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Seat belt problem[200/85] posted by John Costello on
Saturday, 5 December 1998, at 12:48 a.m.
Hello guys,
My '85 245 is having problems with the back seatbelts. When I pull the seat belts to put around the kids, they stop every couple of inches. I need to pull very slowly, and even then they usually stop. How do I fix this problem? I think it is common as a friend's 240 did the same thing. However, he didn't have kids and so never uses them... I do and it is always a struggle to get the kids in the seats, much less worry about the seat belt...
Thanks for the help
John
Re: Seat belt problem[200/85] posted by Ross Gunn on
Saturday, 5 December 1998, at 11:16 a.m.
Your problem should be repairable by removing the reel from the car and removing the end of the seat belt reel that is somewhat conical. DO NOT REMOVE the other end which is flat. The spring inside can easily pop out and is NOT easy to get back in. Before removing the conical end, (2 screws) note the arrow indicating the top and mark the housing to ensure it goes back the right way. Inside you will find a round metal plate supporting a lead weight. This is the mechanism that locks the belt in the event of sudden deceleration. (There is a separate mechanism that locks it if it is quickly extended.) You will see that the mechanism operates by a tang that engages teeth in the reel when the weight is displaced
slightly. If the cam is too close to the teeth, it will engage
prematurely. Carefully bend the tang so that it will not be so close to
the teeth. I suggest that with the weight in place, the tip of the tang
should be flush with the inner surface of the round metal plate.
Reassemble and check for operation by tilting the reel about 10 degrees
from horizontal (arrow pointing up) an verify that the reel locks.
Reinstall in the car and recheck by trying to extend the belt while
cornering or braking. It should lock under moderate braking or turning.
Note that because of the nature of the mechanism, it could lock when the
car is parked on a steep slope (sideways or front or rear pointing up).
If you do not feel comfortable doing this kind of repair to a critical life
saving piece of equipment, then for your own peace of mind, get new reels.
If you have any questions, let me know.
Best of luck with this.
--Ross