How to remove interior panel for seatbelt removal
 

I am replacing my front black seatbelts with red. The first two bits are easy, removing the large bolts. However, now I have to get to the housing that coils the seatbelts and it resides inside an interior panel by the rear passenger.

I removed all screws, but honestly, I don't see any easy answer. Do I actually go from underneath and now pull out the interior panel? Looks/feels scary.

Thanks for the help!

Update on steps to replace your stock black seatbelts with red or whatever color you choose.

Approx time: 2hrs (2.5 really for me juggling the kids)

1. Remove bolt on floor board
2. Remove bolt on door panel
3. Remove bolt from inside interior panel (many steps to do so)
3A. Remove 2 screws on cover going into interior panel from seat belts
3B. Remove 4 screws on window panel trim
3C. Remove 4 screws on rear deck, remove leather decking or place to side if seatbelts installed
3D. Gently pry away interior panel up and toward back of car to separate from door trim.
3E. Now remove single bolt, removing seatbelt retractor housing unit
4. Remove seatbelts from interior panel by removing cap removed in step 3A (sliced in back to pull away from belts)
5. Push clip and door panel clip back through hole
6. Put red seatbelts back through interior panel
7. Tighten single bolt on bottom of retractor unit housing (step 3E)
8. Tighten single door panel bolt (step 2)
9. Tighten bolt on floor panel (step 1)
10. Replace interior panel
11. Replace window panel trim
12. Replace rear decking
13. Screw on cap to interior panel seatbelt trim (2 screws)


Note: if your new seatbelts don't pull out, ensure you hold them exactly like they sit in the car, pulling very slow. Once they are inside car, this is a non issue.

Been a few years, but I think the rear deck has to come out first.

Greg H.

Yep, top trim had 4 screws I took out and then removed.

I can get my fingers under the panel, but not sure if I'm going to break something if I try to remove.

I , too, have a black/black '97 TT. Last Fall I had the front black seatbelts replaced with red ones (contracted the labor out). You will LOVE the red look. I swear I can't go anywhere now without someone commenting on how much they love the car! I know i did not get that many compliments when i had black seatbelts. Little change....big result!:rockon:

Greg, that was the ticket. I removed the deck lid as well, then I could remove the side panel, after removing the top strip.

Thanks!

Yep, I agree, its going to pop real nice like.

If you haven't already done so, now would be a good time to delete the rear wiper.

Greg H.

Already done by PO, MarkD.

Ok, really dumb question. How do I now get the seatbelt through the panel?

Thanks-
Tony

Take off that plastic trim it runs through on the side panel. There is a slot in the back of it.

Edit - looks like you already did. I thought there was a slot in it, maybe not.

Greg H.

Thanks Greg, that was an obvious one after you said it. I was stumped.

Ok, now I'm ready to slide the red on in through the interior panel.
Another issue: I can't retract the seatbelt right now, either one. Is there
a trick after taking these out of the box?

Thanks again,
Tony

<edit> I'm a little slow it appears... :(

I was in there just recently installing the DAS bar...didn't pull the seatbealts through the panel, but looks pretty easy, you just have to do the following:
1. loose/remove side panel
2. undo the plastic piece the seatbelt goes through in the side panel as you've done in your picture above
3. slide the plastic off the seatbelt via the split in the plastic piece
4. undo seatbelt from floor near front seat
5. stuff seatbelt thru hole in side panel

Here's a picture of it the assembly:
http://www.autoatlanta.com/porsche-parts/993/812-00.php

I appreciate the help.

I'm at #5, but I can't see to pull the seatbelt out of the retractor. Not sure why
and I wont be able to install if I can't.

Same problem?

Thanks

Easy....... Rest the seatbelt assembly against a counter top as it you would install it in the car. You want it in the same position when it is installed. Gently tug on the seatbelt as you move the assembly around slightly. It is tricky, but you'll get it.

Like Chuck says, the seat belt reel must be oriented just like in the car, pointed EXACTLY straight up. Just a few degrees off and it is locked up...it thinks your car has been in an accident and is starting to roll over.

Also, once you get it working, pull it almost all the way out, then double over a section of the belt and tie a simple overhand knot in the doubled over end to prevent it from retracting into the reel. I did this when putting my DAS bar in....if I can remember, I'll try to post a pic later tonight.

When re-installing, double check the direction the belt runs so you don't get swapped around....easy to do. If you haven't removed them both yet....DON'T. Do 1 at a time so you have the other side as a reference.

Greg, Keith, Chuck, and MarkD on the Iphone chat, thank you for all of the help. The final head scratcher was the seatbelt not pulling out, and yes, take it slow and just like how it sits in the car.

Overall that took me about 2.5hrs, could have been more without your help. Next time it will be alot less.

I think I will return the favor and do a DIY for the next guy tomorrow. I'm exhausted!! Looks sweet though like Parnelli said it would.

Just did this install last week, feel your "pain" :) Was confused "panic" when the seat belt wouldnt extend from the retractor when it wasn't totally upright. Red seat belts are the bomb :)