Seat belt retraction ‐ rebuild services?

[bonjo]

This is what I did to revive my seat belt operation:
Pull out the belt fully and inspect.
My the belt was in good condition, not cuts, shredding or any other damage.
I used mild detergent solution and a sponge to wipe both sides and repeated it using clean water.
LEt the belt dry fully. By then the retraction was very good.
I then sprayed the exposed belt only (& both sides) with silicon spray.
The operation became silky smooth and effortless

 

[Dave9]

Opening up a seat belt retractor spring cassette is not quite that simple. Well, doing it successfully, isn't that simple. Any dolt can open up a retractor, and have the spring fly out, so the retractor becomes land fill fodder. But it take experience and finesse to do it successfully.

My suggestion was not to disassemble the entire thing. You're suggesting it is so sealed that there's no way to get any lube in? What about drilling a hole then?

 

[BHopkins]

My suggestion was not to disassemble the entire thing. You're suggesting it is so sealed that there's no way to get any lube in? What about drilling a hole then?

The take-up spring is inside a molded plastic cover. IIRC, some of the competitors of the company I worked for, actually rivet on the spring covers? I have only dealt with a few of the competitor retractors. But our covers were held in place with three plastic push pins, that could be pushed out for removal of the cover. But, if not done with care, the very act of removing the cover can release the spring into a tangled mess that will surely startle you.

I guess you could drill a hole, or two or three, in the cover, and shoot in a few drops of light oil, then seal the holes back up with something like foil tape. But I'm skeptical on how successful this method would be at getting even distribution throughout the spring, and thinning all the caked grease.

The grease used on the springs is a very specific type of synthetic grease, and is not cheap. I recall our plant having to find a new source, after our old source went out of business. It was a very lengthy process to find and qualify the new grease. So I personally struggle with the idea of just shooting in some machine oil, hoping that it will be just the right viscosity for the future.

 

[Dave9]

^ Well if relubing it helps, then apparently the original grease wasn't "just the right viscosity for the future" ? I am doubting that it is that complicated, unless the grease has something other than petroleum base oil. A spray oil should have reasonable penetration, but I would extend the belt first, to minimize getting the oil on it for cosmetic reasons, assuming it is nylon or polyester so not harmed by oil otherwise.

 

[Sedin26]

Unbeknownst to many, if not most, seat belt webbing does have a finite service life, and the average age of vehicle ownership now means that encroachment beyond that term is more likely. In competition applications, the clock starts ticking from the date of manufacture.

As with tires, it's not a black/white, yes/no absolute situation, and usage conditions play a role, but by the book, seat belts are not lifetime parts, even if they're treated that way as a practical matter.

Especially if they've been involved in an accident, as "one time use" parts. Which makes that "retractor only" post-accident service offered above questionable, even without the hard sell nature of the site giving off an uncomfortable vibe.

Honda feels strongly enough about this to offer a lifetime warranty on the belts in their U.S. vehicles.

If they really felt strongly about it they would offer the same warranty in Canada. They do not seem to care at all up here.

 

[D60]

Subaru's seat belts of the '90s were so terrible they offered a LT warranty. I got the impression it was "voluntary" with the clear understanding that Big G would force them to replace the belts if they didn't "choose" to.

I got them to honor this as recently as ~8 years ago. My local dealer had NO idea but I confirmed with SOA and the dealer had no choice. In their defense, the dealer seemed legitimately uninformed and acted as though they'd move forward offering this now that they knew.

 

[Elkins45]

I remember the experience of rewinding the recoil start spring on an outboard motor. I imagine doing the same on a seatbelt would be just as frustrating.

Popping off the plastic cover and giving it a good shot of carb cleaner followed by a spritz of spray lube might be doable.

 

[CapitalTruck]

I put a new assembly in rear outboard seat of my sisters Cruz. Car booster seat never never let it fully retract so it got a dead spot. Just replace it.