Home  |  Forums  |  914 Info  |  Blogs
 
914World.com - The fastest growing online 914 community!
 
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way.
Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
 

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

 
 Reply to this topicStart new topic
> Do Your Seat Belt Retractors Suck?, or....lack of spring tension
PRS914-6
post Nov 19 2007, 02:45 PM
Post #1


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?
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
rmital
post Nov 19 2007, 03:17 PM
Post #2


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)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
jonferns
post Nov 19 2007, 03:23 PM
Post #3


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
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
PeeGreen 914
post Nov 19 2007, 03:39 PM
Post #4


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.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Coy
post Nov 19 2007, 03:53 PM
Post #5


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).
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
jonferns
post Nov 19 2007, 03:54 PM
Post #6


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...
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Thack
post Nov 19 2007, 03:56 PM
Post #7


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 283
Joined: 1-June 05
From: Houston, Tx
Member No.: 4,182
Mine suck. Girfriend complains about it. How much?
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
PRS914-6
post Nov 19 2007, 04:26 PM
Post #8


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.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Chuck
post Nov 19 2007, 04:45 PM
Post #9


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 . . .
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
sww914
post Nov 19 2007, 04:50 PM
Post #10


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!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
rick 918-S
post Nov 19 2007, 06:58 PM
Post #11


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!
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
PRS914-6
post Nov 19 2007, 08:13 PM
Post #12


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.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
ConeDodger
post Nov 19 2007, 08:37 PM
Post #13


Apex killer!
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 23,757
Joined: 31-December 04
From: Tahoe Area
Member No.: 3,380
Region Association: Northern California
QUOTE(PRS914-6 @ Nov 19 2007, 06:13 PM) *

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)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
PRS914-6
post Nov 19 2007, 08:52 PM
Post #14


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.....
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Brando
post Nov 19 2007, 09:35 PM
Post #15


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.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
roadster fan
post Nov 21 2007, 07:59 PM
Post #16


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
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Dr Evil
post Nov 22 2007, 12:31 AM
Post #17


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.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
ConeDodger
post Nov 22 2007, 12:58 PM
Post #18


Apex killer!
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 23,757
Joined: 31-December 04
From: Tahoe Area
Member No.: 3,380
Region Association: Northern California
QUOTE(PRS914-6 @ Nov 19 2007, 06:52 PM) *

OK Rob, bring em up.....


Ok Paul, I will call you. I think I may even have a few spares in the junkyard *someone* left in my yard...
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
PRS914-6
post Nov 22 2007, 01:09 PM
Post #19


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......
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
« Next Oldest · 914World Garage · Next Newest »
 

Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 

Display Mode: Standard · Switch to: Linear+ · Switch to: Outline

Track this topic · Email this topic · Print this topic · Subscribe to this forum

- Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 26th September 2024 - 05:30 PM
Invision Power Board v9.1.4 © 2024  IPS, Inc.
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community!
We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ...