328 seat belts don't retract. | FerrariChat

328 seat belts don't retract.

Discussion in '308/328' started by Rosey, Apr 1, 2017.

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  1. Rosey

    Rosey F1 Rookie

    Nov 5, 2015
    3,587
    Australia
    Full Name:
    Mark R
    Hi all,

    After 28 or so years both the seat belts in my 328 GTS don't retract all the way once pulled out during usage after a drive.

    They just retract a little and then stop leaving them flopping around the seat.

    Any suggestions on how to restore the retraction feature for them to fully retract all the way back?

    Cheers
     
  2. bspellerin

    bspellerin Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 4, 2011
    352
    Midlothian, Texas
    Full Name:
    Brian Pellerin
    I had the same problem and was able to locate the exact same kind of retractors on a DeLorean parts site, ordered them and still had the same issue. I called the guy for assistance and made the mistake of telling him that I installed them in my 308. He informed me that there was nothing he could do for me since they were not installed in a DeLorean, I said what's the difference, he only guaranteed proper function if placed in the correct car, huh? I could have returned them but he wanted an exorbitant price for restocking, so now I just deal it when it happens.
     
  3. 308 milano

    308 milano F1 Veteran

    Jan 15, 2007
    5,257
    Montana
    Full Name:
    Kim
    Had this happen once. Removed the seatbelts and extended the belt out fully from the retracting mechanism. Blew it out with the air hose and then sprayed just a very light trace of "PB blaster" inside the mechanism. Ran it back and forth and it works good as new, That was two years ago.
     
    Albert-LP likes this.
  4. Alden

    Alden F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 25, 2010
    2,903
    Central Florida
    Mine was just the diver's belt that was not retracting, passenger belt was fine.

    Since it is a bit of a pain to remove all the panels to access the retractor in my Mondial, I went at it from the top.

    I pulled the belt out all the way, clamped it so it couldn't retract and cleaned the retractor mechanism with liberal doses of electrical contact cleaner, placed paper towels underneath to catch the debris and liquid.

    Once "cleaned," I sprayed the mechanism with silicone lube with the belt fully retracted to expose as much of the retractor parts as possible and keep the spray off the belt itself.

    Wiped it down to remove any excess lube and let the belt retract fully. I also extended and retracted the belt a few times to make sure it was smooth.

    Mine has operated 100% since then.

    Your retractor mechanism could also have "rotated" a bit, causing the belt to bind. Then you have to get to it so you can re-align it for a straight pull and tighten the hold down bolt.

    Similar thread in the Mondial section:
    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/mondial/548574-qv-seat-belt-retractor.html
    Alden
     
  5. Rosey

    Rosey F1 Rookie

    Nov 5, 2015
    3,587
    Australia
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    Mark R
    PB blaster ??
     
  6. 308 milano

    308 milano F1 Veteran

    Jan 15, 2007
    5,257
    Montana
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    Kim
    #6 308 milano, Apr 1, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  7. Rosey

    Rosey F1 Rookie

    Nov 5, 2015
    3,587
    Australia
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    Mark R
    Thank you.
     
  8. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 1, 2005
    3,628
    Canada
    WD 40 now makes a Teflon lube that is probably better than the silicone types for this purpose. The solvent will clean/evaporate and leave a dry lube that will not attract dust and grit like the silicon in regular WD 40 would (I think PB blaster has more silicon than WD 40).

    http://www.webstaurantstore.com/images/products/main/103637/129864/wd-40-specialist-10-oz-dirt-dust-resistant-dry-lube-ptfe-spray.jpg

    I did the clean and alignment (and it is the alignment using the one bolt on the mechanism that is probably at the root of the problem described, reorient the belt mechanism while testing the belt sitting in the seat, and Loctite the bolt).
     
  9. 308 milano

    308 milano F1 Veteran

    Jan 15, 2007
    5,257
    Montana
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    Kim
    #9 308 milano, Apr 1, 2017
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2017
    PB blaster penetrant contains no silicone. My understanding of WD-40 (Water Displacement- 40th formula )is that it contains light oil's, no silicone, is a penetrant and not a lubricant.
     
  10. Alden

    Alden F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 25, 2010
    2,903
    Central Florida
    PB Blaster is great for freeing up rusted or seized items, but it has quite an odor though. I use it outside the car, but never inside due to the smell it leaves behind.
    Alden
     
  11. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 30, 2001
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    Jim E
  12. JFerrari328

    JFerrari328 Karting

    Jul 11, 2016
    113
    MA
    On the same note.
    My passenger side belt would not extend and it was not snug against the fire wall. I took it apart, lubed the moving parts with silicone and confirmed the swing/counter weight was operating. Put it back together and snogged it to the fire wall in the same position as the drivers side. works great.
    I believe the swing/counter weight has a big factor if it is not in the vertical position.

    The thread jimpo1 recommended is also helpful

    J
     
  13. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 1, 2005
    3,628
    Canada
    Yes, correction, the specific cans of PB and WD40 in the picture do not contain silicones (usually silaxanes). Some of their formulations do, but not these specific ones. They are Stoddard solvents with some mineral oil compounds. They still can leave a sticky residue and the solvents are not good for rubbers and plastics. I think the WD40 with PTFE (Teflon) I noted has plastic safer solvents, mostly heptane, it does spray more like a brake cleaner or electrical cleaner type of lighter fraction solvent. There is still some solvent and mineral oil in there as well though. But it is supposed to be a dry residue lubricant that will not attract dust. There is some plastics inside the roller mechanism.

    In any event, with the extra research done I would actually suggest compressed air or a can of CO2 for computer cleaning dusting to blow out grit and dust would probably be just as effective and have no downside even if remote of any of the other products. Other than some grit, seems the main problem with the belts is the alignment rather than the mechanism itself.
     
  14. Theruse

    Theruse Karting

    Jan 17, 2014
    118
    Maryland
    Full Name:
    Prescott Russo
    Having the same problem that the passenger seatbelt cannot extend. I removed the leather cover and unbolted the seatbelt mechanism and spayed with air . There are two plastic endcaps that say don't remove on the non weight side. Has anyone removed the plastic caps to actually see the mechanism? The issue in my view may either be the weight or the spring has lost tension. I would like to take the endcap off but it appears to have a rivet holding it on?
     
  15. JohnnyTS

    JohnnyTS Formula Junior

    Jun 3, 2012
    898
    Pretoria East, RSA
    Full Name:
    John
    Mine was also slow retracting, I've removed the leather cover, pulled the seat belt all the way out and viewed the mechanism from the bottom, there's a opening and you can see the mechanism (with the seat belt all the way out), did not unbolt, sprayed a little general purpose lubricant (non oily), similar to silicone spray but doesn't evaporate so fast, let it retract in and out a bit and sprayed some more, I think it just loosened the tacky mechanism. now its fast
     
  16. Pero

    Pero Formula Junior
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    Apr 22, 2011
    820
    Sweden
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    Peter R
    Extend all way out, back off 30-40 cm, extend all way out again. Repet several times, sort of excersise the first part of the belts. It sometimes work without using any spray. I said sometimes......
    /Peter
     
  17. bentrm

    bentrm Formula Junior

    Sep 17, 2011
    596
    Pittsburgh, PA
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    Rob
    This might be worth a try:

    <div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
     
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  18. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 4, 2003
    10,462
    Wayne, NJ
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    Clyde E. McMurdy
    I found this on an MB forum. it worked.
    Tried it on my 355 - it helped a lot

    I don't use the towel on the seat. I just leave it retracted outside the window or door until it dries.
    Do clean up & wipe around the feed areas.
     
  19. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jul 30, 2001
    24,510
    Dallas, TX
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    Jim E

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