Do Your Seat Belt Retractors Suck?, or....lack of spring tension |
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Do Your Seat Belt Retractors Suck?, or....lack of spring tension |
PRS914-6 |
Nov 19 2007, 02:45 PM
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#1
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Excellence Magazine Project 914 3.6 Group: Retired Members Posts: 1,278 Joined: 20-May 06 From: Central California Member No.: 6,031 Region Association: None |
I bought brand new seat belt assemblies. They were new in the box. Even new, the retractors suck! They just seem to lack enough tension to bring them back without twisting or fiddling to get them all the way back in. First, does everyone have this issue?
The good news is that after ruining a couple of old ones and nearly getting decapitated from flying springs, I think I have it down pretty good to pull them apart and tighten the springs without incident. I just tightened the new ones. Much better. There is a limit to how far you can tighten them though. For a fee I would be willing to tackle other peoples retractors. Is there interest? |
rmital |
Nov 19 2007, 03:17 PM
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#2
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Northeast optimist Group: Members Posts: 1,951 Joined: 12-December 05 From: Park Ridge, NJ Member No.: 5,268 |
..my passenger seatbelt retractor retracts fine...you have to wrestle with it to get the seat belt out. Only a few inches at a time and you have to pull it straight up vertically for it to come out.
what's the fix for that one??? sorry for the (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hijacked.gif) |
jonferns |
Nov 19 2007, 03:23 PM
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#3
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,081 Joined: 29-March 07 From: New Jersey Member No.: 7,631 Region Association: North East States |
i dont think mine really have a problem retracting, it just sounds like a roaring lion while its retracting....whats up with that?? -JON
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PeeGreen 914 |
Nov 19 2007, 03:39 PM
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#4
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Just when you think you're done...wait, there is more..lol Group: Members Posts: 10,219 Joined: 21-September 06 From: Seattle, WA... actually Everett Member No.: 6,884 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
Yeah, mine did that for a while, but now I have five points.
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Coy |
Nov 19 2007, 03:53 PM
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#5
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Member Group: Members Posts: 352 Joined: 6-February 06 From: Salem, OR Member No.: 5,537 |
My passenger side didn't ever retract well and was hard to pull out. I sprayed WD40 around inside of it and now it works great (no joke).
The driver side always has worked a little too well if you ask me. I find the constant tension very uncomfortable. I've taken to twisting it about 5 times so it won't retract fully, but it still locks if you give it a sharp pull. Anyone have a better solution short of 5 points (which would seem a bit of over-kill on my strictly street car interior). |
jonferns |
Nov 19 2007, 03:54 PM
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#6
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,081 Joined: 29-March 07 From: New Jersey Member No.: 7,631 Region Association: North East States |
gotta see if that will eliminate the growl...
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Thack |
Nov 19 2007, 03:56 PM
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#7
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Member Group: Members Posts: 283 Joined: 1-June 05 From: Houston, Tx Member No.: 4,182 |
Mine suck. Girfriend complains about it. How much?
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PRS914-6 |
Nov 19 2007, 04:26 PM
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#8
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Excellence Magazine Project 914 3.6 Group: Retired Members Posts: 1,278 Joined: 20-May 06 From: Central California Member No.: 6,031 Region Association: None |
Another thing I found is that with low tension, the belt easily flips over preventing pull out and it won't go back in (or out) either without correcting it. That's what was driving me crazy. With proper tension, the belt stays flat on the ring above your shoulder and won't twist.
I could easily loosen the spring as well as tighten. Pretty sure I could do a pair for $35.00 and include shipping one way. |
Chuck |
Nov 19 2007, 04:45 PM
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#9
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What it eventually will look like . . . . Group: Members Posts: 355 Joined: 29-March 07 From: Maple Grove, MN Member No.: 7,632 Region Association: Northstar Region |
Paul,
I was prepared to go with the Schroth street-legal 4 point harnesses, believing stock belts to be beyond hope. Now you have me thinking . . . |
sww914 |
Nov 19 2007, 04:50 PM
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#10
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,439 Joined: 4-June 06 Member No.: 6,146 Region Association: None |
The belts in my 02 WRX don't even retract!
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rick 918-S |
Nov 19 2007, 06:58 PM
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#11
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Hey nice rack! -Celette Group: Members Posts: 20,680 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Now in Superior WI Member No.: 43 Region Association: Northstar Region |
Mine both suck and growl! Biggest problem is I boxed them in behind my custom bulk head. Now I can't get them out to fix them without a huge ordeal. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) I hate them!
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PRS914-6 |
Nov 19 2007, 08:13 PM
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#12
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Excellence Magazine Project 914 3.6 Group: Retired Members Posts: 1,278 Joined: 20-May 06 From: Central California Member No.: 6,031 Region Association: None |
OK, someone (one person) send me a pair and be the guinea pig. I'll tighten the springs for free, just pay the shipping. Lets see if this is going to work on the average guys worn retractors and you can respond back to the forum.. I can turn them around in a day or two.
If the belts are totally crusty, it's probably a waste of time. |
ConeDodger |
Nov 19 2007, 08:37 PM
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#13
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Apex killer! Group: Members Posts: 23,758 Joined: 31-December 04 From: Tahoe Area Member No.: 3,380 Region Association: Northern California |
OK, someone (one person) send me a pair and be the guinea pig. I'll tighten the springs for free, just pay the shipping. Lets see if this is going to work on the average guys worn retractors and you can respond back to the forum.. I can turn them around in a day or two. If the belts are totally crusty, it's probably a waste of time. Me me!!! I will just drive up there, get lost, call you from Green Valley Road, you guide me in and we can go from there!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) |
PRS914-6 |
Nov 19 2007, 08:52 PM
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#14
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Excellence Magazine Project 914 3.6 Group: Retired Members Posts: 1,278 Joined: 20-May 06 From: Central California Member No.: 6,031 Region Association: None |
OK Rob, bring em up.....
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Brando |
Nov 19 2007, 09:35 PM
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#15
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BUY MY SPARE KIDNEY!!! Group: Members Posts: 3,935 Joined: 29-August 04 From: Santa Ana, CA Member No.: 2,648 Region Association: Southern California |
I'm so dissappointed with my seatbelts and retractors (frayed/torn and they twist around a million times if I let them retract on their own) that I plan on tossing the cheap VW/Audi/CRAP into the dumpster when I go with harnesses.
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roadster fan |
Nov 21 2007, 07:59 PM
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#16
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Project Frankenstein !!!!!!!! Group: Members Posts: 1,009 Joined: 24-November 05 From: Aptos, CA Member No.: 5,184 Region Association: Northern California |
Hey Paul,
Don't want to take away from you making a little $$ doing this, but could you post a few photos for those willing to take a risk at putting out there eyes. Regardless, thanks for taking the time to help us out. Jim |
Dr Evil |
Nov 22 2007, 12:31 AM
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#17
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Send me your transmission! Group: Members Posts: 23,032 Joined: 21-November 03 From: Loveland, OH 45140 Member No.: 1,372 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Dude, if my seat belt retractors sucked, I'd NEVER leave the garage (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
<rimshot> I may have some stack that you can rebuild and rotate if you are interested. |
ConeDodger |
Nov 22 2007, 12:58 PM
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#18
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Apex killer! Group: Members Posts: 23,758 Joined: 31-December 04 From: Tahoe Area Member No.: 3,380 Region Association: Northern California |
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PRS914-6 |
Nov 22 2007, 01:09 PM
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#19
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Excellence Magazine Project 914 3.6 Group: Retired Members Posts: 1,278 Joined: 20-May 06 From: Central California Member No.: 6,031 Region Association: None |
I'll be at Euro Sunday with my car. If you are coming, bring them with you......
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