Cannot retract passenger seat belt - HELP!

[sasha]

My passenger side seat belt has been fully pulled out and there is no travel left in the roller mechanism to gently tug the belt to release the ratchet/teeth that are currently holding the belt in its current position.

A bit like an errant roller blind.

I have pulled back the surrounding panel to try and have a closer look and it looks like the roller is a sealed unit, which for obvious reasons I would prefer not to tinker with.

Has anyone encountered this frustrating problem?

 

[Ian B Walker]

It once happened to me and I jacked the car up at one end then jiggled the belt. It worked but may have been a fluke.

 

[sasha]

interesting, and i am willing to try anything!!!

 

[Brian WH]

A gentle thump on the side of the unit whilst pulling the belt may also release the ratchet mate.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[sasha]

do you think TAPPING it with a hammer may harm it?

point is i have not got enough space to reach in with my arm and give it a worthwhile thump

urrr kind of impossible question to answer really - soz!

 

[Brian WH]

do you think TAPPING it with a hammer may harm it?

point is i have not got enough space to reach in with my arm and give it a worthwhile thump

urrr kind of impossible question to answer really - soz!

Try the handle end only mate.