93 zj seatbelts...

hey all...wondering about the seat belt retractors in my 93 ZJ. For
the life of me I can't get the seatbelt to stop - like you'd want in a
crash - even if I pull out completely I can't get the retractor to
engage...

I think they are shot but wondering if the retracting mechanism engages
differently - I don't know...?

So if I need new retractors is it a hard fix??

thanks much,
c

Curtis wrote:
> hey all...wondering about the seat belt retractors in my 93 ZJ. For
> the life of me I can't get the seatbelt to stop - like you'd want in
> a crash - even if I pull out completely I can't get the retractor to
> engage...
>
> I think they are shot but wondering if the retracting mechanism
> engages differently - I don't know...?
>
> So if I need new retractors is it a hard fix??

There isn't a pull/catch feature on the mechanisim
like there is on some that are made for child seats.


If your trying to test the seatbelts to see if they will hold in
a crash, you have to do that on a really bumpy or fairly steep
downhill trail while applying a bit of body weight to the belts.
The catch mechanisim relies on deceleration like you get in an
emergency stop. It's not much, dropping off a curb can sometimes
make them catch.

Replacing the unit isn't hard, it just takes a big ass star driver
to remove the bolts. And a screwdriver to remove all the cladding
that surrounds the workings.

--
-- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://revbeergoggles.com
HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!

OK I can live without the pull catch for the baby seat as I can use the
middle lap belt - but yes I was trying to see if they would hold in a
crash..

I'll go find some curbs!! Thanks again Doug for the info...

update - I got spooked on swapping out my drier receiver - I could
never get a straight answer if my system was discharged or not - so I
had the shop do it - and now the rig is a friken cooler - wow...

still gotta get those front sway bar bushings - gotta figure out what
size my sway bar is with the V8.

new baby at home so time is limited....

DougW wrote:
> Curtis wrote:
> > hey all...wondering about the seat belt retractors in my 93 ZJ. For
> > the life of me I can't get the seatbelt to stop - like you'd want in
> > a crash - even if I pull out completely I can't get the retractor to
> > engage...
> >
> > I think they are shot but wondering if the retracting mechanism
> > engages differently - I don't know...?
> >
> > So if I need new retractors is it a hard fix??
>
> There isn't a pull/catch feature on the mechanisim
> like there is on some that are made for child seats.
>
>
> If your trying to test the seatbelts to see if they will hold in
> a crash, you have to do that on a really bumpy or fairly steep
> downhill trail while applying a bit of body weight to the belts.
> The catch mechanisim relies on deceleration like you get in an
> emergency stop. It's not much, dropping off a curb can sometimes
> make them catch.
>
> Replacing the unit isn't hard, it just takes a big ass star driver
> to remove the bolts. And a screwdriver to remove all the cladding
> that surrounds the workings.
>
> --
> -- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://revbeergoggles.com
> HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
> Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
> Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!

If your has the inertia reels they will lock when your perform a firm
(quick) stop.

When you are out on a *clear* roadway brake *sharply* from 35 mph or so.
When you feel the deceleration try pulling the seatbelt out. It should grab
and lock and not release until after you come to a complete stop.


"Curtis" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> OK I can live without the pull catch for the baby seat as I can use the
> middle lap belt - but yes I was trying to see if they would hold in a
> crash..
>
> I'll go find some curbs!! Thanks again Doug for the info...
>
> update - I got spooked on swapping out my drier receiver - I could
> never get a straight answer if my system was discharged or not - so I
> had the shop do it - and now the rig is a friken cooler - wow...
>
> still gotta get those front sway bar bushings - gotta figure out what
> size my sway bar is with the V8.
>
> new baby at home so time is limited....
>
> DougW wrote:
>> Curtis wrote:
>> > hey all...wondering about the seat belt retractors in my 93 ZJ. For
>> > the life of me I can't get the seatbelt to stop - like you'd want in
>> > a crash - even if I pull out completely I can't get the retractor to
>> > engage...
>> >
>> > I think they are shot but wondering if the retracting mechanism
>> > engages differently - I don't know...?
>> >
>> > So if I need new retractors is it a hard fix??
>>
>> There isn't a pull/catch feature on the mechanisim
>> like there is on some that are made for child seats.
>>
>>
>> If your trying to test the seatbelts to see if they will hold in
>> a crash, you have to do that on a really bumpy or fairly steep
>> downhill trail while applying a bit of body weight to the belts.
>> The catch mechanisim relies on deceleration like you get in an
>> emergency stop. It's not much, dropping off a curb can sometimes
>> make them catch.
>>
>> Replacing the unit isn't hard, it just takes a big ass star driver
>> to remove the bolts. And a screwdriver to remove all the cladding
>> that surrounds the workings.
>>
>> --
>> -- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://revbeergoggles.com
>> HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
>> Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
>> Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!
>

Curtis wrote:
> OK I can live without the pull catch for the baby seat as I can use
> the middle lap belt - but yes I was trying to see if they would hold
> in a crash..

There is a recall/TSB for the rear seatbelts and baby carrier hold-downs.
Have the dealership check your VIN to see if they have been done.
http://www.automotive.com/1993/12/je...lls/index.html
There is another site but this one works just as well.

http://www.automotive.com/1993/49/je...lls/26835.html


> update - I got spooked on swapping out my drier receiver - I could
> never get a straight answer if my system was discharged or not - so I
> had the shop do it - and now the rig is a friken cooler - wow...

Yep, 93 had a problem with those. Might have been a recall at one point.

> still gotta get those front sway bar bushings - gotta figure out what
> size my sway bar is with the V8.

28mm probably. Hard to tell because they had three sizes. I6, V8 and
towing group. Got my bushing kit at 4wheel parts.
http://revbeergoggles.com/front_antisway/index.html


--
DougW