Seat Belt System

Seat Belts, Inspecting

WARNING: After every accident the seat belt system must be inspected systematically. If damage is determined when inspecting the check points, the customer must be informed regarding the necessity of changing belts.

Check points:
- Checking webbing strap
- Checking inertia reel (locking efficiency etc.)
- Visual check of belt buckle.
- Functional check of belt buckle.
- Checking belt guides, relays and the buckle tongue
- Checking securing parts and anchorage points
- Check lap belt inertia reel.

NOTE: If the customer refuses to have a damaged seat belt replaced an appropriate note should be made on the repair order.

Checking webbing strap
- Pull belt completely out of inertia reel or lap belt adjustment tongue.
- Inspect belt straps for soiling, and if necessary wash with a mild soap solution Owners manual also.
- If either of the following examples of damage (1 and 2) are found on a belt after an accident, it is sufficient to replace the damaged belt only.
- If damage as illustrated under points 1, 2 or 3 is found on a vehicle which has not been involved in an accident, it is sufficient to replace the damaged belt only.







1 Belt webbing cut, torn or chafed.







2 Webbing loops on belt edge torn.







3 Burn marks from cigarettes or similar.

Checking inertia reel (locking efficiency etc.)
The inertia reel has two locking functions.
- The first locking function is initiated by belt being jerked out of reel (belt extraction acceleration).

Checking
- Pull belt out of reel with a firm jerk.
- No locking effect - replace seat belt complete with belt buckle.
- If difficulties are experienced when pulling belt out or reeling belt in, first check whether position of inertia reel has been altered.
- The second locking function is initiated by change in vehicle movement sequence (vehicle-dependant locking function).

Checking
- Fasten seat belt.
- Accelerate vehicle to 20 km/h and then carry out and emergency braking with the foot brake.
- If the seat belt is not locked by the locking mechanism during braking procedure, seat belt complete with belt buckle must be replaced.

WARNING: For reasons of safety a road test should be carried out on a traffic-free stretch of highway to ensure that other motorists/pedestrians etc. are not endangered.

Visual check of belt buckle.
- Inspect belt buckle for cracks and fractures.
- If damage is determined, renew seat belt complete with belt buckle.

Functional check of belt buckle.

Checking belt buckle
- Push locking tongue into belt buckle until it audibly engages. Check whether locking mechanism is properly engaged by pulling firmly on belt.
- If belt tongue fails even only once to engage properly in belt buckle during at least 5 tests, seat belt complete with belt latch must be replaced.

Checking release mechanism:
- Release seat belt by pressing button on buckle using finger pressure.

When belt is slack the locking mechanism must spring out of belt buckle on its own.

- Carry out test at least 5 times. If belt tongue fails even only once to spring out of buckle, seat belt complete with belt buckle must be replaced.

WARNING: Under no circumstances may lubricant be used to eliminate noise or stiffness on belt buckle buttons.

Checking belt guides, relays and the buckle tongue
Plastic covered guides show, after strain on belt system, very fine parallel scoring (when belt was fastened during an accident). Wear which has been brought about by frequent belt use can be recognized by smooth signs of wear which are free of scoring.
- Inspect for deformation, fracturing and cracks in plastic.
- If scoring and/or damage is determined, renew seat belt complete with belt buckle.

Checking securing parts and anchorage points
- Buckle fitting deformed (stretched).
- Height adjustment fitting not functioning
- Anchorage point (seat, pillar, vehicle floor) distorted or thread(s) damaged.
- If damage is determined on these parts, replace seat belt complete with belt buckle.
- Replace anchorage points

NOTE: In cases of damage which is not the result of an accident, for example general wear, only the part which is actually damaged need be replaced.