NC 1 Seatbelts don't retract

radar · Postby **radar** » Wed Sep 09, 2015 10:55 pm

Believe its a common problem on NCs.

Mine require a manual feed back.

Any solutions thanks?

(can't find anything under SEARCH)

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Thu Sep 10, 2015 6:49 am

There is a modified shoulder guide but it doesn't fix the problem. Unfortunately, the belts have to be replaced to fix it properly at $$$ - Mazda quality product. :roll:

Charlie Brown · Postby **Charlie Brown** » Fri Sep 11, 2015 8:14 am

Had mine replaced under warranty years ago. It made no difference.
I just live with it.

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Fri Sep 11, 2015 8:47 am

Something I've found that does help a bit:

1. Pull the belt all the way out to full extension and then let it snap back.
2. Do this a few times and it will fully retract, but will still take over a minute to do so.

It almost seems like the stupid thing has some sort of "memory" from the usual extension needed for normal strap-in.

Regie · Postby **Regie** » Fri Sep 11, 2015 9:23 am

I got my belts redone only cause I wanted a different colour. When it was done they put a bit more spring tension on the retracting mechanism. Works like new for the last year

Rolley · Postby **Rolley** » Fri Sep 11, 2015 3:31 pm

The softer webbing used for seatbelts since about the mid 90's seems to draw in dirt and crudd like a magnet.
When I was working at Ford they would only let a belt be replaced after we had attempted to clean it at least twice and even then they would regularly knock back warranty claims.
So giving them a wash is a cheap place to start on finding a solution.

Grab a spray bottle made up with a mild soap and water mix, pull the seatbelt all the way out and use a bulldog clip to hold it out (I'd steal them from the office). Soak the belt well with the soapy water and work it in the length of the belt and then using a clean rag and bucket of water, soak the rag and drag it along the belt repeatedly until the soap is washed out and the water rung
out of the rag was clean.
Leave the belt fully extended until it was completely dry and you're done.

It would work more often than it didn't and you WILL be amazed/horrified by how much dirt you wash out.

Luke.

radar · Postby **radar** » Fri Sep 11, 2015 6:55 pm

Rolley wrote:The softer webbing used for seatbelts since about the mid 90's seems to draw in dirt and crudd like a magnet.
When I was working at Ford they would only let a belt be replaced after we had attempted to clean it at least twice and even then they would regularly knock back warranty claims.
So giving them a wash is a cheap place to start on finding a solution.

Grab a spray bottle made up with a mild soap and water mix, pull the seatbelt all the way out and use a bulldog clip to hold it out (I'd steal them from the office). Soak the belt well with the soapy water and work it in the length of the belt and then using a clean rag and bucket of water, soak the rag and drag it along the belt repeatedly until the soap is washed out and the water rung
out of the rag was clean.
Leave the belt fully extended until it was completely dry and you're done.

It would work more often than it didn't and you WILL be amazed/horrified by how much dirt you wash out.

Luke.

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Fri Sep 11, 2015 8:09 pm

x2 with Rolley. Just washing the webbing can make an amazing difference.

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Fri Sep 11, 2015 9:57 pm

Why is it that this seems to be an NC MX-5 problem? I don't have the issue with our 2009 Mazda6 or our 1998 BMW E36.

Odd · Postby **Odd** » Fri Sep 11, 2015 10:40 pm

I had to get the rear seatbelts replaced to get a road worthy certificate for a 2009 M6
New ones are very expensive....apparently there is a charge on them like airbags that tighten them in an accident
Don't know if NC have a similar system?

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Fri Sep 11, 2015 11:40 pm

JBT wrote:Why is it that this seems to be an NC MX-5 problem? I don't have the issue with our 2009 Mazda6 or our 1998 BMW E36.

You never sweat as much in boring sedan cars.

Rolley · Postby **Rolley** » Sat Sep 12, 2015 6:44 am

I think it is sunscreen and all the extra dust/dirt JBT.
Dust seems to be vacuumed into the cabin when the roof is down and just embeds it's self with sweat and sunscreen... I've never had a car I've had to wipe the interior down in as often as the MX to keep the dust at bay.

Utes and trade vehicles were the worst I dealt with. They could be virtually solid.

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Sat Sep 12, 2015 7:56 am

Odd wrote:....apparently there is a charge on them like airbags that tighten them in an accident Don't know if NC have a similar system?

Yes, pre-tensioners on the MX-5 too. I noticed recently that the rear (outer) belts in the Mazda6 are slowish to retract at times but put that down to being caused by long periods of baby/child seat installation.

I understand the theory behind the dirt/dust/etc. build up, but it's only the last 50cm or so that just hangs out and has to be fed in, and that section never reaches the reel. The driver's side is worst. Mazda insisted on cleaning the belts when the problem first arose during warranty and it had zero effect. I insisted on the modified shoulder guides being fitted which they eventually agreed to. That helped a bit. They refused to replace the belts, even though they knew the car would fail a RWC check because of the slow/nil retraction.

I suppose I can clean them again and see what happens.