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Restraints - Seat Belts Retract Slowly

Classification: RS01-002B

Reference:

Date: November 12, 2009

"D" RING RESIDUE CAN CAUSE SLOW SEAT BELT RETRACTION

This bulletin amends ITB01-003a. Please discard all previous versions of this bulletin.

APPLIED VEHICLES:
2003-2008 FX35/FX45 (S50)
2003-2007 G35 Coupe (CV35)
2003-2006 G35 Sedan (V35)
2000-2004 I30/I35 (CA33)
2002-2006 Q45 (F50)
2000-2003 QX4 (JR50)
2004-2007 QX56 (JA60)

IF YOU CONFIRM





Seat belt retraction of the front seat belt(s) is slow, caused by "residue" build-up on the "D" ring(s).

ACTION

Use the "D" ring cleaning and refurbishing kit to:

^ Clean the residue off of the "D" rings.

^ Apply fluorine resin tape to the "D" rings.

IMPORTANT:
The purpose of "ACTION" (above) is to give you a quick idea of the work you will be performing. You MUST closely follow the entire Service Procedure as it contains information that is essential to successfully completing this repair.





PARTS INFORMATION





CLAIMS INFORMATION

SERVICE PROCEDURE





1. Pull the affected seat belt more than 20 inches (500 mm) out of the B pillar seat belt retractor mechanism (see Figure 2).

2. Attach a binder clip (or similar clamping device) to the seat belt at the base of the retractor mechanism to allow for slack in the seat belt (see Figure 2).

CAUTION:
Be careful not to damage the seat belt fabric when attaching or removing the clip.





3. Insert the "D" ring cleaning wire under the seat belt; between the belt and the "D" ring (see Figure 3).

^ The "D" ring cleaning wire is provided in the kit that's listed in the Parts Information.





4. Pull the wire back and forth across the surface of the "D" ring.

^ Make sure all residue is removed from the "D" ring in all areas where it contacts the seat belt

NOTE:
^ It is very important to remove all residue build-up from the "D" ring.

^ If you don't remove all residue build-up, the fluorine resin tape won't stick properly.





5. Peel off the top (smaller) backing sheet from one of the fluorine resin tapes (see Figure 5).

^ Two fluorine resin tape pieces are provided in the kit.





6. Place the fluorine resin tape (adhesive side toward you) against the seat belt as shown in Figure 6A.

NOTE:
^ The sticky half should be down, toward the floor of the vehicle.

^ The unexposed (not sticky yet) half should be up, toward the ceiling of the vehicle.

Note the following before performing steps 7 and 8:

^ Once the fluorine resin tape is applied to the "D" ring, it cannot be repositioned.

^ Take care to properly attach the tape to the "D" ring.

^ Center the tape correctly on the "D" ring and smoothly apply it to the "D" ring surface so that no wrinkles or ridges are present.

^ Wrinkles or ridges in the tape may prevent the seat belt from moving smoothly through the "D" ring. If this should occur, replace the tape with a new piece.

7. Pull on the top of the seat belt to roll the tape up and around the "D" ring (see Figure 6B).





8. As the tape rolls up to the "D" ring, center and smooth the tape around the back side of the "D" ring. Press the bubbles and wrinkles out with your fingers (see Figure 7).





9. Peel off the remaining tape backing (see Figure 8A).

10. Carefully apply the tape around the remainder of the "D" ring. Press down the edges and make sure there are no wrinkles (see Figure 8B).





11. Pull the seat belt back and forth against the tape-covered "D" ring to ensure that the tape is firmly applied (see Figure 9).

12. Remove the binder clip from the seat belt.

13. Confirm the seat belt moves smoothly and quickly through the "D" ring.

^ Latch and unlatch it. Allow it to retract back into the retractor mechanism several times.

14. Repeat steps 1 through 13 on the remaining front seat belt.