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
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.
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.
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
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).
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.
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
Here's what I did 5 years ago.... http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/308-328-sponsored-yellow-compass-group/391673-sticking-seatbelt-retractor.html
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
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.
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?
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
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
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>
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.