Seat Belts

[tonybav]

Really getting fed up with the Griff seat belts. They keep locking on when I lean forward, then when I get out of the car they do not retract so are in danger of getting trapped in the door and damaging the door. Any one replaced them, I assume it should be easy, but what did you use as replacements, and no do not want to go the harness route.

[beano500]

"They all do that, Sir"

Is this on an incline? Are they getting caught by the hood? Mine do to varying degrees, but with use they have (mostly) behaved themselves.

If you're going for it, though, you might as well go for a decent harness.....

[donatien]

Mine have locked up in the past but they do free themselves again. I think the bible suggests a gentle tap on the mechanism may help if it proves stubborn.

As for not retracting properly I always slip the belt between seat back and headrest; it's then held in place and easy to get at when you next get in.

Dave

[Painey]

Mine do this as well and and it winds me right up. I'd be interested to hear of any changes that can be made to them but I'm not that bothered about fitting a full harness, even if it might make the missus feel safer!!!

[rolfe]

I get fed up with them as I cannot easily get the clip in as its stuck down the side of the seat. It also tries to garrot me when I drive.

[Digga]

They do all do it! Certainly my first Griff (a K reg 4.0) and my current one (S reg 5.0) both do it.

Best solution is to fit a 3 point harness - obviously this is difficult without also having a roll cage - and that solves a number of issues, incluing locating you a bit more securely when you're hooning around.

[DaveM]

On this same subject, anyone find the buckle digs into your ribs/side a lot? I do have the seat as far back as poss but I'm sure it's not totally safe - in an accident it could do my side some real damage.

DaveM

[david beer]

If you want smoother "in and out" place a roller on the uppermost bracket. A plastic pipe with a slit down it and then pushed on so as to act like a roller bearing. Then stick the shinniest black tape to the carpet in the places the belt rubs. Works on my Griff.

[angusfaldo]

There's a fairly simple solution to this.

It is caused because the belt does not pull vertically from the rear mounting when hoisted over the driver. So the rear mounting tends to rotate slightly on its retaining bolt. Once rotated the locking mechnism keeps cutting in and trapping the belt.

Go behind the seat and check the horizontal levelling of the winder bracket. You should be able to (with a bit of effort) spin it until it is properly horizontal. It may only need to rotate a few millimetres. That should fix it.

This problem drove me nuts in my Griff until Dave Batty showed me this.

[johno]

Just had to fit a new passenger side belt as the old broke and spent most of the time lining the vertical up exactly ... works a treat. It really is the only thing you can do....

[julianhj]

And there was me thinking mine were just a bit worn!

'They all do that sir' Naturally! Should have thought of that first, really...

[No 1]

Another tip for getting them to retract better is to spray a cloth with polish (I use Mr Sheen), pull the belt out as far as it will go and then wipe the belt with the cloth. I've a mate who used to do this with his MX-5 and said it always worked. I was a little dubious initially, but it does actually work.

I just hope the polish isn't damaging the belt!

[beano500]

angusfaldo said: There's a fairly simple solution to this....
....This problem drove me nuts in my Griff until Dave Batty showed me this.

Angus

That man has a solution for everything!!!....