DIY: Schroth Ralleye4 Harness install

[bigjae1976]

Do KNOW that Schroth approves these harnesses in conjunction with a particular seat. To my knowledge, Schroth has not produced a harness that is tested and DOT approved for use with the E9X M3 OEM seats. Do this at your own risk.

My thinking is that I'd rather that the risk using a seat that is not fundamentally different from the E46 this harness was designed for. That's a trade off that I will make at this point vrs driving with the OEM lap belts which just don't cut it. Even if you pretension the belt, my mind would focus on bracing myself vs concentrating on keeping the pavement under the car.

1. Take out the back seat. If you need directions on how to do this, just close internet explorer and take it to a professional.

2. Take out front seat. First, disconnect the battery...not necessary. Just don't turn the ignition on, you'll get an airbag light. Easy...4 T50 bolts. There is a connector underneath, just lift the black tab on the yellow connector. Insert a small screwdriver under the tab on the white connector...





3. Remove cover from outboard seat belt anchor. You need to be a man. Take a prybar and stick in the back like this...



4. Don't pry but twist the pry bar. You will hear a distinct snapping sound. That is normal for BMW interiors, they are well put together. This is what the little bugger looks like from the back.





5. Remove this bolt.





6. Get your harness, clip your lap belt together and lay the shoulder straps over the head rest...make sure nothing is twisted. Otherwise, you'll be repeating all of these steps

7. Install the outboard front anchor. You will need to bend the anchor outward, otherwise it will dig into the bottom of your side bolster unless you drive with the seat laid flat...like they do in da hood. I just laid the seat back flat, installed the anchor and pulled the strap to bend it.



8. Install the inboard front anchor. Remove the T50 bolt holding the belt tensioner.



9. The bolt does not fit in the hole in the harness anchor. I used a step bit to bore it out to fit. Doesn't take much. Replace the bolt.





10. The hard part is done. Reinstall the seat...x3 check that the shoulder straps and lap belt isn't twisted.

11. Install the rear strap...not hard. Again, T50 bolts. Replace the rear seat. Bend the achors as needed.



12. Done.

[bigjae1976]

How to stow your harnesses. My video may lack clear visual instructions...let me know if you can't figure it out.

[adc]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

How to stow your harnesses

Thanks for the post, very helpful.

Couldn't tell from your video how you stored the rear straps - would you mind terribly sharing your experience there? (like, do they fit under the seat?)

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by adc

Thanks for the post, very helpful.

Couldn't tell from your video how you stored the rear straps - would you mind terribly sharing your experience there? (like, do they fit under the seat?)

You can stow them under the seat...I just leave them there...keeps the kids busy.

[von_zoom]

Thanks. Very simular to my 525 belts.
vz

[RayC]

Hmm...didn't know how to take off that plastic...gonna have to give it another try.

[bigjae1976]

Just make sure you pry from the back of the seat. Otherwise there is a tab on the front that you'll snap.

[TX335]

How do you deal with the seat belt warning that will come up without the OEM 3 point being buckled? Do you just ignore it?

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by TX335

How do you deal with the seat belt warning that will come up without the OEM 3 point being buckled? Do you just ignore it?

I tried to ignore it...didn't work. I'm running solo in most cases so I just plug the pass belt into the drivers side. If you have an instructor...the beeping will eventually stop. I guess your could try to see if the rear center belt in an e90 can reach.

[adc]

Try one of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-M-Emblem...#ht_4193wt_972

[THE TECH]

For the harnesses to work properly, I believe that you'll need a harness bar at a minimum to position the belts at the right spot. From what I recall, they aren't supposed to go at such a steep angle after they leave the top portion of the driver's seat. Please correct me if I'm wrong though.

I do like this install MUCH better than the other one posted on here.

[TAAXED]

I THINK this is designed to work without a harness bar right? I can't remember exactly what they claim but I have the exact same harness setup in my car right now. I've used it once on the track and it worked extremely well.

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by TAAXED

I THINK this is designed to work without a harness bar right? I can't remember exactly what they claim but I have the exact same harness setup in my car right now. I've used it once on the track and it worked extremely well.

That's out the window since bigjae states that the setup is not made to work with the e9x seats.

[bigjae1976]

I don't imagine the actual E9X production harnesses being much different. I hope the tailstrap is longer. In the pic, the tail strap is adjusted to max length. So these might not work as well if you have short legs and a beer belly or you drive with your chest against the steering wheel.

The ralleye4s aren't vehicle specific like the quick fits either. Schroth advertises that these 4pts have antisumarine technology (ASM)...whatever that is.

After using these for 2 events, I feel the improvement far outweigh the potential risks. Your not beat up and worn out from trying to keep yourself in the seat.

[TAAXED]

^ Yeah I was referring to their ASM technology...I guess we take a risk either way on-track, it's up to you to decide what's more important to you.

[RayC]

Originally Posted by adc

Try one of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-M-Emblem...#ht_4193wt_972

That's very nice...I have some generic version and I think I'll swap it out.

Good find!

[bigjae1976]

Just to revisit this...you should read the directions before installing and using these harnesses.

When you adjust the harnesses, you have to tighten the lap belt first so it is tight and goes over your hips and the buckle is low in your gut. THEN tighten the shoulder straps. The buckle should still be low in your gut. Its usually right on my waist line. For those old fashioned people...below your belly button. If you have the buckle higher than that, its no good. First, it defeats the anti-submarine technology. Second, you'll look like a dork and people will laugh at you.

The schroth instructions shows pictures of how the harness should look.

[Purplem3pursuit]

I didn't see any discussion of E92 vs E90 seats... I have been looking around and haven't found anything but did check RealOEM and the part numbers for the frames were different. Can anyone confirm that the mounting configuration used for the E90 is applicable to the E92 (specifically the seatbelt... E92 has the slide rail on the floor)? I would assume the frame construction is roughly the same but does the seatbelt bolt exist on the E92 seat?

[bigjae1976]

On an E92, you'll need to use the bolt that holds the bar which the OEM belt mounts to.
Its on the rear floor I believe. You'll just need to bend the bracket up a little.

[Purplem3pursuit]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

On an E92, you'll need to use the bolt that holds the bar which the OEM belt mounts to.
Its on the rear floor I believe. You'll just need to bend the bracket up a little.

Ya that's what I was trying to avoid... Didn't want to deform the bracket anymore than I needed to..

[bigjae1976]

It's meant to be bent a little. Mine are. Just can't keep bending it back and forth.

[Purplem3pursuit]

I went ahead and took the liberty of pulling the side of the seat to see if there was the possibility of being a bolt for mounting the harness.. No dice... we Have to stick to the floor mount...