• Hi Guest!
    You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

Seat belt is locked...any suggestions?

Share this page

TNMGB

TNMGB

Jedi Trainee
Offline
I went to pick up a friend today in my '79B and the passenger seat belt was locked up and wouldn't come out. I monkeyed with it for 30 minutes or so by letting it go back in slightly and then slowly pulling it back out. It would eventually release inch by inch and then no more...not enought for a person to actually put aorund their waist and shoulder. Any suggestions on how to take care of this? This is a new thing and I wonder if the last person to ride let it get yanked back too quickly and put a twist in the webbing or something.
Thanks!
 
Hey, Stranger - where ya been?

Not real sure if they are the same make as yours, but the new ones in Janet's B are pretty finicky. If the retractors aren't at the right angle, they lock up pretty easily, even if you pull them out very slowly. It can be frustrating, but eventually they do come out. I'll be curious to hear what others have to say on this one.

Mickey
 
So nice to know I've been missed, Mickey!

I think I'll have to spend a while slowly pulling that sucker out...replacements seem rather expensive!
 
Mine is still locked up. Someone on here said you can actually take it apart and the sticking problem would be obvious and easy to correct. I just haven't gotten around to it yet.
 
The B or the Alfa, Kenny? The B (Kangol, IIRC) is just a PITA, the Alfa has a little release lever dead center of the takeup reel, lift with a finger and SLOWLY unreel the belt... Watch it: it will bite.
 
B... The one's in the Alfa work great.
 
The Kangol's seem to corrode and get "kludgy". Another job fer PB Blaster! Just don't get any onna webbing... SO will kick your butt if'n the belt soils a Prom Dress or suchlike.
 
not to mention the old webbing is fuzzy and get's caught too. Prolly not much good in an accident, but enough there to keep from getting a ticket.
 
GAD! Well, if you gotta hit something try to go in backwards... clutch in, keep the rev's up and pick a SOFT spot!

HTH! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
hmmmm... sounds like the driver's belt in mah B. Wear it everyday, but don't think it'll do me any good if I ever hit anything. Hope me accident avoidance driving skills keep me oughta trouble.... even after I get the belts replaced.
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif
 
So is there a way to undo the take up reel without having the whole thing spring apart? How does one get in there to fix things? I looked at that earlier and didn't want to get into worse shape than I already was.
 
I wear the seat belt in my Midget so the lance that they call a steering column won't miss...hopefully it never comes to that though.
JC
 
Just remember if it's broke and you take it apart and can't get it back together... it's still broke. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

That little bit of philosophy has let me learn about how tons of stuff works (or doesn't work) - hehehehe.
 
If Kangols aren't perfectly level, they'll lock up...loosen the housing & try tipping it until it releases.
 
There was a recall on the Kangol belts several years ago. I think it involved the 1977 through 1980 MGB (and 1977 - 1979 Midget). The retractors would do exactly as you are describing...lock up continually as one attempted to pull the belt out for use...making for frustrated users who eventually gave up and travelled sans-a-belt.

I got new belts plus $50 cash when I sent mine in back about 1987 or so. At that time, the recall was being processed by Jaguar Cars. It would be my guess that there is no one left out there to process theses anymore. You might do a search online to see IF there is anything out there.

In any case, please replace the belts (might as well do both sides) if you cannot make a good "repair"...we want to see more posts from you on this BBS...not your obituary!
 
Say, Tony, does one loosen the screw on the side of the retractor housing or do I need to flip the top cover of it? When I actually removed the side screw, it didn't really do too much and I was afraid to remoce the other one...maybe because it said "Do not remove cover". I jsut don't want to booger it up even worse; I have visions of it springing apart on me and then I'll be in a bigger mess.
 
"booger it up even worse" heck it does not work now, worst thing that can happen is you have a nonretractable seat belt for awile.
 
Well, yeah, but I may swing by my LBC "goo-roo" and let him see if he can help it along...
 
I meant the main mounting bolt..the cover just comes off...then you can clean them..but, why? They're pretty useless in an accident....

STORY::

Several years ago, I was stopped in Kansas City at a routine inspection spot (you know, where they check license, registration, insurance)....here's how the dialogue went:

"License, registration, proof of insurance, sir."

Walks around back to check license plate against paperwork - comes back"

"Sir, I'm going to have to cite you for not wearing a seat belt. Please pull over to the side."

"Why, officer?"

"Its the law, sir."

"Officer, I'm talking to you over the top of the windshield, the window winder is 3" away from my left leg, the shift lever is 6" from my right side, the steering wheel is maybe 8" from me, & the windshield might be at my head height. If I have an accident the window handle will puncture my leg, the shifter will pierce my side, the steering wheel will puncture a lung, & the windshield will fold down & squash my head. What good is a seat belt?"

As he hands my paperwork back...

"Have a nice day, sir. Drive carefully."

No ticket issued!
 
Back
Top