Hi all

 

A while back I had the problem with a very slow retracting seat belt on the NSF.  I looked at the forum back then and followed the clean/polish advice and it sorted it out.  But the problem is back again now.  I tried to clean/polish again but it made it worse and now the seat belt is just stuck fully out and will not retract at all.  

 

Does that mean it's dead or is there still hope?  Do I need to remove the side panel (and anything else???)  to look at the mechanism and if so what and how?  

 

If I do manage to get in there and find that it is dead, how easy is it to change it?  Could I give it a go or is is a job for the garage?  

 

And lastly, I read mixed reviews about using a used seat belt from one of the big spares companies.  Any further thoughts on that?

 

Many thanks for any help.  It's an old car so I'm trying to keep the repair costs as low as possible.  

 

PS - It's a 1.2 Estate 2003, Comfort.  

It's an easy DIY job, however a secondhand belt will likely be just as bad due to the age of the part. Buy new.

Well that's good to hear.  

 

So do you - or does any one else - have any idea how it is done, or where I can find a guide please?  

 

Cheers

@Hawthorn654 - Changing a seat belt involves 3 or 4 bolts. The hard part is getting the trim off, and I think most people will be reluctant to advise there in case you break it and blame them...

I see.  Well, i certainly wouldn't blame anyone for anything!  Especially when they are offering advice freely; advice which I asked for.  So please don't let that hold anyone back.  

 

Also, the car is far from perfect inside.  In all honesty I could live with a broken trim fine if it meant a fixed seat belt / cheaper replacement option.  

 

A link to a description or video would be great.  I've tried looking but no luck so far.  Perhaps I'm using the wrong terms.  

 

Cheers

 

 

Remove the big bolt that holds the top of the belt in the slidey slot. The top white trim next, held by its edges which curl round the front and back of the B/C pillar ease these free at the top but there is also a spring clip at the top fairly central which can be freed with a large screwdriver, inserted flat and then turned. Lower part of the white bit also has a clip much the same. Removal of the white plastic is toward the opposite BC pillar. Same for the bottom black plastic which just has the one clip at the top. Free the front and rear lips and lever the top toward the opposite BC pillar. Lower edge lifts upward and off. You will also need to free the plastic to the rear of the BC pillar along the door step. Gentle but positive upward force to free the edge and lip and pull out from under the lip of the plastic that starts up the D pillar. The latter bit came up easily on mine freeing the lower bit. I was able to bend the rear lower plastic enough to remove the seat belt mechanism which has an impact explosive in it so carefull! WD40 to the drum edges freed the mechanism. Did this yesterday!!!

ps. thats not all but the other bits are obvious.

That's really really helpful.  Many thanks for taking the time.  I really appreciate it.  Although it's a shame you didn't make a home video   

Outside in the cold in sunny devon? Temperature struggled to get above 3ish. My fingers were in and out of gloves all day and I was in and out of the house for hot tea. Video would have been 4 hours long with not much happening most of the time, a bit of cursing now and again and some shivering. Never mind. Had the rear bumper off today and fitted cheapo reversing sensors. Amazing what you can do when the rain stops!

Slide the front seat fully forward and best access is from rear.

Haha, I was only kidding.  Glad you had a successful and productive day.  

Back when briskoda parts was working I bought a new one for around £125, just to give you a ballpark idea. Couple of years ago now, and I'm not sure how much discount I was given.

I changed mine a couple of months ago. As said above, the only difficulty is removing the very top piece of trim (I broke mine 😵 but it’s not noticeable)

 

Take your time with that piece, starting at the top and ensure you’re only pulling / using trim tools where the clips are. It will be obvious where they are if you take your time.