Date: Sun, 21 Sep 1997 15:01:55 -0500 From: jsbihn@DigiScape.com (Bihn, Jeff S) Organization: Rebel Motorsports Subject: some people should know today i decided that i was going to try to fix my drivers side seat beat retractor. now, personally i am not one to bug gum and tape things, but since i figured that toyota wants $125.00 for a new seat belt unit and eventually i was going to get a momo 4,5 or 6 point harness, i would try fix it. so first i tried to clean it with "simple green", like some people have said to do, but dirt wasnt the problem. so, i take off all the rear driver side interior moulding and then take the entire seat belt assembly out. i fiddle with it some and realize that with it out of the car, it will only retract. see there is a magnetic ball inside the retractor that pull the locking mechanicism away if it is in the car. so after a number of times placing the retractor in the car and spooling it out and then taking it out again, i came to the conclusion that the reason it would not retract all the way was that the lubricant they put in the winding case was dry. i drilled a small hole in the center "O" of the case where it says "do not remove" and shot two forms or lubricant in there. the first was a wax lubricant, since the original lubricant seemed to have a solid appearance. after that dried some, i sprayed super lube in there, which is a very soft lubricant almost like water. i did this to allow for less friction if the wax lubricant dried and disintergrated too soon. after that it worked great. so i siliconed the hole and screwed it back in. this is where i found a flaw from the factory. the belt on the passangers side was completely straight with no twists, where the drivers side has always had twists. i repositioned the belt, the strap holder on the door sill of the car, and the bottom mount and now it is perfectly straight. now, i know you say why do that if i plan on getting a different belt altogether, but like i said before - i dont bubble gum and tape thing and if something isnt 100% perfect or pretty darn close, it has to be fixed. i hope this helps anyone that has a problem with their belt retractor -- please include the topic, and the car's year, make, and model. type to you soon jb Rebel Motorsports phone: 601-875-6485 e-mail: jsbihn@digiscape.com fax: 601-875-3164 website: http://www.rebel.digiscape.com - now accepting Visa and Master Card