Front seat belt retractor

[3mk1]

Neither of the front seat belts of my '80is will retract. I imagine this is a pretty common problem, but I haven't been able to find much. Is this likely a 'replace' issue or can they be repaired? Thanks

[meeceboy78]

i will be watching this thread as i have the same issue on my 83is...

[cgifool]

I did a little youtube research on this and the most often recommended thing was to extend the belts all the way and wash them well.

[hotdish]

I did a little youtube research on this and the most often recommended thing was to extend the belts all the way and wash them well.

I lubricated the mechanisms on mine when I had them removed and it helped a little. That and washing the belts is probably the way to go.

[epmedia]

I wonder if silicone spray would help. ie: pull the belt out all the way and then spray in there while the belt is retracting.

https://www.berrymanproducts.com/22-...ilicone-spray/

*I'm not sure if it will get on your clothes after it 'dries'.

[tlapham]

I haven't had much success. After lubricating and cleaning didn't work, I tried taking one apart.... definitely not going back together after that. Coil springs everywhere...

[tonyrio]

Neither of the front seat belts of my '80is will retract. I imagine this is a pretty common problem, but I haven't been able to find much. Is this likely a 'replace' issue or can they be repaired? Thanks

I d the same Exact problem on my 97 e36 328i. Both front seatbelts wouldnt retract. Had no idea how to fix it, Tried just about everything there was to do. I even Took them apart thinking i could fix them myself. I actually think i messed them up even worse. then i found this SEAT BELT REPAIR shop that was like a couple towns away, in Westfield Massachusetts, USA ( for all you Internationals.) Its called MySafetybelts.com
Amazing customer service. they hooked me up Cheap too. i brought them my seatbelts and like 3 days later i picked them up. i totally recommend them. They ship anywhere in the world too. Now I learned my lesson, not going to try to fix my own belts ever again. Trust the professionals.