Help - retractable seat belt won't uncoil.

[wayner]

Any tricks to making retractable seat belts work?

I just received two belts (I think from a 964). When I pull, the belt does not uncoil. It just stays on the roll and locks.

(I haven't installed them yet).

Thanks

[emac]

When you hold them at a angle they lock. That's how they work. I would bet they are just fine.
Ernie 81sc

[rocket534]

They need to be bolted in or at least clamped to a rigid surface for the release to function,,then you have to just very gently pull on the belt with great finesse. Sometimes if the belt is fully retracted and all rolled up it will be difficult at first..
I too bet they are fine.

[georgew123]

Take the cover off of the coil mechanism (carefully), then you can see how they actually work. Mine had the same problem before I installed them and after the 2 minutes of removing the plastic cover, I now FULLY understand how they work.

[wayner]

Your kidding about taking them apart right?

That's a cruel joke to play on someone unless you have a hidden camera to capture their expression when that jack-in-the-box explodes in their face

I'll try bolting them in first and see if they work in that position.
Thanks everyone.

[georgew123]

No, I was serious. Don't "unspring" them... Just remove the black cover (assuming yours are similar to mine). It only covers the locking mechanism, which is a small steel ball in a cup. When level, the ball is at rest in the bottom of the cup. When tilted the ball is off-center and causes the stopper to prevent the belt from being pulled out. Either way, I am sure yours will work once installed and level.

[notmytarga]

Don't take it ALL the way apart. I did years ago in an effort to improve the retract mechanism - not much better after hours of winding the spring etc.

The belt locks when pulled quickly - like in a rapid deceleration accident....

It also locks when G forces are applied strong enough in any direction - like in turning, accelerating or stopping. It does this via a inertial pendulum activated brake. The pendulum must be level to not jam the reel. Even a few degrees from teh stock position will result in them locking up - think hills etc.

Try bolting them in and check the function.

[wayner]

I peeked under the cover and saw an angry spring monster trying to get out at me. CLOSE IT UP AGAIN...CLOSE IT UP AGAIN...

[porterdog]

Originally Posted by notmytarga

Don't take it ALL the way apart. I did years ago in an effort to improve the retract mechanism - not much better after hours of winding the spring etc.

The belt locks when pulled quickly - like in a rapid deceleration accident....

It also locks when G forces are applied strong enough in any direction - like in turning, accelerating or stopping. It does this via a inertial pendulum activated brake. The pendulum must be level to not jam the reel. Even a few degrees from teh stock position will result in them locking up - think hills etc.

Try bolting them in and check the function.

This. I worked in the industry for several years; retractor mechanisms are designed to be installed in a very particular orientation as there are legislative requirements for how far the retractor can tilt or how much acceleration needs to be present for it to lock.

[PacificP]

hold the seat belt roll in the the orientation it will be bolted in and the pull the belt slowly, the mechanism has a weight and pin that releases the belt when pulled slowly only in the upright position.

[80-911SC]

defiantly don't open ... good way to get hurt ...

[Reiver]

hold them in the way they would mount in the vehicle and just keep pulling/releasing...it will eventually give in.