Seat Belts, Inspecting
After every accident the seat belt system must be inspected systematically! If damage is determined when inspecting the check points, customer must be informed regarding necessity of changing belts.
Inspection Points:
- Belt Webbing, Checking
- Retractor, Checking Locking Function
- Belt Latch, Visual Inspection
- Belt Latch, Checking Function
- Belt Guide Rings and Locking Tongue, Checking
- Securing Components and Anchorage Points, Checking
If customer refuses to have a damaged seat belt replaced, appropriate note should be made.
Belt Webbing, Checking
-- Pull belt completely out of retractor or lap belt adjustment tongue.
-- Inspect belt straps for soiling and, if necessary, wash with mild soap solution.
- If a vehicle has been involved in an accident and any of the following damage exists (belt cut, torn or chafed) or (fabric loops at the belt edge torn), replace complete seat belt with buckle.
- If a vehicle has not been involved in an accident and exhibits damage as described below, it is sufficient to replace only the damaged seat belt.
Possible Damages:
Belt webbing cut, torn or chafed.
Webbing loops on belt edge torn.
Burn marks from cigarettes or similar.
Belt edge deformed on one side and/or belt edge area is wavy.
Retractor, Checking Locking Function
The belt retractor has two locking functions.
- The first locking function is initiated by belt being jerked out of the retractor (belt extraction acceleration).
Checking
-- Pull belt webbing out of retractor with a firm jerk.
- No locking effect - replace seat belt complete with belt buckle.
- If difficulties are experienced when pulling out or retracting belt, first check whether position of retractor has been altered.
- The second locking function is initiated by change in vehicle velocity (vehicle-dependent locking function).
Checking
-- Fasten seat belt.
-- Accelerate vehicle to 20 km/h (12 mph) and then perform a full braking maneuver with foot brake.
- Replace seat belt complete with seat belt latch if seat belt is not locked by locking mechanism during braking procedure.
For safety reasons, road test should be carried out on traffic-free stretch to ensure that other motorists/pedestrians etc. are not endangered.
Belt Latch, Visual Inspection:
-- Inspect belt buckle for cracks and fracturing.
- If damaged, replace seat belt complete with belt buckle.
Belt Latch, Checking Function:
-- Insert belt tongue into belt buckle until it clicks into place. Check whether locking mechanism is properly engaged by giving belt webbing a firm jerk.
- Replace seat belt complete with seat belt latch if belt tongue fails even only once to engage properly in seat belt latch during at least 5 tests.
Release Mechanism, Checking:
-- Press the seat belt latch to release the seat belt.
- With the seat belt relaxed, the lock tongue must spring out of seat belt latch without assistance.
- Perform test at least 5 times. Replace the seat belt completely together with the seat belt latch if the lock tongue fails to spring out even once.
Under no circumstances may grease be used to eliminate noise or stiffness at belt buckle buttons.
Belt Guide Rings and Locking Tongue, Checking:
The plastic-covered guides show fine parallel scoring after straining belt system (belt was fastened during accident). (Wear which has been brought about by frequent belt use can be recognized by smooth signs of wear which are free of scoring).
-- Check plastic for deformation, rupture and tearing.
- For groove build-up and/or damage, replace seat belt completely with lock.
Securing Components and Anchorage Points, Checking:
- Latch bracket for deformation (stretched).
- Height adjuster not functional.
- Anchorage points (seat, pillar, vehicle floor) distorted or thread damaged.
- If damage is found at components, replace the seat belt completely with lock.
- Replace anchorage points.
In damage is discovered that is not accident-related, for example, wear, replace the particular part which is damaged.