Remove seat belt retractor

[pitman44]

I had a problem last year getting the passenger seat belt to release so I want to send the retractor out to be refurbished. I was sure I had seen a how to on getting to the retractor. As I recall it's a pita. I thought I had bookmarked the info, but apparently not. All I've been able to find here are seat belt guide repairs. Any chance someone has a link to a video or written description on removing the retractors? Thanks

 

[Delk]

First you have to remove the seat by the four bolts holding it down. This will give you access to the single bolt holding it to the side of the seat base. I dont remember if it is a torques or E drive but once that bolt comes out it will come off.

There is a single electrical plug on top and same thing as any of the seat work. Make sure you dont turn on the key as it will trip a fault code and set off the dash lights.

 

[Mazza]

Before you remove it, have you tried pulling the belt completely out and spraying it with silicon?
I had a problem with both belts not retracting and getting stuck, and was advised on here to try using a silicon spray on the webbing.
It worked and now the belts work perfectly.

Its worth a try as it will save you from having to do this........

 

[Delk]

Ahhh, sorry. I was thinking of the pretensioner on the side of the seat.

 

[pitman44]

Believe me, I haven't been looking forward to digging into it. I have not heard of spraying silicone on the webbing. Two questions. Was your belt locking so you couldn't pull it out unless you feed all of it back in or was it slow to retract? And what type of silicone spray did you use?

And I guess a third one if I may, have you seen anything on how to get to the retractor if all else fails? Thank you.

 

[Mazza]

Mine were slow to retract, and wouldn’t retract all the belt.
Silicon spray I used came from Toolstation (cheap!!!!)

If you do need to get to the Retractor, let me know by PM (click on the envelope, top right) and I can scan the pages from Bentleys and email them to you.

 

[pitman44]

Thank you, Mazza, I'll PM you. My retractor is not allowing the belt to be pulled out at all unless you feed it all the way back in. I even had to take the "button" stop off the belt to get even more belt back it. I did you something on YouTube about the problem you had. That fellow took a bucket of hot water, added some laundry detergent, pulled the belt out all the way, put a clamp on the belt so it couldn't retract, set the bucket on a towel on the seat and put all the belt he could into the bucket. Let it set about 30 minutes, wrung it out by hand and let it set another 30 minutes. The amount of grunge he got out of the belt was eye opening to say the least.

I'm also thinking that getting 20 year old belts rewebbed might not be a bad idea.

 

[Oddly Godly]

Before you remove it, have you tried pulling the belt completely out and spraying it with silicon?
I had a problem with both belts not retracting and getting stuck, and was advised on here to try using a silicon spray on the webbing.
It worked and now the belts work perfectly.

That sounds interesting my seat belt is a bit slow to retract, I take it the spray didn't mark your clothing in anyway.

 

[Mazza]

No. Sprayed it a few times then pulled the belt in and out fully a few times. Then pulled it out and let it dry off.

Never noticed anything on my clothes.

 

[Synclare]

If you have roll hoops they will need to come out along with the central cubby box purely to allow you to access the two screws in the side of the turret top through which the webbing passes. Belt to seat is secured by 16mm bolt, just move seat to best position for access and undo, no need to remove seat.

 

[t-tony]

Silicone spray will not mark clothes. Before using silicone spray it's best to clean the webbing with hot water an d a MILD detergent. Allow to thoroughly dry before spraying with the silicone.
If the belt won't pull out then there's most likely a fault with the inertia reel itself. I would not even consider re-webbing a belt. By far a better route would be contact any of our resident breakers, @spurs fan in a coupe , @mrscalex , @Synclare and fit a known good unit.

Tony.

 

[mrscalex]

I have seat belt assemblies. But I at this age I always think they are a bit hit and miss as to whether they retract properly or not. And you don't know for sure until they are back on the car in situ.

New assemblies are £250-£300 from BMW.

 

[t-tony]

You can test seat belts without them being attached to a vehicle. You just have to mount them in a vice so that they are level.

Tony.

 

[t-tony]

I fitted a used unit on the rear of my daughter's Insignia last week. She paid £16 for it and it works. Easier to fit than on a Z3 granted.

Tony.