sloppy seatbelts

[marks914]

Anyone have an idea of how to get their retractable seatbelts to retract better? I re-wound the springs and they are still not very happy about retracting.
Thanks
mark

72 914 5.0L

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Pull them all the way out, and hold them with a large "binder clip" from an office supply store. Then wash the fabric part of the belt with a gentle detergent, and dry. That should help some.

Cleaning up and re-lubing the ratchet and pawl mechanism may help as well.

--DD

[John Rogers]

If you can find some 924 belts, they will work if you can't clean them or find new ones.

[What's my name]

I did this just last week-
Pull the belt out all theway, wash with mild soapy water. Blow dry, then spray liberally with scothgaurd fabric protector. My belts were obviously more "stretched" on the outside edge. When the belt was out straight, it wrinkled along the stretched side and stayed tight along the unstretched side. After they were wet, the difference was less. I held it out as tightly as possible and used a blow dryer to reduce this "curving" tendancy, then hosed on the scotchguard on both sides. I left the belts pulled out (clipped at the reel) overnight while they dried.

[anthony]

And how did it come out?

I found some new seatbelts on eBay for $90 and replaced the ones that came with the car.

[yousaidpoo]

if you have to get replacements, 944 belts will work with very little modification, plus they are easier to find than 924 belts. all you need to do to a 944 belt is take a die grinder/dremmel tool or even a file and shave about 1/16" off the stud on the back of the reel that holds it in place on the firewall. you will also need to switch your buckle with the 944 buckle, all that takes is a little sewing. i did it to mine, and they snap right back, and also lock up like they are supposed to

[SGB]

The scotchguard trick works great on mine. Its a tip swiped out of the old AA 101 tips book. Sometimes that guy was right...