We could test the ability of aftermarket front seat covers to allow side airbag deployment. This would require the sacrifice of a new aftermarket seat cover. That's a small price to know if we can safely use these covers, allowing restoration of our ratty seats while maintaining our safety.
I propose we take up a collection, spreading the cost of this test among us since we all stand to benefit from the results.
Then we need someone to run the test. I lack the time and safe place to detonate a seat, but I could source a seat from a junkyard. Labor would be required to strip and recover the seat. For the test, the seat would need to be properly secured to the ground, an airbag trigger wire run for activation from a safe distance, and one or more cameras to film the event. My Android phone can do slow motion video, so that could help.
Who's interested in this test? Who's going to convince me to actually do it.
Test aftermarket front seat covers with airbag deployment
- FireFox31
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Test aftermarket front seat covers with airbag deployment
FireFox31
Blue 2000 V70 NA manual, "the V70" - died, reborn, totaled, donated, stripped
Green 2000 V70 NA automatic, "the G70" - awaiting 2nd rehab
Black 2000 V70 NA automatic, "Geronimo" - rescued, rehabilitating
Blue 1998 V70 T5 manual, "the T5M" - awaiting rehab
Blue 2000 V70 NA manual, "the V70" - died, reborn, totaled, donated, stripped
Green 2000 V70 NA automatic, "the G70" - awaiting 2nd rehab
Black 2000 V70 NA automatic, "Geronimo" - rescued, rehabilitating
Blue 1998 V70 T5 manual, "the T5M" - awaiting rehab
- matthew1
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I'll throw in $20 toward this.
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1998 V70, no dash lights on
1997 850 T5 [gone] w/ MSD ignition coil, Hallman manual boost controller, injectors, R bumper, OMP strut brace
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Also -> Amazon link. Click that when you go to buy something on Amazon and MVS gets a cut!
1998 V70, no dash lights on
1997 850 T5 [gone] w/ MSD ignition coil, Hallman manual boost controller, injectors, R bumper, OMP strut brace
2004 V70 R [gone]
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- wizechatmgr
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I bet we can find one of those slo-mo channel folks on YouTube to do a 10,000 fps video of the event at no charge provided we got everything together for them. I think I know someone that may have a seat or so that could be sacrificed in the name of science.
The problem is if the aftermarket isn't being designed and built for the side deployment in mind, if not, then production variations could mean some are useful for the purpose and others could possibly not be -- possibly becoming more rather than less of a hazard.
The problem is if the aftermarket isn't being designed and built for the side deployment in mind, if not, then production variations could mean some are useful for the purpose and others could possibly not be -- possibly becoming more rather than less of a hazard.
Wisdom requires knowledge as a prerequisite, but knowledge can be developed due to a lack of wisdom.
In order to learn how to fix something, you must first learn how to break it.
1999 V70 XC AWD 2.4 T -- ~231k miles
1998 V70 2.4 NA -- ~184k miles
In order to learn how to fix something, you must first learn how to break it.
1999 V70 XC AWD 2.4 T -- ~231k miles
1998 V70 2.4 NA -- ~184k miles
- abscate
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I’ve got a 99 seat ready for testing. I need to do a quick calculation to make sure we don’t burn the atmosphere off the Earth.
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
- volvolugnut
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Unfortunately, wizechatmgr is right that unless there is some assurance the aftermarket seat materials and manufacturing are consistent, the test would not give the assurance wanted that all seat covers would be safe.
This was a great idea for a test, but a predicable product is needed.
volvolugnut
This was a great idea for a test, but a predicable product is needed.
volvolugnut
The Fleet:
Volvo: 2001 V70 T5, 1986 244DL, 1983 245DL, 1975 245DL, 1959 PV544, multiple Volvo parts cars.
Mercedes: 2001 E320, 1973 280, 1974 280C, 1989 300E, 1988 300TE, 1979 300TD, parts cars.
2009 Smart Passion
Ford: 1977 F350, 1964 F150 (2), 1938 Tudor Sedan
Farmall tractors: 1956 400 Diesel, 1946 A
And others.
Volvo: 2001 V70 T5, 1986 244DL, 1983 245DL, 1975 245DL, 1959 PV544, multiple Volvo parts cars.
Mercedes: 2001 E320, 1973 280, 1974 280C, 1989 300E, 1988 300TE, 1979 300TD, parts cars.
2009 Smart Passion
Ford: 1977 F350, 1964 F150 (2), 1938 Tudor Sedan
Farmall tractors: 1956 400 Diesel, 1946 A
And others.
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I have seen the force thst these things go off. I doubt any stitching is going to survive it. I have some old impact 98 style too, for enhanced testing. Hold my beer
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
- volvolugnut
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Let me think about this. Violent whipping with a leather seat cover or a car crash without protection?
Another beer please.
volvolugnut
Another beer please.
volvolugnut
The Fleet:
Volvo: 2001 V70 T5, 1986 244DL, 1983 245DL, 1975 245DL, 1959 PV544, multiple Volvo parts cars.
Mercedes: 2001 E320, 1973 280, 1974 280C, 1989 300E, 1988 300TE, 1979 300TD, parts cars.
2009 Smart Passion
Ford: 1977 F350, 1964 F150 (2), 1938 Tudor Sedan
Farmall tractors: 1956 400 Diesel, 1946 A
And others.
Volvo: 2001 V70 T5, 1986 244DL, 1983 245DL, 1975 245DL, 1959 PV544, multiple Volvo parts cars.
Mercedes: 2001 E320, 1973 280, 1974 280C, 1989 300E, 1988 300TE, 1979 300TD, parts cars.
2009 Smart Passion
Ford: 1977 F350, 1964 F150 (2), 1938 Tudor Sedan
Farmall tractors: 1956 400 Diesel, 1946 A
And others.
-
850oldschool
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Did any of you guys even watch the video I posted of Robert detonating one of those? That thing went off like a bomb. No combination of leather and thread is going to hold that thing back.
- abscate
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From 2:00 on that feels like some of my car repairs this year
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
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