Wash your seat belt!

**zellamay** · 01-21-2020, 02:44 PM

Not sure where I read about this, maybe here. My seat belt has never retracted well. I washed it with heavy laundry soap and light scrubbing. Unbelievable how much the wash water got black. Now it retracts like new, almost.

**Andryuha** · 01-21-2020, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by zellamay

Not sure where I read about this, maybe here. My seat belt has never retracted well. I washed it with heavy laundry soap and light scrubbing. Unbelievable how much the wash water got black. Now it retracts like new, almost.

Interesting. How did you go about washing it? Just curious about the technique.

**328 Power 04** · 01-21-2020, 05:42 PM

I always figured RugDoctor + upholstery attachment.

I really need to do this to some of the cars.

**zellamay** · 01-21-2020, 05:51 PM

I put a bucket of very warm water on the seat, probably 3 gallons, with enough laundry soap for a whole load of clothes. I pulled out the seat belt and clamped so it couldn't retract. I soaked for about 15 minutes. I scrubbed the available material on both sides against the side of the bucket. Repeat, without the scrub part, with rinse water. Placed it over the steering wheel to dry overnight.

**IndianaRoadster** · 01-22-2020, 12:56 AM

I've got to take my seats out this winter to replace the seat bushings, that would be a good time to wash the belts. Hey thanks for the tip.

**rf900rkw** · 01-22-2020, 10:56 AM

Just remember that this bit of woven nylon has an important job, so be conservative with the caustic chemicals.

**CLOWN5HOE** · 01-22-2020, 05:01 PM

I did this and if fixed the slow retract problem. Works great. Bucket of hot detergent water was NASTY after letting it soak.

**ZGator** · 01-23-2020, 06:24 PM

must do too, mine is so slow, it was mentioned in a past post, I planned to but procrastinated.. Ok - so warm bucket of water with soapy non-caustic cleaner, soak, brush, flush until clean, let dry extended. I was probably just going to run it through a hot soapy towel then a wet towel but that sounds better.

**jclausen** · 01-26-2020, 10:29 AM

My beige seat belt I'd is very dirty and I've been thinking how to clean it, thanks for the tip

**Allan Parsons** · 01-28-2020, 01:49 PM

Gave me a guilt complex !! So I washed mine today. Now with that said my "Z" is always garaged,under a cover,and never driven in the rain.The wash water was black and it took 3 rinses to get reasonably clear water. Anxious to see how well the retraction mechanism works now.

**TexaZ3** · 01-28-2020, 10:09 PM

Easier if you remove the belt.

**cyberman** · 09-04-2020, 03:32 PM

I tried this (dish soap in warm water & rinse) and it didn't help much. Not much dirt came out. I think the 25 year-old springs are just worn out as they hardly have enough retraction force to lift the metal buckles. I'm wondering if I should obtain a used pair off ebay and have these guys do their number on it: https://www.safetyrestore.com/bmw-z3...-accident.html

They mention "seat belt is retracting slowly". I don't expect they replace the springs, but maybe a good cleaning and lubrication would help.

**zellamay** · 09-04-2020, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by cyberman

I tried this (dish soap in warm water & rinse) and it didn't help much. Not much dirt came out. I think the 25 year-old springs are just worn out as they hardly have enough retraction force to lift the metal buckles. I'm wondering if I should obtain a used pair off ebay and have these guys do their number on it: https://www.safetyrestore.com/bmw-z3...-accident.html

They mention "seat belt is retracting slowly". I don't expect they replace the springs, but maybe a good cleaning and lubrication would help.

I'm no cleaning expert, but i would use laundry soap, not dish soap. That might be the reason not much dirt came out. I and others have reported black water after washing.

**cyberman** · 09-04-2020, 05:23 PM

but i would use laundry soap, not dish soap

Thanks, I'll give it a try. I'm stalled in most everything else and would love to have success at something!

**CoconutPete** · 09-04-2020, 06:57 PM

Call it a copout but I was thinking about buying a replacement from the dealer. Has anyone done this? Or is the pricing just stupid?

**zellamay** · 09-04-2020, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by CoconutPete

Call it a copout but I was thinking about buying a replacement from the dealer. Has anyone done this? Or is the pricing just stupid?

Pricing aside, it's easier to clean it than to replace it.

**cyberman** · 09-04-2020, 09:31 PM

Pricing: I think FCP Euro has the parts - $319 each side if I'm not mistaken.

I took a brief look at replacing, and just the R&R looked like a PITA to me.

**cyberman** · 09-05-2020, 09:59 PM

Pricing aside, it's easier to clean it than to replace it.

Ok, so I played washer women (no offense gals) for an hour today with a genuine Tide Plus pod. This time I unbolted the belts (another PITA) and soaked those puppies down good, then rinsed and rinsed. Didn't do shit and no detectable dirt in said wash or rinse waters.

Maybe my early production classic doesn't have the same dirt absorbent belts of later models. In fact the extremely thin 100% nylon is, if anything too thin. When the tired old springs try to retract the driver's belt, the flimsy thing folds itself into a V shape and promptly jams itself into the bottom of the seat belt guide and slowly retracting turns into no retracting.

That's it for now, will live with the problem until I win that million dollar lottery and Ed McMann (is he still alive) finally delivers the check.

Oh, and after a morning of work, my glovebox is repaired with a new latch mechanism and resting in its proper place. I'm still missing so many fastener anchors I'm afraid the thing is going to projectile into my partners lap and still considering squirting some construction adhesive in to permanently put it in its place.

**Roubik** · 09-13-2020, 05:31 AM

Removing the belts from the z3 coupe are absolute PITA, roadster is simpler, if belts are worn and not happy with the color or the condition, remove the belts and send them to Seat Belt Restore or call 855-552-7233, the variety of colors they have is incredible, I sent them the black belts from my imola m coupe, they sent me Pictures of some red belt material they had, after agreeing on the red I was happy with, a week later my new seat belts came in, looks amazing and very happy/satisfied with these folks, would recommend it wholeheartedly. They would replace each seat belt for less than $100 usually, but might have a sale going on now.