Harness best before date

[spikety]

Morning All,

I've recently bought a k-series R300 from Caterham and am about to go on my first trackday. I've been looking over the car and have noticed that the Luke 4 point harnesses have a label stating they are OK until 2008. Can anyone advise whether this means I will have a problem at the track day, or whether they need changing anyway?

Thanks.

[David Long]

Provided they are in good condition with no damage, they will be OK for MOT purposes and therefore OK for trackdays. If you wish to race the car you'll need to change them.

[Steve-B]

you don't know how much the car has been in the Sun and the UV damage can be very hidden until you have a wreck.

for the amount of money a new set cost, is it worth it to find out?

[spikety]

Thanks both. I'll look into swapping them out.

[CharlesElliott]

The dates relate to MSA/FIA approval. If you were racing under an MSA (in the UK) sanctioned event, then you would have to replace them. But for trackdays, there is no issue - after all, your 3 point standard belt doesn't need replacing.

[Steve-B]

Sure Charles, but your bog-std in-boring-cars belts don't sit exposed to the elements for hours, days, weeks like they do in a se7en. I'll still say the same -- is it worth taking the chance?

CharlesElliott said:

The dates relate to MSA/FIA approval. If you were racing under an MSA (in the UK) sanctioned event, then you would have to replace them. But for trackdays, there is no issue - after all, your 3 point standard belt doesn't need replacing.

[sam919]

Steve-B said:

Sure Charles, but your bog-std in-boring-cars belts don't sit exposed to the elements for hours, days, weeks like they do in a se7en. I'll still say the same -- is it worth taking the chance?

CharlesElliott said:

The dates relate to MSA/FIA approval. If you were racing under an MSA (in the UK) sanctioned event, then you would have to replace them. But for trackdays, there is no issue - after all, your 3 point standard belt doesn't need replacing.

You need to get a garage or a hood then.

If a working at height harness can be used for 5 years (inspection before each use), then a caterhams harness twice that old shouldnt be of any concern. If the stitchings ok it has no tears?!, the buckle works fine then i wouldnt worry about it.

RE the racing......H and S overload, and another way of getting some more cash from the competitor!

[V7SLR]

I used to spend plenty of time rock climbing - as would be expected, we inspected and replaced any equipment at the first sign of fault. In my experience, unless degraded due to abrasion damage a nylon webbed safety harness/belt will give many many years of safe service - inspect the areas that can sustain wear, eg. around buckles etc, inspect the stitching and don't forget to also regularly check the mountings!

Stu.

[redmire]

My guess is, the reason a Harness has a limited life, is that some people would just keep using the harness, even if it was damaged....As long as it is in date!!

It protects them from themselves!..
Harsh but true!

[Epimetheus]

redmire said:

My guess is, the reason a Harness has a limited life, is that some people would just keep using the harness, even if it was damaged....As long as it is in date!!

Date is purely a racing thing - all racing safety equipment has an expiry date - helmets, suits, extinguishers . . ... and belts. The date ensures that safety equipment is monitored and replaced on a schedule. As long as the belts in question are not damaged, they will be fine (even if they would not be passed by a race scrutineer).