Seatbelt removal on E86

chanlon1

chanlon1

Active member
 Belfast
My drivers side seatbelt is twisted.
I have tried and tried to correct it, but even after being able to "untwist", it still seems out of place.
On closer inspection it looks like I need to remove where the belt connects to the seat, and then untwist the metal clip.
This seems to be held on with a 14/15mm bolt, but it looks like it won't come out as part of the seat base hinders its removal.

Am I missing something? How do I remove it? All other posts about taking seats out never seem to mention anything about belts.

thanks!
 
Without being near the car to remind myself how, it comes off easily with the seat in situ.
 
On the photo, the red square is where you would put the spanner to unscrew the bolt. However, as it unscrews, the spanner can't move as the seat base is in the way.

IMG_8846.jpg
 
I'll try to get a photo tomorrow when its daylight. The belt is retracting into the back of the car okay, but when you orientate the belt over your shoulder and waist, its twisted. when you try to work out how to untwist, you soon realise that the only way is to remove where its attached to the seat and flip round 180 degrees. Due to the way the belt is attached to the seat, you cant untwist just the material.
I did see a video earlier of someone removing E85 seats. After unbolting, unconnecting wires etc, the last thing they did before taking the seat out was to unbolt the belt. They were able to loosen the bolt and then unscrew with their fingers. But the seat was half put of the car which made it look easier.
I guess I could try in-situ and if it all went to pot, take the seat out.
 
Look forward to seeing the pic because it sounds weird. Is the belt buckle on the correct side of the belt when it’s retracted? E.g on the inside not out?
 
By the way if it is just the above, fold the seat belt in half at 45 degrees and pull the buckle over the fold. It will flip over. Sorry if I’m teaching you to suck eggs.
 
Just unbolt the seat and tip it forward to access the belt bolt.

My X5 had a twisted drivers belt and when I was taking the seat out the other week to look at the handbrake I found the last person to have the seat out had bolted the end of the belt on backwards.
 
Zedebee said:
You will need a spanner, not a socket, but there is acres of space.
Click to expand...

I was able to get a ratchet spanner and loosen it, but didn’t try to take it out completely. I “felt” that there wasn’t enough room. Maybe just need a better “f**k it” attitude and try it!
 
Jeez. I think I’m an idiot!
I never thought of putting the seat height up. I had only slide the seat forward. I assume that the bolt is attached to the frame and it doesn’t rise.
Therefore if the seat is up it will give loads of room.
Doh!!
Thanks for the replies. Will look at it tomorrow.
 
chanlon1 said:
Jeez. I think I’m an idiot!
I never thought of putting the seat height up. I had only slide the seat forward. I assume that the bolt is attached to the frame and it doesn’t rise.
Therefore if the seat is up it will give loads of room.
Doh!!
Thanks for the replies. Will look at it tomorrow.
Click to expand...
We've all been there! I could only just about fit my ratchet back there even with it fully up and forward.

The bolt just comes out rather than up, so it won't get any more difficult to undo while it's coming out. Good luck!
 
Result!
Seat fully forward and up and access to the bolt was fine.

@raj_uk
Here’s a before pic. Top of seatbelt is fine, but if you try to work out how to untwist it, you will see my problem. It was almost double twisted.

41885BB5-12AA-42CD-81CA-685FB20F9D67.jpeg
 
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