[Jason]

Hi,

I have a problem with the drivers seatbelt on a 2001 Jimny M13a. It's stuck at just the right length that it goes around me but doesn't retract. It locks if I pull hard but still doesn't retract. I think it's probably just full of fluff but I want to fix it. I had a brief look and the mechanism is behind the plastic trim panel and it didn't look to be a 5 minute job.

My question is, is there an easy way to get that whole plastic trim panel out because it goes all the way to the rear and seems to be one single piece?

I've done nothing but put petrol in my Jimny and change the oil every 10000km for the last year but the kms are up to 300,000 now and there were about a dozen little niggly problems and I've sorted most of them but I think this one's going to be a PITA. I even thought about trading in for a car and was surprised to find that I couldn't bear to part with it. Seems I've become quite fond of the thing. And now having fixed most of the problems she's going good again and even considering the high mileage only burns about 1.0lt of oil between oil changes.

[-QIK-]

Jason,

I sent you a PM, I couldnt be stuffed typing out a ten page storey in how to pull it apart....

[Dr_Snapid]

I have a similar problem, not as bad as you, but the belt is always in the door when i go to close it, very annoying. I would like to see any advice on dealing with it, also.

[Dr_Snapid]

-QIK- wrote:

Jason,

I sent you a PM, I couldnt be stuffed typing out a ten page storey in how to pull it apart....

How is a PM easier than a post?

[atari4x4]

Dr_Snapid wrote:

-QIK- wrote:

Jason,

I sent you a PM, I couldnt be stuffed typing out a ten page storey in how to pull it apart....

How is a PM easier than a post?

X2

Now you got the pm done, copy and paste it here...

[Jason]

Thanks -QIK-. He's PM'd me his number so he can explain it over the phone.

So I'm going to give him a ring and have a go at taking it apart tomorrow. I'll try and take some pics as I go and if I'm successful will try and put up a bit of a how-to on Monday.

[bigdogdazza]

Please do as I am also a serial seat belt in door fiend! Gets on my nerves big time!

[-QIK-]

Call me in the morning.....Might be at work from 10:30 onwards.

[Dr_Snapid]

Awesome cant wait, hope qik knows some magic, not too many annoyances in the jimny so getting rid of one is sweeeet

[-QIK-]

I got no call so I take it you had fun?

[Scales]

QIK dude, you may wanna post how exactly you rectified this. there are a few ppl wanting to know by the looks of things, time to give something back bud.

[Dr_Snapid]

Just had a bit of a chat with QIK. I think i'm gonna try and fix it, hopefully with QIK's advice I won't screw up the seatbelt. I'll take pics and do a writeup as I go

It may not be this week because I have too many customers riding me but hopefully not too long, my belt is very annoying

[Scales]

Dr_Snapid wrote:

Just had a bit of a chat with QIK.

No such thing with QIK, hope you took regular breaks.

[-QIK-]

Bitch Scales......

[Scales]

You love it.

Anyway, whats the good oil on these seatbelt reels dude? dont say just spray wd40 in there, tried that.

[kristov]

Scales wrote:

You love it.

Anyway, whats the good oil on these seatbelt reels dude? dont say just spray wd40 in there, tried that.

i dont like using wd40 as a lubricant as it drys up to quickly i recommend u get some lanolin spray works wonders and last alot longer

[Jason]

-QIK- wrote:

I got no call so I take it you had fun?

Sorry mate, I missed the Saturday before work time and spent Sunday on the edge of the Mitchelton fire so didn't get much done.
Will give you a quick ring tonight if that's ok?

[-QIK-]

No worries,

I hope I was able to shed some light on the nastey little retract things. Have fun with them guys..... Remember $500 for a new replacment from Suzuki, so take your time.

[Scales]

uh yeah thanks for sharing the information guys.

[Jason]

Scales wrote:

uh yeah thanks for sharing the information guys.

I haven't had mine apart yet. When I do I will take pics as I go and put the info up. It took QIK 15 minutes to explain it to me and I agree it would be a 10 page essay to try and explain it with words on a page. A picture is worth a thousand words. They are expensive to replace and there's a big watch spring in there that's under tension and if that pops out you're pretty much buggered.

He answered my original question though about how to get to the retractor mechanism as the trim panel is huge. It can be accessed by just unclipping the panel from the inside of the drivers door.

One other important issue that came up in the conversation was about airbags and the seatbelt pretensioners. These are connected and any work involving the seatbelts you should refer to the manual about how to disarm this safety feature, and best to disconnect the battery also. If you are at all unsure about this then do not tamper would be my advice, there are explosives similar to shotgun cartridges in there and should be treated with care.

Hopefully get some pics this weekend.

[Jason]

Pics. I only had to go this far on mine to fix it. The whiteplastic guide was broken and the loose end jammed in the reel.

[Jason]

-QIK-'s info covers how to take the reel apart without ending up with a pile of springs, which is why it would have been a 10 page essay. I didn't have to go that far but was glad to hear that the seatbelt mechanism can be accessed from the driver's door as that whole panel goes right to the back of the wagon and its removal involves removing the back seat first.

[Blakey]

but the rear panels are easy as to take off, take off the 2 screws one in the front next to the rear bench holder, and one in the back near the door seal, take the push clip out a little bit higher then the screw. undo the 2 bolts holding the half rear seat, pull up the little flap on the back of the rear seat and undo the bolt holding the braket on remove the seat then undo the bolt holding the seat bracket to the side of the car, onece thats all out grab the armrest and pull. all the clips should pop out. only ones you need to be wary of are the very rear ones which can be broken off. if pulled in the wrong direction. the whole process is literaly 5-10min and much easier to work on

once its off then there is no need to bend the plastic back like that to get to the front belt spool.

then if you wanted just unbolt the seatbelt completly and work on it on the table so much easier then craping up in the car trying to work on it.