Seatbelt Spring, 1974 Seatbelt Options

[srb7f]

So I was looking for something to do on the 914 today, and figured I'd clean out the old seatbelt mechanism so that maybe the seatbelt would work a little better without getting hung up all the time, and SPRING, out flies this masive spring in a huge mess.

Got the rest of it cleaned up OK, but can't for the life of me figure out how this spring goes back in. Any tips, or is this a lost cause? Any help appreciated, Steve

74' 914

[Dave_Darling]

Smartass answer #1: With lots of blood--because that thing is sharp!

Smartass answer #2: Using heavy gloves and some wood implements to hold it, because that thing is sharp!

Smartass answer #3: It goes in wrong lots of ways, from not enough tension on the belt to so tight you can't pull the belt out without using both hands!


...Serious answer: It is a coil spring, even though the metal is flat and not a rod. It gets twisted around and around and around. I forget where along the outside part it hooks to, but the reel in the middle has a slot the spring fits into. Be very careful, because the sucker is sharp! You're lucky it didn't take part of your face off when it sprung loose. Use heavy gloves and wooden implements to save your hands from cuts. Set it up and try it; you will likely have to make several attempts to get the tension close.

Luckily the tension doesn't have anything to do with the locking mechanism, so as long as you get decently close on the tension level you won't increase your odds of eating the steering wheel. Much.

If you're in the "better safe than sorry" camp, get a new reel.

--DD