Drivers seatbelt doesn't fully retract

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H4wkeye
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Drivers seatbelt doesn't fully retract

Post by H4wkeye »

So the drivers seatbelt retracts normally until a certain point. Then it goes slow and just stops. You have to retract it back with hand. It's not much but it's enough for the belt to hang a little. I reckon it's the dirt and stuff that makes it do that? Or is it the roller inside.
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Re: Drivers seatbelt doesn't fully retract

Post by myglaren »

Common fault with C5s.
Both of mine had it.
A thorough clean, I used washing up liquid, followed by a spray of silicon lubricant spray when it has dried on the parts normally hidden in the pillar usually rectifies it, for a while at least.

Only use a mild detergent or the webbing may be compromised.

Have this to do on my current car, just started misbehaving.
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Re: Drivers seatbelt doesn't fully retract

Post by H4wkeye »

Thanks! So spray the silicone spray inside the hole where the seatbelt retracts into? Any specific spray, or any silicone one should work?
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Re: Drivers seatbelt doesn't fully retract

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

I have found that (when a belt is slow to retract) a decent car fabric cleaner should be used first, and then, when the belt is clean and dry, the silicone spray. Pull the belt out to its full length for both processes. You are spraying onto the belt, both sides, both processes.

For the silicon spray I have found that this does a very good job;

https://www.screwfix.com/p/floplast-sil ... lsrc=aw.ds
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Re: Drivers seatbelt doesn't fully retract

Post by H4wkeye »

Thanks. So just spray the belt when it dries. Can I use Fairy to clean it? Or something else maybe. I have some car fabric foam spray but not sure how that'd work.
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Re: Drivers seatbelt doesn't fully retract

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Not sure how this will cure the issue - as the seat belt reel is bolted at near floor level behind the side trim!
seast belt.JPG
At most you will only be pulling the already exposed (behind the side trim) portion of the belt through into the cabin. Any cleaning or silicon isn't going to get anywhere near the reel housing.

I think it's likely a matter of the tensioning in the belt mechanism that is becoming lax over time. If it worsens, then a new belt will be needed.
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Re: Drivers seatbelt doesn't fully retract

Post by myglaren »

It does work, at least temporarily.
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Re: Drivers seatbelt doesn't fully retract

Post by H4wkeye »

I'll try cleaning first. The belt works, it's just the end part doesn't retract well, it goes slow and then stops at one point when almost retracted. The initial part retracts well.
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Re: Drivers seatbelt doesn't fully retract

Post by mickthemaverick »

Yes I agree with Steve, a proper clean and silicon spray will improve things a lot. While Marc is right about you not getting to the part of the belt that stays inside the housing, the reality is that that part generally hasn't got dirty in the first place. It is the sections you place around you that clog up with body dust over a period and the cleaning and then siliconing will bring them back to almost new standard. I do mine every 9 months or so and they work properly!! :-D
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Re: Drivers seatbelt doesn't fully retract

Post by H4wkeye »

Cheers! So grab some wash bowl, put hot water in it, add some washing up liquid, let the belt sit in it for like 30 mins, then dry it out, silicone spray it and done?
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Re: Drivers seatbelt doesn't fully retract

Post by mickthemaverick »

I don't use water at all. I spray the belt with upholstery foam and after ten minutes or so give it a scrub and wipe off with microfibre cloth. Then let it dry and spray with the silicon lubricant. :)
Last edited by mickthemaverick on 18 Apr 2022, 16:43, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Drivers seatbelt doesn't fully retract

Post by H4wkeye »

I have some foam for car fabric, guess I could try that for start. :D
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Re: Drivers seatbelt doesn't fully retract

Post by H4wkeye »

I've found this thing from Lidl laying around, but it says Silicone Oil on it, not spray. Can I use that?

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Re: Drivers seatbelt doesn't fully retract

Post by mickthemaverick »

Not too sure, it may leave a residue, but spray a bit on some similar fabric and see if it dries or stays oily in which case no use!! :-D
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Re: Drivers seatbelt doesn't fully retract

Post by H4wkeye »

Good idea. :D
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