Automatic Seatbelt C124 series

[MenzBenz]

Hi, i had problems with the seatbelt presenter on my E220 coupe.
The belt would retract too far and push the black trim surround off when coming out again. I noticed an adjustment in the form of a black plastic peg and so after doing the drivers side attempted same on passenger side.
To my horror while the peg was out the seatbelt retracted and now refuses to come out at all
I assume its got jammed as it has retracted too far, any ideas on removing rear trim and fixing, not attempted yet thought i would get advice first as not a job im familiar with.
All responses greatfully recieved.

ps. have read about seatbelt pretensioners that are fitted to these models to prevent tripping over seatbelt when getting in and out of car from rear seats, not fitted to mine though? Is this correct?

 

[Dieselman]

Hi, i had problems with the seatbelt presenter on my E220 coupe.
The belt would retract too far and push the black trim surround off when coming out again. I noticed an adjustment in the form of a black plastic peg and so after doing the drivers side attempted same on passenger side.
To my horror while the peg was out the seatbelt retracted and now refuses to come out at all
I assume its got jammed as it has retracted too far, any ideas on removing rear trim and fixing, not attempted yet thought i would get advice first as not a job im familiar with.
All responses greatfully recieved.

ps. have read about seatbelt pretensioners that are fitted to these models to prevent tripping over seatbelt when getting in and out of car from rear seats, not fitted to mine though? Is this correct?

Not sure about the trim removal but a careful look should tell all.

Pre-tensioers are for tensioning the belt in the case of an crash. They move the belt buckle backwards to tighten the belt.

 

[Apial]

Not sure about the trim removal but a careful look should tell all.

Pre-tensioners are for tensioning the belt in the case of an crash. They move the belt buckle backwards to tighten the belt.

You are on the wrong track dieselman, the tensioners that are being referred to are the black plastic arms at the sill mounting points. These are pivoted under tension using a clock type spring. When the front seatbelts are not in use the tension pulls the belt down and allows the arm to sit flat on the floor. This stops rear passengers from tripping over it.

The spring has a habit of either snapping, or not being put back properly after the black rubber triangle is replaced. Its an easy cheap fix either way.

 

[Dieselman]

You are on the wrong track dieselman, the tensioners that are being referred to are the black plastic arms at the sill mounting points. These are pivoted under tension using a clock type spring. When the front seatbelts are not in use the tension pulls the belt down and allows the arm to sit flat on the floor. This stops rear passengers from tripping over it.

The spring has a habit of either snapping, or not being put back properly after the black rubber triangle is replaced. Its an easy cheap fix either way.

Yes I know what you mean, but was confused because the description said pretensioners.

Thanks.

 

[imadoofus]

My driver's side presenter kept presenting me with the triangular trim as well as the belt. I didn't see a little peg(?), but on investigation, found the surround the trim sits in is hardboard, the edges of which were damaged, presumably by the trim tearing out.

I used three drops of superglue on the inside of the trim piece to fix it to the housing, and bingo. Problem solved.

Dunno what you've done, but as regards the passenger side, I'm tempted to say if it ain't broke.....

PJ

 

[guydewdney]

assuming the 124 is siilar tot the 140 coupe:-

remove rear seat 'squab (bottom) by popping clips at seat front edge and lifting.

reove seat back by undoing 10mm spanner bolt at bottom of seat back.

remove side covering by removing screw at bottom into base (phillips). Remove side covering behind passenger grip arm y pulling forward and 'lifting' out. (difficult to describe). remove screws from behind panel.

lift whole panel off.

should give you a fw pointers, if not the whole story.

 

[MenzBenz]

Thanks

Thanks for all the replys, will have a go at removing that panel!

DIESELMAN, sorry about confusion over seatbelt, was referring to what apail said. nonetheless, still informative.

APAIL, Where do i get the springs from please as had a few passengers tripping already?

THANKYOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP

 

[del320]

The spring will be there - it just requires retensioning. Whoever last changed the worn-through triangular plastic belt feed didn't bother. For a simple job, it's actually a swine as there is always the danger of it flying off into the shrubbery.

Separate the two halves of the rigid plastic sleeve attached to the lower belt mounting and you will fing a cogged disc with a concentric spring arranged round the mounting bolt. Make two U-shaped devices, each from about 3 inches of wire coathanger and sharpen the four ends (approx inch apart).

It will become apparent how you need to tension the spring on the cog with one piece of wire whilst you hold it in place with the other one. You'll find holes moulded to insert the wire. Then, if you have three hands, each with six fingers the size of monkeys, you simply hold the whole lot steady whilst you clip it all together.

A bit of common sense and imagination is also required as you don't want to over-tension the spring otherwise the sleeve will bind as it rises past the vertical when the belt is used.

Guy is more or less correct - for a 124, lower the rear headrests first - the seat backrest is located at the top over a pair of hooks so you need clearance to lift it up and off. Always come off easier than they go back on.

Two phillips screws hold armrest after which window switch can be slid off and disconnected. Remember to remove chrome plate on door post. Work with windows down for better access.

Panel is 'hooked' into channel and again comes off easier than putting back on as it is awkward to relocate and you don't want to damage or bend the metal trim strip. Remember the belt is threaded through all this so pull it out fully as you place the panel outside against side of car.

Unless you can do this in a garage, wait for a warm sunny day and use the opportunity to vacuum out the fruit gums, 5p pieces and shards of glass you may find!

Good luck

 

[Apial]

Both of mine were non-functioning at 50K miles. One had a snapped spring, the other had just not been tensioned. You can get new ones from your dealer with no fuss.

Funny how you can get obscure parts like these, but you can't get any floor mats?