Reimo 3000 seat seat belts sticking on hills ?!!
- Thread starter Helena
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- reimo variotech 3000
did you solve this? I've been struggling with mine every now and again for the last year or so. Seems all 3 dont release every now and again. let a little retract back in, and you just have less to play with!
Hi no didn’t have any further luck. We mostly notice it when we’re parked on a hill and try to put the belts on. We have to move the van to somewhere more level then it’s ok again!!
Right, I got fed up and dismantled the seat. There is a bearing which locks the belt if it's not completely level, see photos. It seems to be more sensitive to forward and backward than side to side but I think the easiest way to release the belt would be to tilt the seat forward slightly. The belt mechanism needs to be perfectly vertical to release properly, and the seat sits leaning naturally slightly backwards. I'm in two minds. It is removable, and doesn't affect the belt locking in an accident. I can only assume its to ensure the seat its properly in place. Modifying seat belts has alarm bells all over it though! 
Has anyone removed this bearing? or have any information on the consequences?
1. Yes
2. It stops the seatbelt locking.
I took one apart as a kid. As you point out, it is very sensitive front to back. When the van stops urgently, the ball caries on forwards and locks the belt, stopping you from going through the screen.
More recently I dismantled a sticky belt, and found some oxidation on the ratchet part of the mechanism. This lifts when the belt is rapidly moving, again causing it to lock. Cleaned and very lightly lubed made a slight improvement, but I replaced it anyway.
There seems to be a second mechanism for the locking part of the belt, even with the ball disabled, a sharp pull on the belt locks it up. the ball bearing only seems to affect the seat level function, i wonder if its to do with making sure the seat is fully latched in position?
No, it’s to stop your head going through the windscreen. It lifts that black pawl to engage the ratchet on the drum, so any movement on the belt pulls the drum up into the locked position. Pulling out bits of your seatbelt mechanism really isn’t a good idea.
I completely understand the basic function of the seatbelt in an accident, that isn't the point here. I also completely understand that modifying a safety device isn't a good idea. The discussion is about whether the ball bearing (which is not activated by pulling the seat belt at all, that's a different mechanism) is for simply ensuring the seat is latched in position or is for crash protection. As the latch is very flimsy and plastic, I'd be surprised if it was for crash protection.
It’s for crash protection. Whilst it looks flimsy, it is enough to snag the drum, causing it to lift up and engage all the metal ratchet teeth (the other mechanism you mention) that lock it.
I am on my second Reimo seatbelt because they keep locking up irretrievably. I made the mistake first time round of taking off the other side of the mechanism which is the bloody great spring!!! If you do this count yours fingers then throw the mess in the bin and order a new belt from CMC!
Another belt has stuck today so will try and get that fixed when the rain stops
Is there any rotational adjustment?
On another car I had to adjust (rotate the mechanism slightly) them so that they sat perfectly vertical whilst in the car or I had the same issue locking up for no reason.
I know I’m resurrecting an old thread here @monkeytrumpet but how the heck did you get to the seatbelt? My belts are sticking and not snapping back into place. I’ve 2 brand new complete Reimo replacements but went to take the seat cover off to do this and got completely stuck!
Did you have to unbolt the belts from the bottom and then remove the seat back to then remove the cover?
Also, my belts seem to be covered by a metal tin plate which is pop riveted on!
Any insight you can share would be greatly appreciated!
From memory there is a metal plate but the spool can be removed with a coupe of bolts behind it. It wasn't obvious, but it is possible. I did have to remove large sections of the seat back. I never did fully resolve the issue, nowadays I release the seat back latch and pull it upright until it releases, or move the van around so it's facing the other way on the hill.
I have some experience of other safety orientated, intertia activated, body arresting devices. All warranty is void is void if the mechanism is opened by a non-approved person.
IMO absolute madness doing a DIY investigation of a seat belt arrestor mechanism.
IMO absolute madness doing a DIY investigation of a seat belt arrestor mechanism.
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