Retracting Seatbelts, that DON@T Retract

[campersteve]

Hi, I have just discovered a great solution to those pesky seatbelts that won't retract. Last summer I took the front belts out of my 71 bay and following the advice on all the forums, I scrubbed them with soapy water, re-tensioned them, put them back in after they were completely dry, and BINGO! they were exactly the same. Today I had a lightbulb moment and remembered I had a can of this amazing stuff I bought for a job last year. So I pulled out the belts as far as they would go, sprayed them on both sides, and when they were dry let them retract and they now retract like brand new!!! Maybe it would be advisable to wash them first to get rid of the years of grim like I did, or it may just work anyway without washing, whichever way you decide it WILL be the best 8 quid you spend. P.S. No I don't work for the manufacturer, lol

 

[gvee]

I'll be _that guy_...
Just a reminder that seat belts have a best before date, and should really be replaced when they have a problem

 

[davidoft]

I'll be _that guy_...
Just a reminder that seat belts have a best before date, and should really be replaced when they have a problem

where did you get that information from?

 

[gvee]

It's true in motorsport, but apparently not so much for passenger vehicles!

However, my main concern still stands and I'd replace seat belts when they have a problem as they are a strange kind of single-use item...
Older seat belts were also not treated with anything to protect against UV degradation either.

However, as David rightly prompted, there is nothing in the MOT rules about the age of a seat belt in a passenger car.