help with a seat belt needed.

scootr

Senior member
 USA
The shoulder harness is frayed on the drivers side. It's where the belt rubs the plastic housing when I'm wearing it.... Its worn about 10 mm from the outside edge. I thought this can't be good in case of an accident it might tear when my fat self lunges against the belt. So I bought a new one but BMW cant ship it because it is hazardous material in California. :o :? :headbang:
So I bought it used on ebay from the dismantler in Lithuanian. An exact match from the same year. It arrived today and I can not get the belt to peel off the reel. I pull and it comes 20mm and stops hard. Same result after tapping it all around and pulling from every position and angle... What the hell am I doing wrong? Thanks in advance
 
I had to swap some inertia reel belts in a 1994 C-Class Mercedes years ago and it took me hours to find the right angle to hold them so I could get them reeled out so I could fit them - I hope that's all it is. :thumbsup:
 
The right angle... hmm. Thought I tried them all but I'll check the car and see what the install position would be. Thanks
 
Well that's what I eventually worked out with those ones. I suppose the thinking is if the belt is at an unnatural angle the car probably is too - and then you want them to stay locked!
 
IIRC there is a pendulum weight which locks the reel when it is at an angle or if there is a sudden shock (such as a crash) as others have said try it at different angles but leave it a little while (couple of seconds to unlatch).

I knew taking stuff apart as a kid would be useful!
 
Jasonn said:
IIRC there is a pendulum weight which locks the reel when it is at an angle or if there is a sudden shock (such as a crash) as others have said try it at different angles but leave it a little while (couple of seconds to unlatch).

I knew taking stuff apart as a kid would be useful!

That's helpful - I wasn't giving any time to release in my usual impatient way :oops: Hopefully this works.
YES! I found a video showing other bmw models from the same era here > https://youtu.be/TqJf97kKcDE
This showed me the position of the reel in many cars of the same year so I tried it and whalla :thumbsup:
Thanks for your help - now that I know my newish belt works it on to the disassembly.
 
Ugh. There are 2 models. The US model has an electrical device and wire attached. OF course I waited weeks for a EURO model and now the car is apart. I learn something new everyday.
I found a company in the US to replace the strap. I'm sending them the assembly. Will post back.
 
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