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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!ihlpl!chrise
From: chrise@ihlpl.UUCP (Chris Edmonds)
Newsgroups: net.auto.tech
Subject: Re: Shoulder Belt Retractor Failure - How Do I Fix It?
Message-ID: <666@ihlpl.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 4-Mar-86 13:07:30 EST
Article-I.D.: ihlpl.666
Posted: Tue Mar  4 13:07:30 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 5-Mar-86 05:35:10 EST
References: <1664@hound.UUCP> <1981@hao.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 18

> car body.  I don't know if this is the case in your car.  The dealer
> told me that it's the only way to get it fixed, because of some DOT
> law about seat belt repairs.  He may've been B.S.ing me, I don't know.

It ain't BS!  I talked to a legal beagle at the Nat Highway Trans Safety
Board a couple of years ago when my car was badly damaged.   Read your owners
manual!  It says if it isn't working right or has been used in a serious
accident to replace it.   The NHTSA explained it quite simply....you
see there is NO WAY OF NON-DESTRUTIVELY TESTING YOUR SEAT BELTS ABILITY
TO HOLD YOU IN PLACE DURING AN ACCIDENT.   So DOT certifies that the 
manufacturers can make good belts then tells you to replace it if damaged.

I had to fight my insurance company to get them to cover it.  Their 
approach is equally simple...it cheaper to pay for one or two accidents
where the seat belts don't work than it is to put new belts in every
badly wrecked and rebuilt car.   Its your life...and its a free country...

Chris Edmonds @ AT&T Something-or-Other, Naperville, IL ...!ihnp4!ihlpl!chrise