Seat Belt Systems: Testing and Inspection

WARNING: After every accident, the seat belt system must be carefully inspected! If any damage is discovered when inspecting the check points, the customer must be in formed that it is necessary to replace the belts.

Check Points:
- Check belt webbing
- Check belt reel (locking effect)
- Visually check belt buckles (latches)
- Check belt latch function
- Check belt guides and lock tongue
- Check securing parts and anchorage points
- Checking lap belt automatic retractor

NOTE: If the customer refuses to have a damaged seat belt replaced, an appropriate note should be made on the repair order

Belt Webbing, Checking:
- Pull belt completely out of belt reel or lap belt adjustment tongue.
- Inspect belt straps for dirt and, if necessary, wash with mild soap solution ==> also refer to Owner's Manual.
- If either of the following illustrated damage examples (-1- or -2-) are found on a vehicle that has been involved in an accident, replace seat belt complete with belt latch.

Example 1:

Cut, torn or chafed belt webbing.

Example 2:

Tears on edges of belt webbing.

Example 3:

Burn spots, such as from cigarettes or similar materials.

- If damage as illustrated in examples -1-, -2- or -3- is found on vehicle that has not been involved in an accident, it is sufficient to replace damaged belt only.

Checking Inertia Reel (locking Effect):
- Inertia reel has two locking functions.
- First locking function is initiated by belt being jerked out of reel (belt extraction acceleration).

1st Check:
- Pull belt out of inertia reel with firm jerk.
- No locking effect - replace seat belt complete with belt latch.
- If difficulties are experienced when pulling belt out or reeling belt in, first check whether position of inertia reel has been altered.
- Second locking function is initiated by change in vehicle movement sequence (vehicle-dependent locking function).

2nd Check:
- Fasten seat belt.
- Accelerate vehicle to 20 km/h (12 mph) and then perform an emergency braking maneuver with foot brake.
- If seat belt is not locked by looking mechanism during braking procedure, seat belt complete with belt latch must be replaced.

WARNING: For safety reasons, road test should be done on a traffic-free stretch to ensure that other motorists/pedestrians are not endangered.

Visually Checking Belt Latch
- Inspect belt latch for cracks and breakage.
- If damage is determined, replace seat belt complete with belt latch.

Belt Latch - Functional Check:

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

Checking 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 latch on its own.
- Carry out test at least 5 times. If belt tongue fails even only once to spring out of latch, seat belt complete with belt latch must be replaced.

WARNING: Under no circumstances whatsoever may lubricant be used to eliminate noise or stiffness at belt latch buttons.

Checking Belt Guides And Locking Tongues:
- Plastic-covered guides show, after strain on belt system (when belt was fastened during accident) fine parallel scoring. (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, breakage or cracks in plastic.
- If scoring and/or damage is determined, replace seat belt complete with belt latch.

Checking Securing Parts And Anchorage Points:
- Latch bracket deformed (stretched)
- Height adjustment fitting not working
- Anchorage point (seat, pillar, vehicle floor) distorted or thread damaged
- If damage is determined on these parts, replace seat belt complete with belt latch.
- Replace anchorage points.

NOTE: In case of damage which is not result of an accident, but is caused instead by wear, only the part which is actually damaged need be replaced.