semicycler

So my 2006 seat belt retract mechanisms are beginning to fail. When stopping the car and unbuckling, both driver's and passenger's seat belts are slow to retract. You almost need to help feed them into the side walls. When the door is open it's a bit easier but still not quite right. It's like the return springs are worn.

So what are my repair options? I think the seat belts have a small explosive in the control mechanism like an airbag. This makes a new replacement quite expensive. My gut says uninstall both seat belts and ship them out to a repair shop for refurbishing rather than buying new replacments.

Thoughts? What would you do?

Petza914

Find a used set in The Marketplace with a WTB ads from someone who "upgraded" to colored seatbelts. The Coupe belts are different than the cab belts so make sure you get the right ones.

semicycler

That's a good idea. I'd like to find a used set from a newer model year though. Are all 997.1 and 997.2 coupe seat belts interchangeable? What about the 991 series, do they work with 997.1 too?

TypeRx

Are the cabriolet belts different for front and rear or just fronts (or rears)? I can't tell from part numbers...

Petza914

The coupe belts have an additional metal piece sliding on the belt that bolts to the B pillar. I don't know about the rears.

TypeRx

Thanks -- I need to replace my yellow belts (911TT Coupe) with black ones and am sourcing used parts now. Seems like there is a plethora of Cab belts out there (?).

79 911SC

I had the dealer install a new one on my 06 when this happened. Spendy ($300-$400 if I recall?) but so much nicer now. Worth it IMO.

semicycler

Just looked up part numbers for my 997.1 coupe. Total parts new for the pair would be $455 plus shipping. The install is not too difficult, just a bunch of interior side panels to remove. I'm going the used route for parts.

Drivers side black: 997-803-033-05-A23 $228
Passengers side black : 997-803-034-13-A23 $228

namronorman

I had a similar issue with my driver's side seat belt retracting slowly. I pulled the belt out all of the way. Holding it out at the base, I then flossed the guide with the belt and the problem resolved itself. This was almost a year ago and it's been fine since.

Saaboteur

I just did the floss - but I used a plastic zip tie. Didn't actually think it would work, but out came several small flakes of plastic. Retracts fine now - based on a test of maybe 15-20 tries. Am putting off pulling the trigger on another set of belts now.

BB997

Not sure I understand "flossing". I have the same issue with my 997.2 and would like to try this method to see if it would help the retract issue. Can you explain it in a little more detail please.

Saaboteur

The belt is secured at the base of the B-pillar, and also on the shoulder. Rather, at the shoulder is a buckle through which the belt slides. I took a zip tie and ran it along the channel, between the belt and the channel itself, on both sides. Took no more than a few minutes.

BB997

Ok, I get it now. Thanks, will give that a try.

mbgroen

Had the same issue with my 997.2. The flossing really works very well, thanks!

FlatHat

I had the same symptoms as you and cleaned the belt as follows to remedy:

1. Mix a bucket of warm water with some laundry detergent
2. Pull seatbelt all the way out and put a wood clamp on the end where it goes into the plastic panel to keep it from retracting
3. Wash the belt a few times, rinse and let dry

This fixed the retract issue completely for me. After 15 years, there is enough oil and dirt on these things to cause enough friction at the retractor to slow it down.