W209 Rear Seatbelt Problem

[Mike Edwards]

The driver's side rear seat belt on my CLK won't wind more than half way back in to it's holder.

Is this a common problem and can it be fixed or do I need a new seat belt?

Any 'How To' guides to help find where the seat belt is actually mounted and how to get to it?

 

[grumpyoldgit]

A quick google returned the following link, but reading through it, it sounds anything but easy. If you do tackle this yourself, be sure to read all the safety warnings. There are several links to pdf files within the write up which you will need to download that explain the procedure.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=mercedes%202005%20clk%20rear%20seat%20belt%20repair&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CEQQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.benzworld.org%2Fforums%2Fw209-clk-class%2F1537461-clk-cab-seat-belt-not-retracting.html&ei=eKU9UYvgMcj17AaaiYCIAg&usg=AFQjCNFjrhq6ypSfdfqUYlRCrhpKLcZ8Ag&bvm=bv.43287494,d.ZGU

 

[Clkrichard]

Before you embark on a major stripdown have you tried pulling the belt out and spraying the inner webbing with PTFE ? It may cure the problem but if not it costs little money or time to find out.

 

[Mike Edwards]

It's very strange, if you pull it all the way out about half of it goes back in fine but nothing I do seems to get the last few feet to go back in. There doesn't seem to be any damage to the belt or differences in surface, etc. either.

 

[Clkrichard]

Does it feel like the mechanism is jamming or is it just reluctant to fully wind back ?
Several of us have found the PTFE spray has cured our front belts so its worth a try on your rears perhaps ?

 

[Mike Edwards]

It pulls the belt strongly back and then stops quickly at the same point.

If I can work out how to take the C-pillar trim off I'll take a closer look but suspect that is going to be a big job.

 

[Clkrichard]

That does sound more like a mechanism issue rather than just the fabric binding but I would still try spraying PTFE first just because thats so easy to do !

 

[Mike Edwards]

Which PTFE spray do you recommend?

 

[Clkrichard]

Preferably a "dry" one if you are spraying on to webbing

Halfords | Motorex PTFE Dry Lubricant Spray 200ml

 

[Carrsey]

The front seat belt on my 209 are very slow to retract, where exactly do you spray this on to the belt..

 

[Clkrichard]

On the inner webbing accessed by pulling the belt all the way out

 

[Carrsey]

On the inner webbing accessed by pulling the belt all the way out

Is it just the first few inches you spray or all the way along the belt..

 

[Clkrichard]

I would try a few inches at a time so you minimise the spray to the inner part which should never make contact with your clothes

 

[Mike Edwards]

Halfords didn't have the Motorex in the store so I went for a similar 3-In-One version. Being an idiot I then picked up the wrong can from the shelf so need to go back another time.

On the plus side I did find a new rear seat belt on eBay for 30 quid which I bought just in case. If the PTFE spray solution fixes it then I can put it back on eBay.

 

[Clkrichard]

Let us know how this goes Mike ?

 

[Mike Edwards]

Now that I finally have the replacement seat belt sorted I'm going to try the PTFE spray on the old belt later this week.

 

[Mike Edwards]

Can report that the PTFE spray made no difference at all to the rear seat belt that stops before it is fully retracted. If anything it made it lock up more easy when trying to pull it out.

Haven't tried in on the others that are merely a bit sticky. Maybe this weekend.

 

[Clkrichard]

Oh well Mike it was worth a try !
Looks like you now have a refit job ahead of you ....

 

[thsau]

More info:
AdF.ly - shrink your URLs and get paid!

 

[Mike Edwards]

Anyone know the torque settings for the rear seat belt mounts?