Slow seat belt retraction
 

Anyone know if there is a way to service the slow seat belt retraction issue? I am familiar with the disassembly and removal, but is there anything I can do to make it retract like normal again, i.e., cleaning it or greasing it. Thanks.

Hey lsmalley,

More than likely it's just dirt. Since you're familiar with the disassembly/removal; it should be a relatively easy fix. Let us know if that works for you. Best of luck! :)


-Dmitry

Removed the seat belt (took about 15 - 20 minutes: 2 phillpis screws on lower panel and three 17 mm nuts.) Cleaned the actual seat belt part with Dawn and regreased the wound inner spring. Maybe a <2% improvement.

Ismalley, I used this outfit in the Boston area. Fast turnaround and good service. You might want to give them a look. https://www.safetyrestore.com/
I also remember a guy who washed his belt in a bucket of Dawn or Tide, and let it dry. Don't remember the results.
Anziani

Lazy retractors are a problem on all of these older cars. Other brands have similar issues, but cars that are kept longer (Mercedes et al) seem to show it more.

I have bought used ones from newer cars with little improvement. Seems no matter how clean, they get weak as they age.

Be careful with the SRS seatbelts, I don't know what fluids & cleaners are able to be used safely around the pre-tensioner.

I actually removed the entire belt portion from the car. and cleaned it in the sink with dawn. I guess I was making a premature judgement when I said <2% improvement. The belt wasn't completely dry and now that it is, there is a 50% - 60% improvement. The belt will actually retract now.

Slow seat belt retraction: Resolved! Now like brand new w/ video
 

So while the seat belt retracted it was still slow. The 50%-60% improvement was ok, but that only meant that I could disengage the seat belt and it would take 5 mins to retract instead of 10. Anyways, opened it up because I figured it must be something that is causing it to bind because I doubt that the spring would be that worn out where it doe not retract. So I found the problem. Its the small black thin plastic guide. I do not know the name of it or the purpose, but after close inspection, I could not see that this would have any effect on my safety if I removed it. So I did. Let me tell you, that the seat belt is not like brand new, literally! Check the video here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzESTTCx-sQTOG5sV2pkZUJ2Yjg/view?usp=sharing

Also, you can see the picture of the plastic I'm referring to in the attached photo.

Great job Ismalley. Next time you do a video, give me a call and I will actuate whatever while you hold the camera steady and do not shoot into the sun. :)
(Advice given in jest)
Anziani

This is cool. I've had this complaint on pretty much all my cars for a long time now. It looks like that piece lives behind the B-pillar at the top of the seat belt. Right?

Yes. I have no idea what it's used for, but it is maybe as thin as 2 -3 credit cards. The entire B pillar does not need to be removed. On the 201, its the 2 philips screws at the bottom, pry up on the b pillar from the bottom and you can leave the very top clip in tact (which is also the most difficult to remove). You do not need to remove the belt at all. Once you have access to the thin plastic just use a small razor blade to cut it off. Its not very tough to cut so be careful. My passenger side seat belt is still fine, I considered doing that one too, but I decided against it as I am sometimes notorious for causing collateral damage when fixing one problem. If the passenger side ends up like the driver side, then I'll make the repair. Let me know how it goes for you, should take you only 10 minutes or so.

It's not listed on the EPC for the front seats but for the rear seats it is PN 2018680030 "CAP: GUIDE BRACKET TO REAR PILLAR, TOP"