Seat Belts, Checking

Seat Belts

Seat Belts, Checking

CAUTION!
The seat belt system is to be systematically checked after every accident! If damage has been found according to check points, the customer is to be notified of the necessity of a seat belt replacement.

Check Points:

• Belt webbing check

• Check the belt tensioner (locking function)

• Visual inspection of the seat belt latch

• Seat belt latch function test

• Belt Guide Rings and Locking Tongue, Checking

• Checking the mounting components and mounting points

• Check the lap belt tensioner

• If customer refuses to have a damaged seat belt replaced, appropriate note should be made.

Belt Webbing Check

- Pull the belt webbing fully out of the tensioner or the lap belt adjustment tongue.

- Check the belt webbing for contamination, wash with mild soap solution if necessary =>operating instructions.

• If one of the depicted types of damage (1 and 2) is detected on a vehicle which has been in an accident, the seat belt must be replaced together with the belt latch.

• If damage as illustrated under points 1, 2 or 3 is determined on vehicle which has not been involved in an accident, it is sufficient to replace damaged belt only.

- 1 - Belt webbing cut, torn or chafed.





- 2 - Webbing loops on belt edge torn.





- 3 - Burn marks from cigarettes or the like.





Belt tensioner check (locking function, etc.)

The belt tensioner has two locking functions.

• The first locking function is initiated by belt being jerked out of the retractor (belt extraction acceleration).

Checking

- Pull belt webbing out of retractor with a firm jerk.

• No locking effect - replace seat belt complete with the seat belt latch.

• If difficulties are experienced when pulling out or retracting the belt, first check whether the position of the retractor has been altered.

• The second locking function is initiated by change in vehicle velocity (vehicle-dependent locking function).

Checking

- Fasten seat belt.

- Accelerate vehicle to 12 mph (20 km/h) and then perform a full braking maneuver with foot brake.

• Replace seat belt complete with seat belt latch if seat belt is not locked by locking mechanism during braking procedure.

CAUTION!
For safety reasons, road test should be carried out on traffic-free stretch to ensure that other motorists/pedestrians etc. are not endangered.

Visual inspection of the seat belt latch.

- Inspect belt buckle for cracks and fracturing.

• If damaged, replace seat belt complete with belt buckle.

Seat belt latch function test

Checking seat belt latch:

- Slide the latch tongue into the belt latch until it clicks in place. Pull on the belt webbing strongly to make sure the latch mechanism is engaged.

• Replace the seat belt complete with the seat belt latch if the belt tongue fails even only once to engage properly in the seat belt latch during at least 5 tests.

Check release mechanism:

- Press the seat belt latch button to release the seat belt.

With the seat belt relaxed, the lock tongue must spring out of seat belt latch without assistance.

• Perform the test at least five times. If the latch tongue does not spring out even one time, replace the entire seat belt, including the belt latch.

CAUTION!
Under no circumstances may grease be used to eliminate noise or stiffness at belt buckle buttons.

Check of the belt relays and latch tongue

Plastic-coated fittings face the load (seat belt on during accident) of the belt system parallel to the small grooves (wear created by significant usage, in contrast, is recognizable on the basis of the smooth, stripe-free abrasion).

- Check the plastic for deformation, rupture and tearing.

• In the case of scoring and/or damage, replace the seat belt complete with the latch.

Check of the mounting components and mounting points

• Latch bracket deformed (stretched)

• Height adjuster not functional

• Mounting points (seat, pillar, vehicle floor) distorted or thread damaged

• If component damage is found, replace the seat belt complete with the latch.

• Replace the anchorage points

• In damage is discovered that is not accident-related, for example, wear, replace the particular part which is damaged.