Weak retracting seatbelt??

[steved]

Anyone have the problem of a weak retracting seatbelt?



I had mine repalced within a week of it being new because it wouldn't pull the sealbelt back and now (100k later) it has started doing it again...



Is this common and is there a fix for it??



steved

 

[jelag]

There must be at least 10 or 12 different wires that can be made into springs... each of these have different metals and are of different quality... as an example valve springs are very good material just like the springs we use in clutches... On the other hand the wire used to wind the spring in the seat belt retractor is very cheep material... . based on the value of valve spring material..... I'm guessing maybe 15% the cost... . its nothing more than a money issue with DC..... I don't know it there is a way to set the tension of this spring... . if there was..... you could reset the tension...



BTW, my trucks and 05 Jeep all have weak retracting seatbelts...

 

[bighammer]

It's happened a couple times now that my belt gets shut in the door, and the little plastic rivet that keeps the buckle up gets broken. I have to grab the buckle off the floor again now.

 

[MikeBeggy]

Hey there Steved, probably the only problem I have had with my 05 is the same belt thing you described. I don't ever let a dealer or anyone else touch so my solution has been every time I get out I toss the buckle behind the seat. Talk about being trained to do something ,,,,,I hadn't given it a thought until I saw your note. Maybe someone will chime in with a 20 dollar fix. See ya.

 

[steved]

You would think this would be a NHTSA recall since it is a problem with a restraint? Maybe some one should enlighten them??



steved

 

[Schrowang]

My 2004. 5 has weak seatbelt retractors too. Came that way from the factory on Day 1. I've gotten used to making sure the stupid things retract all the way before closing the doors. Yeah, yeah, I know I shouldn't have to on a $41K truck, but oh, well. Funny thing though, the back seat belts zip right back into their mechanisms, *** :--)



Mike

 

[bighammer]

If they retract more firmly, you'd have more pressure on you with it on. I like mine light, I just need to tuck them in before I shut door.

 

[steved]

Like I said, mine came from the factory this way, and I made them replace the mechanisms... now 100k later, same deal...



I don't mind having it light, but geeze, mine won't even retract without coercing it...



steved

 

[nickleinonen]

i complained about my drivers side one, and dealer replaced both for color match [and broke my pass. side B pillar] as the new is just slightly darker. . [2yr & 360day & 42000km i had on it]



oh well. no more full coverage warrenty for me = no more trips to dealership if at all possable

 

[Pawpaw]

If they retract more firmly, you'd have more pressure on you with it on. I like mine light, I just need to tuck them in before I shut door.

The way the seat belts are made now, you are correct.

I wonder what was wrong with the older seat belts (like my '91 Dodge van), that you could pull back and lock slightly away from your body and have NO pressure?

I know... some put it too loose and got themselves killed. I call that "genetic cleansing".

Bob

 

[AMink]

Doesn't matter the make, they ought to be better after making them for all these years! I've driven Dodges, Fords, Chevys, GMC's, all with weak retracters. You'd think that a spring that costs . 15 more would solve the problem.

 

[steved]

I guess I will just live with it till it dies... then see about getting it replaced... but I feel it is a safety issue, more than a matter of personal preference (genetic clensing!)



steved

 

[bighammer]

I think the spring in mine is strong enough to return it, it's just the way it feeds in is too sloppy. The slightest twist or mis-alignment stops it and leaves it where it is.

 

[steved]

I think the spring in mine is strong enough to return it, it's just the way it feeds in is too sloppy. The slightest twist or mis-alignment stops it and leaves it where it is.

Exactly how mine is... the replacements (when first installed) would even pull twists out when retracting...



Now they barely retract the belt when being helped... it's more of an annoyance than anything...



steved