Check Belt Webbing

Seat Belts

Check belt webbing
- Pull belt completely out of retractor or lap belt adjustment tongue.
- Inspect belt webbing for contamination and, if necessary, wash with mild soap solution.

- If one of the types of damage (1 and 2) shown in the following is detected on a vehicle which has been in an accident-seatbelt must be replaced completely with 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 similar.

Check retractor (locking function)
The belt retractor 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 function -replace compete seat belt with belt latch.
- If difficulties are experienced when pulling out or retracting belt, first check whether position of 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 20 km/h and then perform a full braking maneuver with foot brake.

- If the locking mechanism does not lock the seat belt during the braking maneuver, the complete seat belt with belt latch must be replaced.

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

Visually check belt latch
- Inspect belt buckle for cracks and chipping.
- If damage is discovered, replace complete seat belt with belt latch.

Check belt latch function

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

Check release mechanism:
- Release seat belt by pressing button on belt latch with finger pressure.
- When belt is slack, locking tongue must spring out of belt buckle on its own.
- Perform test at least 5 times. If belt tongue fails even only once to spring out of buckle, complete seat belt with belt buckle must be replaced.

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

Check belt guides and locking tongue

The plastic-covered guides show fine parallel scoring after straining belt system (belt was fastened during 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, chipping and cracks in plastic.
- If scoring and/or damage is discovered, replace complete seat belt with belt latch.

Check securing components and anchorage points
- Latch bracket deformed (stretched)
- Height adjuster not functional
- Anchorage points (seat, pillar, vehicle floor) distorted or thread damaged
- If damage is discovered on these components, replace complete seat belt with belt latch.
- Replace anchorage points.

NOTE: In damage is discovered that is not accident-related, e.g. wear, replace the particular part which is damaged.