Seat Belt - Periodic Inspection
89mercedes01TO: OUR MERCEDES-BENZ PASSENGER CAR DEALERS
DATE: December 1988
REF. NO. MBNA 91/16
SUBJECT: SEAT BELT INSPECTION
Note: Due to continually increasing seat belt usage, we believe the following important information, already published in our literature, merits repeating.
Seat belts which are improperly cared for (e.g. cleaned with inappropriate materials), handled with negligence (e.g. jammed between door and frame, twisted while being retracted etc.) may be subject to damage.
For this reason a visual inspection of the seat belt and its components during each maintenance service is required (refer to job no. 9150).
If the webbing of a seat belt is frayed or cut, or cigarette burns are visible, the customer should be informed and advised to have the seat belt(s) replaced. Chafing marks alone do not call for a renewal of the belt.
Should a customer decline the replacement of a damaged safety belt, an entry to that effect should be made on the respective repair order.
In case of complaints that the seat belt does not retract properly, check that it is not twisted behind the trim panel due to incorrect guiding of the latch plate when storing the belt. Remove the panel to check for a twisted belt.
Replacement of a complete seat belt or any individual damaged component such as the holding rail, automatic locking retractor system or belt lock, depends on the extent of the detectable damage.
FIGURE 1 - A HOLDING RAIL UNDAMAGED B HOLDING RAIL DEFORMED:
FIGURE 2:
FIGURE 3:
Accident Damage Characteristics (Figures 1 through 3 show progressive damage characteristics).
Stage 1
1.1 The holding rail is deformed (Figure 1). The seat cannot be adjusted properly.
Remedy: Replace the holding rail.
1.2 The plastic cover of the holding rail (Figure 2) is deformed. The seat cannot be adjusted properly.
Remedy: Replace the holding rail.
Stage 2
2.1 The holding rail is badly deformed. The seat can no longer be adjusted.
2.2 The automatic locking retractor system does not function.
2.3 The height adjustment anchor at the B-pillar shows visual damage (Figure 3). The height adjustment is very difficult to move.
Remedy: Replace the complete seat belt assembly including the lock and adjustable anchor assembly.