Here is one for ya, Seat belt retraction spring Options

[jwalters]

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wacko.gif) OHHHHHHHH MY GOOOOOOOSH!!!

Dude--when I removed the plastic cover to my seatbelt spring----that damn thing nearly killed me!!!!!! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif)

Man-o-man--did that thingy ever spring out and try to put me in a full nelson-- (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif)

It was almost surreal--it was like slow motion and I saw my life flashing before my eyes as this 70+ foot spring lept out at me and then contorted into a ball of never-ending-story-------- (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/blink.gif)

I had to drink a beer after that and rethink my life-- (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beer3.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/unsure.gif)


To anybody else here that is contemplating taking apart your seat belt mechanism to make it retract better----pony up the dough for a new one---TRUST ME ON THIS!!!!!

I would take some pics but I am afraid---VERY AFRAID!

[riverman]

The German version of the Jack-In-The Box. Oh, those wacky Germans.

Same thing happened to me a while back and I managed to get everything back together. The first thing you have to do is untangle the mess. Find the more tightly curled end and then start twisting, tucking under, and wrappng untill you get it re-rolled.

Now comes the hard part, the way the spring naturally winds is not the way the spring goes into the mechanism. You have to reverse the tension on the spring by winding it up from the outside end and against the natural curve of the metal. I found the best thing to to was work on a slippery floor (hardwood, tile, cement, etc.) and get on your hands and knees so you are directly over your work. Suggestions about safety clothing are well founded because expect the spring to 'explode' on you a few times while you attempt the reverse wind. It requires some patience, a steady grip, and a technique that I can only partially describe here (you sort of have to get a feel for it). You have to keep the parts of the spring that you have wound together and this requires some pinching between your fingers and keeping the whole spring flat underneath the palm of your hand. Keep the 'tight' spring in one place and move the 'loose' spring around your work. If it explodes again, start from the beginning - you'll eventually get it.

Once you get it wound, carefully place the spring back into it's track in the seatbelt mechanism. Make sure the seatbelt is in the fully retracted position. You can relax a bit because the the track should help hold everything in place, but don't take the pressure off the top or it will explode again. Hook up the outside connection first, and then using some needle nose pliers put a couple more loops of tension on the inner part of the spring and then hook up up the inner connection. Spray the spring with some lubricant (WD40 or something) because alot of the spring's original lubrication will have come off on your hands. Carefully put the cover back on the spring mechanism. Leave the thing alone in the future.

Hope this helps.