Seatbelt Source?

[scottevest]

My seatbelts do not retract properly, and was told that I need to completely replace them with this kit. Candidly, seems odd to me to replace everything if only the retraction is not working well, but wanted to get your input. Thanks.

1972-1974 BMW E9 Front Seat Belts | SeatbeltPlanet

Replace the driver and passenger seat belts in your 1972-1974 BMW E9 with our front seat belt kit. Each kit comes with 2 retractable shoulder seat belts.

www.seatbeltplanet.com

 

[boonies]

I just finished installing a set of retractable belts that I purchased from a member here @bluedevils. Don’t remember the price, but he sent the belts that matched up with my type of receiver.

 

[HB Chris]

My seatbelts do not retract properly, and was told that I need to completely replace them with this kit. Candidly, seems odd to me to replace everything if only the retraction is not working well, but wanted to get your input. Thanks.

1972-1974 BMW E9 Front Seat Belts | SeatbeltPlanet

Replace the driver and passenger seat belts in your 1972-1974 BMW E9 with our front seat belt kit. Each kit comes with 2 retractable shoulder seat belts.

www.seatbeltplanet.com

Wrong belts, on your 74 the retractor is behind the rear seat side panels, it has to operate horizontally, a standard retractor won’t work as they are vertical. Contact Al, @bluedevils and tell him you have a 74, his belts are plug and play.

 

[x_atlas0]

+1 on Al, he was very helpful with my belt issues.

 

[m73]

I agree. Al is great to work with

 

[scottevest]

OMG. I recall I had this issue before, and it seems that Al, see below, previously refurbished this in 2018. I need to find out from my shop precisely what is wrong and let Al know. Seems that it has never worked properly as far as I remember.

Scott;

Seat belt is ready, just finished it. Please paypal $229.00 to


[email protected]

 

[HB Chris]

If the mounting bolt has loosened it may be pointing downwards and won’t release or maybe it is binding on the rear armrest.

 

[dang]

If the mounting bolt has loosened it may be pointing downwards and won’t release or maybe it is binding on the rear armrest.

Scott, in other words, there is only a small deviation from 90degs where the retractor works. If it moves up or down just a small amount it either locks or randomly locks while retracting the belt.

 

[bavbob]

Scott,
1) I had similar issues with my E3, about 6 years ago. I sent it to Al and he fixed the retraction. After screwing up winding of clocks as a kid, I knew better than to open that thing.
2) Yes, gotta be perfectly vertical, very temperamental.

 

[jefflit]

FWIW, I'll throw out a nod to https://www.ssnake-oyl.com/ Dumb name for a company IMHO but I recently used them to fix some unobtainum seatbelts in my 72 Ferrari and they did a great job. The plastic retainer portion of the buckle had broken into multiple bits. I have no idea how they had the parts to fix it (or made them) but it came back perfect. They even replaced the original date tags after re-webbing.

 

[Wobdog]

I just replaced my seatbelts with new ones from Seat Belt planet. Was VERY happy and reasonable Steve was amazing. If interested I can send details

 

[JFENG]

Scott
Make sure your belt isn’t encountering too much friction where it comes out/in of the rear side trim. It doesn’t take much friction to thwart the wimpy retraction spring

 

[x_atlas0]

Along those lines JFENG, I have seen some pics of coupes with various spacers or other means of reducing that friction. Does anyone have a source for a part for this? I couldn't find anything on realoem, and sure enough, my belts are squeezed between the door card and the rear arm rest tightly, preventing good retraction.

 

[JFENG]

Along those lines JFENG, I have seen some pics of coupes with various spacers or other means of reducing that friction. Does anyone have a source for a part for this? I couldn't find anything on realoem, and sure enough, my belts are squeezed between the door card and the rear arm rest tightly, preventing good retraction.

I would think you could bias/cut one of those plastic seat belt sleeves and glue it to the door card so the end of the sleeve was slightly recessed and mostly not visible.

Lots of possible choices here:

Seat Belt Covers, Sleeves, & More | SeatbeltPlanet

We have the seat belt covers and accessories you've been looking for! Shop SeatbeltPlanet for a wide selection of plastic sleeve covers in multiple colors.

www.seatbeltplanet.com

 

[Dan Wood]

I bought seat belts from Seatbelts Plus and they are working in the horizontal position (post 15).

Seat belts / British ? anybody try these yet ?

Has anyone tried these ? They look like a non-stock safety item that could be useful.....Any thoughts https://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Automatic-Seat-Belt-For-Bmw-3-0-CS-Coupe-1967-1975-Black/183622304765?hash=item2ac0be03fd:g:JNMAAOSwRUpe48MU

e9coupe.com

 

[HB Chris]

Along those lines JFENG, I have seen some pics of coupes with various spacers or other means of reducing that friction. Does anyone have a source for a part for this? I couldn't find anything on realoem, and sure enough, my belts are squeezed between the door card and the rear arm rest tightly, preventing good retraction.

Your coupe did not come with a retractor behind rear side arm rest, it was fixed and not retractable. This fixed method was used until the roof mount was added mid-72 and modified in 74 to add a retractor but the arm rest is wider to accommodate it.

 

[x_atlas0]

HB Chris-

Mine was imported to the US in the 80s, so it has an Autoflug retractor for the front seats located at the bottom anchor point used for the rear seat belts. It angles up to the hook at the top of the rear door card. My car also has the roof point based on feeling around the headliner. So the retractor is pulling the seat belt between the card and the arm rest right now.

 

[HB Chris]

That explains your problem, if you want a retractor back there it needs to be mounted higher like a 74 except that the 74 armrest has a cutout for the belt and it is also wider. The fixed upper mount in the rear through 73 can't be used, it was specifically modified for the 74. Also, a belt mounted that low is very dangerous as that belt hanger is not strong enough to hold the belt in a crash. Trust me on this, my wife is a paralegal and handled seatbelt cases for Toyota and Nissan.

 

[x_atlas0]

So I need to get some 74 rear armrests and move the retractor to the upper position? Although you said the upper position also won't work since it's a 1972 model year? I do see a spot for it, about 2/3rds the way up the wheel well. What's wrong with that location?

I guess my main question is, then, what should I change my seat belts to? I have a total of 3 mounting locations I can see: the current lower, an upper on the wheel well, and the headliner. I do want to be as safe as possible.

 

[HB Chris]

The rear upper mount is still too low for the 74 retractor, there are pics in a thread with how it would look. Finding rear 74 armrests is also tough. Best option is to use your roof mount with the retractor mounted to inner sill behind front seat, there is a nut there for a seat belt anchor. @bluedevils here makes excellent belts.