Seat belt not retracting
Discussion
As in the thread mentioned, I bought a Securon 500/30 belt to replace my broken passenger one. It was only £28 from ebay. The only problem was the bolt holding the bottom bracket. It screws into the outrigger through the body and was very hard to shift. I entrusted it to a garage in the end in case it sheared but it didn't.
When I took it out the box, the mechanism would lock when you pulled on the belt if the reel was in any position other than completely horizontal. As it is supposed to I presume. However, it has been mounted in the car at an angle of about 15 degrees so that the belt run up the top bracket is smooth, and it works fine somehow.
Don't go TOO cheap, there are sellers in Jersey offering 3 point belts for even less but they don't seem to be of a recognisable safety standard.
When I took it out the box, the mechanism would lock when you pulled on the belt if the reel was in any position other than completely horizontal. As it is supposed to I presume. However, it has been mounted in the car at an angle of about 15 degrees so that the belt run up the top bracket is smooth, and it works fine somehow.
Don't go TOO cheap, there are sellers in Jersey offering 3 point belts for even less but they don't seem to be of a recognisable safety standard.
Tangoed said:
Just replace them with new ones, from memory about £45.00 each
Nearer £45 a pair with a bit of shopping around
When I changed one of mine The bolt into the chassis sheared so I had to have it drilled out and helicoiled.when fitting the new one I found that the space to site it was fairly restricted as mentioned above
I then decided to keep the old fixing on the old belt with the webbing cut off and drilled a hole in it to take the fixing bolt of the new one. I then bolted the original bracket back and then bolted the new bracket to the old bracket.This gives a lot more room for the belt to retract etc. You could remove the webbing form the existing belt with a sharp knife and drill a hole in situ for the new one so you have two brackets bolted together. This would save you chancing the bolt shearing and having more room for the new belt.
This is what I will do if the drivers side needs changing. I used the Securon Pn 500/30 which is exactly the same
I then decided to keep the old fixing on the old belt with the webbing cut off and drilled a hole in it to take the fixing bolt of the new one. I then bolted the original bracket back and then bolted the new bracket to the old bracket.This gives a lot more room for the belt to retract etc. You could remove the webbing form the existing belt with a sharp knife and drill a hole in situ for the new one so you have two brackets bolted together. This would save you chancing the bolt shearing and having more room for the new belt.
This is what I will do if the drivers side needs changing. I used the Securon Pn 500/30 which is exactly the same
Edited by WOO5IE on Sunday 6th November 17:15
I had problems with the belts not retracting many years ago and a very helpful PHer told me that the reel container has to be at the right angle. If it has swivelled a bit, it can upset the lock mechanism that locks when you pull it out fast (like in a crash) and prevent it retracting.
I think the reel must not be tipped to the OS or NS but be straight up.
May not help but worth a go as it's a very easy fix if it is that.
I think the reel must not be tipped to the OS or NS but be straight up.
May not help but worth a go as it's a very easy fix if it is that.
I thought it had to be vertical but my replacement has been mounted at about a 15 degree angle and works fine. Runs out smoothly unless you pull sharply when it locks, as it should:
In fact, looking at the driver's side, the original is mounted slightly off horizontal too. It makes the belt run to the top mount correct.
In fact, looking at the driver's side, the original is mounted slightly off horizontal too. It makes the belt run to the top mount correct.
Mine don't retract either, but the drum unit is working fine. The issue with mine seems to be that the loop on top of the wheel arch that the shoulder strap runs through is set quite far back, so the entire run of the belt from the loop to the drum is sitting on and rubbing across the carpet on the wheel arch.
I've got no idea how you could sort it without weakening the top belt mounting point. (By making an extension to the loop for example).
I've got no idea how you could sort it without weakening the top belt mounting point. (By making an extension to the loop for example).
PhilH42 said:
It may be that its knackered but a spray of wd40 on the spring through the casing and cleaning/ lubricating the belt should help.
The alignment is important as the belt can snag on the carpet sometimes.
I'd be inclined to do the above first before thinking of changing.
Done all of the above to no avail, I know how tempremental they are when not positioned correctly, time for a refibThe alignment is important as the belt can snag on the carpet sometimes.
I'd be inclined to do the above first before thinking of changing.
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