Retracting seatbelt

[Handonam]

A friend and I have this similar problem, and i figured it was a common problem within the 96 EK civic HB (maybe civics in general. The seatbelts aren't strong enough to retract.

What should we do to let the seatbelt retract a bit better?

 

[1337 | RCE]

I just pull it out a little and straighten it out to guide it back into the coil. just became habit.

 

[Zenray]

Yea guess it is common but i have never really thought about it, just do it

 

[NOFX]

I've seen a few Civics do this. Not mine, but some other ones. From what I've seen, it appears to be usually caused by a twist in the seatbelt. A twist in the seatbelt is actually dangerous too and each twist can make it more likely you will be injured in a crash.

I'd recommend getting it fixed.

Automobile Safety Tips

These safety instructions for drivers and passengers in a vehicle where provided by Attorney Gordon Johnson:


1. Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat back reclined. Sitting in an excessively reclined position can be dangerous. You could slide under the seatbelt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt would apply force at the abdomen and neck. This could result in serious or even fatal injuries.

2. Never store loose items in the rear window or in the vehicle in general, they could cause injury in a collision.

3. Make sure your lapbelt is snug against your hips, not your abdomen. The shoulder portion should be located as close to the middle of your shoulder and should not touch your neck.

4. Pregnant women should position the seatbelt as low across the hips as possible, with the shoulder portion correctly adjusted to avoid contact with the abdomen.

5. Never wear the shoulder belt under your arm, against your neck or off your shoulder. In a crash, your body would move too far forward. That would increase the chance of head and neck injuries. The belt would also apply too much force to the ribs and abdomen, which could severely injure internal organs such as your liver or spleen.

6. Belts should never be worn twisted. In a crash, you wouldn’t have the full width of the belt to take impact forces. The twisted belt against your body could cause injuries.

7. When driving a vehicle with airbags:
* Wear your seatbelt correctly, snugging up the lapbelt by pulling on the shoulder portion.
* Adjust your seat rearward as far as possible, still permitting proper operation of vehicle controls. This is important to both driver and front passenger.
* Do not lean with your head or chest close to the steering wheel or dashboard.
* Keep hands on the outside of the steering rim. Placing hands and arms inside the steering rim can increase the risk and potential severity of hand/arm injuries when the airbags inflate.
* Never allow a child under the age of twelve to ride in the front seat, unless your vehicle is equipped with a system which deactivates the passenger side airbag. Make sure the child sitting in the rear seat has a proper positioning of the restraints. If the child is too small to wear a seatbelt correctly, use an approved booster seat or carseat. When using a carseat, follow manufacturers’ instructions on tethering the seat.
* Remember that airbags do not deploy in some situations, so it is important to wear seatbelts. The type of crashes in which an airbag would not deploy include some frontal impacts, angled impacts, roll-overs, some side impacts, rear collisions and other accidents without sufficient forces.
* Airbags are designed for a one-time use only and must be replaced once deployed. In that event, it is important to examine the integrity of the seatbelts as well.

8. Don't drink and drive, it is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents that often lead to brain injuries or death.

 

[cvcc]

Seatbelts tend get filthy- sweat, dirt, and general waxy buildup. Clean all parts including rubbing down the a length of your belts with warm soapy water.

Also, if you are the original owner of the vehicle, Honda will replace the defective units no charge.

 

[NOFX]

Judging by most of the ages in this thread, if anyone here ownes at least a 6th gen Civic, then they're not the original owner.

I've heard that they'd replace them anyway, but I've never tested that theory.

 

[Handonam]

Does anyone know any DIY for htis?

 

[NOFX]

Seatbelts tend get filthy- sweat, dirt, and general waxy buildup. Clean all parts including rubbing down the a length of your belts with warm soapy water.

Also, if you are the original owner of the vehicle, Honda will replace the defective units no charge.

Actually, isn't it recommended that you never wash your actual seatbelts in the event that you use a cleaner that can damage the fiber of the belt? Therefore leading the belt to become weaker or even break.

As for a DIY though, you're probably going to have to remove the panels form around the belt mounting, remove the belt mounting, and then untwist the belt from there. Then reassemble.

 

[Beelzebubba]

Mine are clean and untwisted, just the retractor is worn . They still lock when pulled sharply.

I think Honda is obligated to replace them for a period of time....mine are 11 years old now though so I am not expecting a miracle.

 

[rexxxgirl]

* Keep hands on the outside of the steering rim. Placing hands and arms inside the steering rim can increase the risk and potential severity of hand/arm injuries when the airbags inflate.

I never thought about this til mh hand got ripped and broken. DO IT!!!

 

[bunbohue]

my 93 hatch does that too. it doesn't retract all the way until i have to straighten it out. you guys think honda will actually replace it? maybe i should drop by and check it out...