Seat belt retractor tensioning
Seat belt retractor tensioning
So tonight while cleaning up the workbench, I ran across the broken plastic dowel that holds the cover on the front retractor.
I drilled a small hole in the side and found a black screw to thread into it.
I removed the retractor unit to install that part and remembered how my LH side unit had a history of not retracting all the way. I often had to help it home and I had lubed it a couple years back.
It is easy to increase tension on the retractor spring, BUT you must be very careful.
Beneath the red cover is the mainspring. Note the words DO NOT REMOVE.

The goal is not to remove it, but to loosen it and rotate it against the spring tension one turn or two to increase tension.
Clamp the retractor securely in a vice.
There are three round pegs on the red cover that fit tightly into the metal. you want to use a small screwdriver and pry up at all three WHILE HOLDING the red cover securely.
After the cover is lifted about 1/8", the pegs are free and you will fell the spring tension. Not a lot, but enough. Do not raise it further!
Now rotate it against spring pressure one turn and seat the pegs in the holes.
Try it out and repeat once more if needed.
If the pegs do not fit tightly into the holes, an epoxy glue can be used to secure the cover.
Disclaimer:
Not responsible for sprung springs, launched springs, launched retractors, broke windows, pierced body parts, etc...
I drilled a small hole in the side and found a black screw to thread into it.
I removed the retractor unit to install that part and remembered how my LH side unit had a history of not retracting all the way. I often had to help it home and I had lubed it a couple years back.
It is easy to increase tension on the retractor spring, BUT you must be very careful.
Beneath the red cover is the mainspring. Note the words DO NOT REMOVE.


The goal is not to remove it, but to loosen it and rotate it against the spring tension one turn or two to increase tension.
Clamp the retractor securely in a vice.
There are three round pegs on the red cover that fit tightly into the metal. you want to use a small screwdriver and pry up at all three WHILE HOLDING the red cover securely.
After the cover is lifted about 1/8", the pegs are free and you will fell the spring tension. Not a lot, but enough. Do not raise it further!
Now rotate it against spring pressure one turn and seat the pegs in the holes.
Try it out and repeat once more if needed.
If the pegs do not fit tightly into the holes, an epoxy glue can be used to secure the cover.
Disclaimer:
Not responsible for sprung springs, launched springs, launched retractors, broke windows, pierced body parts, etc...

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