For all of you with sticking / slow retracting seatbelts.
Discussion
Heya,
Sticking / slow to retract seatbelts. I know this has been covered here before but I thought I'd share my findings.
I was frustrated by my slowly retracting belt so I removed a bit of carpet behind the belt mechanism so that the coiled up belt no longer rubs on it. This worked to a point but lead to another discovery. The primary point of friction the prevents the belt from retracting, at least on my car, is the anchor point that's at shoulder level - the bit the belt passes through. If I list the belt so it passes vertically through this anchor, it retracts at speed. As soon as I drape the belt down, the friction overcomes the retraction force for the last 18 inches. It is better with the little patch of carpet removed but it's not good enough. Argh.
What I really need is a stronger retraction spring in the seatbelt mechanism.
While I'm confident I could disassemble the mechanism and replace this - it's a very simple system, after all, but I don't know what I don't know and I can't risk altering the function of a seatbelt, designed to save my life, by people who know what I don't.
What do you think? Age-related? Is the spring just tired? Will a new seatbelt retract with more vigour?
Mark
Sticking / slow to retract seatbelts. I know this has been covered here before but I thought I'd share my findings.
I was frustrated by my slowly retracting belt so I removed a bit of carpet behind the belt mechanism so that the coiled up belt no longer rubs on it. This worked to a point but lead to another discovery. The primary point of friction the prevents the belt from retracting, at least on my car, is the anchor point that's at shoulder level - the bit the belt passes through. If I list the belt so it passes vertically through this anchor, it retracts at speed. As soon as I drape the belt down, the friction overcomes the retraction force for the last 18 inches. It is better with the little patch of carpet removed but it's not good enough. Argh.
What I really need is a stronger retraction spring in the seatbelt mechanism.
While I'm confident I could disassemble the mechanism and replace this - it's a very simple system, after all, but I don't know what I don't know and I can't risk altering the function of a seatbelt, designed to save my life, by people who know what I don't.
What do you think? Age-related? Is the spring just tired? Will a new seatbelt retract with more vigour?
Mark
Yes, I've fitted the extenders and it serves two jobs/benefits - pulls the retracting belt away from the carpet at shoulder height and also further away from the roof in folded down position. Win win.
I also bought the belt guides that fit to the headrests... a warning that after multiple people on here advised it would, and the seller said categorically they won't, they are starting to fluff up the edges of my belts. Rather cross and have removed them!!!!!
I also bought the belt guides that fit to the headrests... a warning that after multiple people on here advised it would, and the seller said categorically they won't, they are starting to fluff up the edges of my belts. Rather cross and have removed them!!!!!
I have both the extenders & guides. I started to fluff up the edge of the seat belt.
Now Miss Daisy did not have a mark on hers. I watched her put her belt on using both hands.
So i was being ham fisted, took a second longer & no longer a problem.
Photo attached showing the guide in use. Yes not the same for every one due to height, width etc.
Now Miss Daisy did not have a mark on hers. I watched her put her belt on using both hands.
So i was being ham fisted, took a second longer & no longer a problem.
Photo attached showing the guide in use. Yes not the same for every one due to height, width etc.
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