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Installing and retrofitting LATCH system ""Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (child seat securing system) (USA) > < Assembly overview - rear seat belt (Cabriolet)

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Seat belts - checking
Seat belts - checking
  Caution
After every accident the seat belt system must be inspected systematically! If damage is determined when inspecting the check points, the customer must be informed that a seat belt change is necessary.
Check points:
t  Checking belt webbing
t  Checking belt tensioner (locking mechanism)
t  Visual check of belt buckle
t  Functional check of belt buckle
t  Check belt guide fittings and latch plates
t  Checking securing parts and anchorage points
t  Checking lap belt tensioner
  Note
If customer refuses to have a damaged seat belt renewed, appropriate note should be made.
Checking belt webbing
–  Pull belt fully out of belt tensioner or out of lap belt adjustment tongue.
–  Check belt webbing for soiling, and if necessary wash with a mild soapy solution ⇒Owner's Manual.
l  If either of the types of damage illustrated below (1 and 2) are determined on accident vehicle, renew seat belt complete with belt buckle.
l  If damage as illustrated under points 1, 2 or 3 is determined on a vehicle which has not been involved in an accident, it is sufficient to renew damaged belt only.
   
–  1 – Belt webbing cut, torn or chafed.
  V68-0458
–  2 – Torn webbing loops on belt edge.
  V68-0459
–  3 – Burn marks from cigarettes or similar.
Checking belt tensioner (locking mechanism)
The belt inertia reel has two locking functions.
t  The first locking function is triggered by the belt being jerked out of reel (belt extraction acceleration).
Checking
–  Pull belt out of inertia reel with firm jerk.
l  Will not lock - renew seat belt complete with buckle.
l  If difficulties are experienced when belt is extended or retracted, first check whether position of inertia reel has been altered.
l  The second locking function is triggered by a change in vehicle speed (vehicle-dependent locking function).
Checking
–  Put on seat belt.
–  Accelerate vehicle to 20 km/h and then carry out emergency braking with foot brake.
l  If seat belt is not locked by locking mechanism during braking procedure, renew seat belt complete with buckle.
  Caution
For safety reasons, the road test should be carried out on a traffic-free stretch to ensure that other road users are not endangered.
Visual check of belt buckle.
–  Inspect belt buckle for cracks and chips.
l  If damage is determined, renew seat belt complete with belt buckle.
Functional check of belt buckle
Checking belt buckle:
–  Push latch plate into belt buckle until it engages audibly. Check whether locking mechanism is properly engaged by pulling firmly on belt webbing.
l  If latch plate fails once to engage properly in belt buckle during at least 5 tests, renew seat belt complete with belt buckle.
Checking release mechanism:
–  Release seat belt by pressing button on belt buckle with finger pressure.
When belt is slack, latch plate must spring out of belt buckle on its own.
l  Carry out test at least 5 times. If latch plate fails even once to spring out of buckle, renew seat belt complete with belt buckle.
  Caution
Under no circumstances whatsoever may lubricant be used to eliminate noise or stiffness in belt buckle buttons.
Checking belt guides and latch plates
Plastic-coated fittings show fine, parallel scoring after stress on belt system (when belt was fastened during accident). (On the other hand, wear caused by frequent belt use can be recognised by smooth wear, free of lines).
–  Inspect for deformation, fracturing and cracks in plastic.
l  If scoring and/or damage is determined, renew seat belt complete with buckle.
Checking securing parts and securing points
t  Latch plate deformed (stretched)
t  Height adjuster non-functional
t  Anchorage points (seat, pillars, vehicle floor) distorted or thread damaged
l  If damage is determined on these parts, renew seat belt complete with belt buckle.
l  Replace anchorage points.
  Note
In case of damage resulting not from an accident, but for example, from wear, only the part which is actually damaged need be renewed.
  V68-0460

Installing and retrofitting LATCH system ""Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (child seat securing system) (USA) > < Assembly overview - rear seat belt (Cabriolet)