Weak seat belt return.

[ARMc]

Both my vans have really weak seatbelt return. I'm always closing it in the door... I did a brief search here and found little. Is there a simple spring or part to replace in these or is it the whole unit? Anyone tackled this minor annoyance without spending the 120$ each on new ones?

[Corwyn]

Its a flat coil spring inside the casing. If you open it . . . SPROING! You'll get cut up. You can buy replacements online from GW. I just toss mine in behind me when I get out.
_________________
'90 White Westy ("The Longship")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja

"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~

[ARMc]

Ho hum. Well thanks for saving me from a trip to the hospital.

[Altoona]

Pull the belt all the way out, wipe it down with a mild soapy solution (I like a little Woolite in warm water) and let dry completely. Now unscrew and clean the metal retention bar behind the galley (if you have a full camper). Clean the gunk off this bar and polish it up.

Doing this will work wonders on the action of the belt.

[Californio]

Brand new GW seat belts are weak too. Just the design I guess.

[Red Beard]

I took the plastic housing off mine and saw that there was a twist or two in the belt inside the housing, making the diameter of the roll so large it was dragging on the housing---->weak seatbelt return. I pulled it all the way out slowly, then slowly let it rewind while correcting the twists. Works great now.

[BCWesty]

Spray some silicon spray on the belt. Works good.