have stitched part in the belts called a "rip-stop". This is an area of the seat belt which on a crash or heavy impact is designed to work WITH the OEM Airbags Safety Restraint System.
Basically what it does is rips upon impact to slow your forward motion into the Airbag as it deploys simultaneously.

If you keep your airbags then do nothing, you should be fine.

HOWEVER, If you have installed a non-airbag steering wheel, AKA aftermarket steering wheel, like MOMO Sparco, Nardi, etc, and have not removed the ripstop then you will get an additional 12" inches of forward travel right into your fancy new steering wheel with your face! :fp:

The other option is either a pair of JDM seat belts or a racing harness that is DOT approved.

Let me be clear in saying this should be done at your own risk, and for off road use only, I, (we) the forum, its members, staff, take no responsibility for you, your passenger, or your Miata in anything you do to modify your Miata. (See Disclaimer below)


Disclaimer – Off Road Use Only Modifications

Many things you read about on MazdaRoadster.net are for off-road use only. All modifications and installations are at your own risk. MazdaRoadster.net and its members hold no responsibility either implied or otherwise for safety, mechanical, electrical or other failure when using any aftermarket performance products read about on this forum. Modifications for off-road use only are illegal in many states and provinces and are intended for racing vehicles which may never be used on a public road.

By reading about and preforming any aftermarket performance modification, the person performing said modification takes full responsibility for any use, and/or misuse of the modification and agrees that MazdaRoadster.net and it's members hold no responsibility for any consequences, legal, or other, of such use and/or misuse.

Here is a photo of the USDM Spec Seatbelt


I am pointing to the Rip Stop


https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5594/...31cdd3df_b.jpg



Disclaimer – Off Road Use Only Modifications

Many things you read about on MazdaRoadster.net are for off-road use only. All modifications and installations are at your own risk. MazdaRoadster.net and its members hold no responsibility either implied or otherwise for safety, mechanical, electrical or other failure when using any aftermarket performance products read about on this forum. Modifications for off-road use only are illegal in many states and provinces and are intended for racing vehicles which may never be used on a public road.


By reading about and preforming any aftermarket performance modification, the person performing said modification takes full responsibility for any use, and/or misuse of the modification and agrees that MazdaRoadster.net and it's members hold no responsibility for any consequences, legal, or other, of such use and/or misuse.

Here you can bend this section back and look inside and see a folded up seat belt (about 12 inches worth)


https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3838/...3c469e13_h.jpg



Disclaimer – Off Road Use Only Modifications

Many things you read about on MazdaRoadster.net are for off-road use only. All modifications and installations are at your own risk. MazdaRoadster.net and its members hold no responsibility either implied or otherwise for safety, mechanical, electrical or other failure when using any aftermarket performance products read about on this forum. Modifications for off-road use only are illegal in many states and provinces and are intended for racing vehicles which may never be used on a public road.


By reading about and preforming any aftermarket performance modification, the person performing said modification takes full responsibility for any use, and/or misuse of the modification and agrees that MazdaRoadster.net and it's members hold no responsibility for any consequences, legal, or other, of such use and/or misuse.

While I did not want to cut those nice looking red 93-LE seat belts, I did have a black pair from my 96 Miata that I performed this surgery on.

(when I did the swap to red interior I installed red JDM seat belts, now sold off with that Miata)


Look close and you can see the extra 12 inches, I was able to cut out (or release) from the rip stop with an exacto knife (this takes about 30 minutes per side)

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2935/...f0e4e156_c.jpg


Disclaimer – Off Road Use Only Modifications

Many things you read about on MazdaRoadster.net are for off-road use only. All modifications and installations are at your own risk. MazdaRoadster.net and its members hold no responsibility either implied or otherwise for safety, mechanical, electrical or other failure when using any aftermarket performance products read about on this forum. Modifications for off-road use only are illegal in many states and provinces and are intended for racing vehicles which may never be used on a public road.


By reading about and preforming any aftermarket performance modification, the person performing said modification takes full responsibility for any use, and/or misuse of the modification and agrees that MazdaRoadster.net and it's members hold no responsibility for any consequences, legal, or other, of such use and/or misuse.

Again I cannot tell you to do this as a harness is much safer, however if you have not carefully cut out the rip stop and have an aftermarket steering wheel, you WILL smash your face the next time you are in a car accident. :fp:


I hope that helps answer any questions about the USDM rip stop on the early Gen Miatas when installing an aftermarket steering wheel. :bow:


Disclaimer – Off Road Use Only Modifications

Many things you read about on MazdaRoadster.net are for off-road use only. All modifications and installations are at your own risk. MazdaRoadster.net and its members hold no responsibility either implied or otherwise for safety, mechanical, electrical or other failure when using any aftermarket performance products read about on this forum. Modifications for off-road use only are illegal in many states and provinces and are intended for racing vehicles which may never be used on a public road.


By reading about and preforming any aftermarket performance modification, the person performing said modification takes full responsibility for any use, and/or misuse of the modification and agrees that MazdaRoadster.net and it's members hold no responsibility for any consequences, legal, or other, of such use and/or misuse.

Any questions just ask, happy to help you guys out!!! :bow:

Same for an NB?

Edit: No! NB1 and NB2 use different methodologies but neither have the folded belt that NAs do in markets that use airbags.

I use JDM seatbelts............

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ozbrock

Same for an NB?

---

Wait a second. Doesnt the NB have a completely redesigned seatbelt system? Don't they have a crush reel that under some inordinate amount of pressure bends the internals and physically locks the reels, still giving it some built in give before the actual lock?

My understanding was if you had an nb and wanted an aftermarket wheel with no airbag, you needed to swap in an na belt and remove the extra stitching.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Andy

Wait a second. Doesnt the NB have a completely redesigned seatbelt system? Don't they have a crush reel that under some inordinate amount of pressure bends the internals and physically locks the reels, still giving it some built in give before the actual lock?

My understanding was if you had an nb and wanted an aftermarket wheel with no airbag, you needed to swap in an na belt and remove the extra stitching.

---

Yes, and I'm browsing through these threads too fast and I should slow down when it's something this important. My apologies.

The NB2 has the explosive pretensioner that is deployed when the airbag does. The NB1 uses a locking spool instead. Neither NB1 nor NB2 have the stitched, giveway belt that the airbag-equipped NAs do.

All the NB's that I have bought wrecked, the seat belts were useless and locked........

If you have an NB and want to remove the airbag, buy an NA belt and remove the stitching.

Thank you!!! I'm glad you posted up this info Phatmiata! I had no idea what was under that little sock covering.

so basically it's just a portion of the seat belt that's been folded and held in place by that "sock" thing and is designed to rip upon an impact, correct? i was kinda confused on what's going on here.

I figured the car's with airbags had this in place, but I thought the mechanism gave some give before locking. When I crashed my car a few years ago I had the Nardi installed and I never heard of this modification. My seat belt somehow kept me in place. So I'm guessing it wasn't that hard of a hit. lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by iKhanh

so basically it's just a portion of the seat belt that's been folded and held in place by that "sock" thing and is designed to rip upon an impact, correct? i was kinda confused on what's going on here.

---

Exactly, they are folded and sewn in place, then on impact it rips open and another 12 inches of belt slows your impact into the airbag being deployed, but if no airbag you just eat steering wheel, ugh

Remember when cars had no seatbelts or at least came with just lap belts?

Never mind. That's like asking if anyone remembers when AOL swamped our physical mailboxes with free, "sign up" CDs.

Looks like I need to do this for my seat belt! Good lord! Or I'm gonna have a wheel in my face some day. Thanks Randy. I have never removed that seat belt mechanism, hope its easy.

You don't need to remove the seatbelt mechanism.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

Remember when cars had no seatbelts or at least came with just lap belts?

Never mind. That's like asking if anyone remembers when AOL swamped our physical mailboxes with free, "sign up" CDs.

---

After I was born I was taken home from the hospital on my mom's lap in the front seat of an early 60s Beetle. Super safe!

Good lord, I thought I was the only one! Someone t-boned that car the very next week.

Ok I just finished removing the rip stop section, now I am faced with another problem. The plastic nub that keeps the belt latch from going passed a certain point is now making it so that when I buckle up, the section around the waist is now not snug. I guess the only was to solve this problem is to remove that plastic nub, any other suggestions? Thanks.

Edit: Well I just went ahead and removed that plastic nub and now it's fine, the belt latch now sits on the rip stop section that I left on the belt strap. I may look into a harness in the mean time, thanks for saving my life Randy.

I removed the plastic nub. I left the cloth sleeve that covers the extended portion of belt still on there. The belt is now fully extended but the cloth sleeve acts as a stopper for my male portion of the seatbelt clicking thing. It prevents it from falling all the way to the floor.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Andy

I removed the plastic nub. I left the cloth sleeve that covers the extended portion of belt still on there. The belt is now fully extended but the cloth sleeve acts as a stopper for my male portion of the seatbelt clicking thing. It prevents it from falling all the way to the floor.

---

Ditto what Andy said.

Thanks guys! Man I have been driving like this for about 8 years! I guess I'm lucky i didn't get into a bad accident.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Willywongka

Thanks guys! Man I have been driving like this for about 8 years! I guess I'm lucky i didn't get into a bad accident.

---

:shocked: 8 years !!!

Wow! Would have sucked to find out the hard way.

Wow what the ****! Time to put my harnesses in!

Got to do this sometime soon. Like what other people said would hate to find out the hard way

I just can't get myself to modify my 93LE seat belts. I think I should sell them and get some standard black belts. Oh, atank, wanna make a trade?

I wouldn't sell them. Just put them away and get a decent set of black.

Yeah, that's probably a better plan.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

I wouldn't sell them. Just put them away and get a decent set of black.

---

what he said, or get some red ones from Japan

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Martin

I just can't get myself to modify my 93LE seat belts. I think I should sell them and get some standard black belts. Oh, atank, wanna make a trade?

---

Yeah, I will send the black ones with the shorty...................

You rock!

Well I made a poor attempt at this today and cut my belt. So I stopped right there and said I need this untill I can find a replacement. Anyone know where I can purchase a drivers side belt for a 93 miata black. Without this ripstop in it. If not my second option is to just replace it with another one. Either way has got to be safer than what I have now.

I am guessing you need black???? I will check this weekend and see what I have:8):

Duct tape fixes everything.

How about having an upholsterer ran a criss-cross stitch over that fold (Rip Stop)? That should permanently sew it into place. Cheaper and safer resolve you think?

Yea I dont know yet what im gonna do I just want to get a replacement. It is black yes. And pm if you got one with a price. Its gonna be a pain in the ass to remove and install. Friggan roll bar and seats in the way.

get a replacement belt, check with the sponsors and members classifieds ads. Use an Xact-O blade and take your time!

I cut off that outer sleeve no problem and got to the point where it looks like a 4inch fold and has about 50+ stitches. I tried seperating and got about a 1/4 of the way down and blade slipped and cut the belt. No good now and dont think im willing to attempt that again so just gonna replace the belt. Atank gonna look in his pile of parts and see if he has a replacement.

I took pictures while my son Colin did the work. His young eyes can see little things better than my old eyes. Yeah, that's why I had him do the work ;)

http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/...psb1017c00.jpg


Start by cutting the bottom of the sleeve

http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/...ps54b51694.jpg

http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3641a7c8.jpg


So many stitches to remove!

http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/...psf62f8c18.jpg

Better get started

http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/...psf0dca3a9.jpg

Some progress

http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/...psae8c04a3.jpg

Oh noes!!

http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5bb55e24.jpg

And done

http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7dec50b0.jpg

http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/...ps95044b45.jpg


I kept reminding Colin to go slow and be careful. He did a great job :) Now to get the black belts in the car and put the red belts in storage.

So we finally got around to putting these in the car. And... they don't fit :(

Here's the red belt in the car
http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/...pseeewwrsw.jpg

Here the black belt trying to go in the car:
http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/...psevutjpm0.jpg

Here they are together:
http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/...psb16608ba.jpg

How much clearance do you need for the black belts to fit & operate Martin? I have some NA6 SB's in black, but you will have to start the process all over............

Only about 1/4" is needed.

Yes, I will take those NA6 belts off your hands :)

Why not buy new belts from Mazda? Not to kill a sale... it just seems wrong to not take the opportunity for fresh webbing.

Sorry, but I'm a cheap b@st@rd and new belts seem to be around $200 each.




(I know, what about safety and all that...)

NA6 and NA8 belts are different, and the belt receivers are different too !! So make sure you get the correct year for your Miata!

Can anyone explain how to remove the plastic trim panel covering the seatbelt tensioner on an NA6 Miata? I removed the two nipple-top type fasteners on which the top boot would attach, and I removed the door seal in which the trim panel tucks, but it still feels attached somehow. I don't know if it just has the pop-fasteners like the door cards, where you just pull to release them, or if they're actually bolted from beneath the wheel-well panel. I don't just want to pull on them and break them. Can anyone help?

Nevermind, I figured it out.

Bringing back from the dead. So, an NB seatbelt does not have the 12" extendo - but then what "does" it have? What does it do during a crash in comparison?

Edit: To clarify - the first page has the info, but it just speaks of the NB1 having a reel that breaks before it locks. I imagine this is a give of a few inches and not 12" like an unmodified NA belt?