Make a donation

Author Topic: Swapping seat belts - just the belts, using original tensioner units  (Read 1929 times)

Offline MateyGuv

  • Won't Shut up.
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 32
  • -Receive: 67
  • Posts: 679
  • Instagram & YouTube - mateyguv
    • Email
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,69555.0.html
I managed to get hold of the Edition 35 seatbelt which have red side stiched on them and thought that would finish my interior off well.  The car I got them from had a heavy smash so the pre tensioners had gone off which meant having to swap the belts themselves over into my working units.  I couldn't find anything particularly helpful on line so thought I'd put a quick how to incase its helpful to anyone....

When I got them I decided to give them a clean as they were out the car and it was easy enough to do - I was amazed how dirty they were!!



First job is to take out the rear seats, doorcards (mine is a 3 door), boot side units and C pillar trim.  This gets you access to the belt units themselves




Once you get the interior trim out the way take out the seatbelt tensioners, pull out to full extension and hold tight!!



Work the belt out so the pin can be extracted - DO NOT LET GOT OF THE TENSIONER!!!!



Brace the tensioner so it doesn't unwind - that would be a massive problem!!



Install new belt making sure its the right belt, in the right position and the anti rattle bunch of fabric is facing the right way.  Push pin in so it fits flush with belt then pull through making sure its seated properly



Fit completed new units back where they came from.

Rears fitted, also showing the old belt next to the Edition 35 belts



Fronts fitted



Re fit the interior and all is done  :smiley:  By the time I finished it was pitch black outside so this picture is not the best but you can see the front and rear belts on the seats. 



Offline r5gtt

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 342
  • -Receive: 334
  • Posts: 5586
Re: Swapping seat belts - just the belts, using original tensioner units
« Reply #1 on: December 20, 2015, 10:21:09 pm »
Nice write up  :congrats:

Like the belt stitching  :happy2:

Offline LondonGT

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 5
  • -Receive: 5
  • Posts: 91
Swapping seat belts - just the belts, using original tensioner units
« Reply #2 on: December 21, 2015, 05:48:50 am »
The belts themselves can be stretched and damaged in a crash. I don't want to rain on your parade but hope you're sure they are fine. Personally I wouldn't reuse any I knew were used.
Looks good tho.

Offline MateyGuv

  • Won't Shut up.
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 32
  • -Receive: 67
  • Posts: 679
  • Instagram & YouTube - mateyguv
    • Email
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,69555.0.html
Re: Swapping seat belts - just the belts, using original tensioner units
« Reply #3 on: December 21, 2015, 10:23:09 am »
The belts are not designed to allow stretch mate, if the belts were to have enough force applied to them to stretch they would simply split appart. Car seat belts are capable of supporting many tons of weight so unless there is a rip in them or obvious signs of damage all is good  :happy2:

Offline r5gtt

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 342
  • -Receive: 334
  • Posts: 5586
Re: Swapping seat belts - just the belts, using original tensioner units
« Reply #4 on: December 21, 2015, 04:24:30 pm »
Garages use them to haul engines out.  :happy2:

We've used one to pull a 17 seater mini bus and pulled it with a escort 1.8 diesel van hahaha