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I'm going through a similar process on my c209 and have almost removed the seatbelt from the car. There's just one thing left, which is the little green connector.
Does that twist off, pull off, is there some sort of clip, is there a particular direction that it should be removed?
As this thread is form 2016, I'll added a photograph to add detail to my explanation. Thanks
But is all that really necessary? My seat belt was very slow to retract (and sometimes it didn't retract without a lot of help), and all I did was clean it with cleaner/degreaser (a product similar to Simple Green), let it dry, and then sprayed some silicone lubricant on it. It works amazing now.
nkx1: I tried washing the belt previously, but that didn't solve the problem - but definitely worth a try!
Coruscator: Yes, that's about right. I pulled/slid the grey tab out which allowed me to get a small screwdriver under the orange clip and remove that. Once the orange tab is off, the green connector is free to lift off upwards. Good point on the battery - although in my case the car hasn't moved for a couple of months so the battery is flat. Seat belt now out of the car and will be sent off for repair this week. Thank you very much for taking the time to share the process you went through earlier in this thread - that was a big help!
Anyone have a video of removing the rear panel (covering the seat belt mechanisms) on a CLK-350? Looking at some instructions but I'm afraid to poke and pull at this or that to remove the panel.
JayDV - I've just done this with my 2004 CLK 2.7 ...no video I'm afraid. Like you, I couldn't find anything online for the lower panel.
What I did was essentially loosen off almost everything that overlapped the lower panel. That means pulling up the door sill trim. Taking off the rear seat (bottom padded section, which flips up - 4 x bolts only). Loosening the padded section of the seat which is attached to the side (not the seat upright that folds forwards). Removed the lower chrome rail that the seat belt attaches to (shown still attached below). Once I did that, I had enough space to ease the panel out and forwards a little. I didn't remove the panel, just made enough space to access the seat belt.
Here's a couple of pictures that show work-in-progress:
But is all that really necessary? My seat belt was very slow to retract (and sometimes it didn't retract without a lot of help), and all I did was clean it with cleaner/degreaser (a product similar to Simple Green), let it dry, and then sprayed some silicone lubricant on it. It works amazing now.
My problem is that I have to replace the “clicking” gear. Otherwise the seat belt has no issues with retracting i e it’s not a cleaning problem.
I have ave to take the panel off to access the gear.
Thanks for the pics and the description. Very useful. But, I must admit, I got cold feet when I tried to pop off the door sill! Tried to pry it up with a flathead screwdriver and it made all sorts of crackling noises like I was breaking some plastic fasteners. Decided to save the project for another day. Maybe a 6-pack of beer will give me courage to be a little more aggressive!!!
Hi Guys, my front drivers side seat belt stopped retracting a week ago, so after some bloody knuckles and a bit of swearing I managed to remove the seat belt unit to try and wind it up. On further inspection there is no tension whatsoever, and winding it back up didn't really change anything. Because that didn't work I removed the plastic re-tractor (which I assume houses the spring) in order to find a replacement. Or at least have the chance of working on it on my own time. Can anyone tell me a part number or where (in the UK) I might be able to find a replacement? If now, how difficult is it to open it and rewind the spring???
Thanks, esp for reference to detailed video! - have that problem w/ my 2008 CLK350 - will give it a try next time I' m out in the country (not convenient here in NYC )
My CLK350 will appreciate being in topnotch like new condition again Mercedes CLK350 coupe - revisiting its mothership Benz dealer in Bayside NY where the first and second owner (certified pre owned) bought it from. I'm the third owner, now Feb 2022 30,000 miles
Update 6/2022: I had the car detailed hoping it would clean the belt - NOT. So I tried the hot wash soak and overnight dry - IT WORKED like a charm. There were a lot of dirt in the water, I can only presume the detailing shop used harsh chemicals that left similar amounts of junk on the belt. Thank you all who posted the answer!
Last edited by Xavier-NYC; Oct 16, 2022 at 11:16 AM.
Reason: Updating: results of cleaning that belt
Currently I drive: 2007 S550, 2009 ML350 and 2004 CLK320.
Originally Posted by whatuser
Hi Guys, my front drivers side seat belt stopped retracting a week ago, so after some bloody knuckles and a bit of swearing I managed to remove the seat belt unit to try and wind it up. On further inspection there is no tension whatsoever, and winding it back up didn't really change anything. Because that didn't work I removed the plastic re-tractor (which I assume houses the spring) in order to find a replacement. Or at least have the chance of working on it on my own time. Can anyone tell me a part number or where (in the UK) I might be able to find a replacement? If now, how difficult is it to open it and rewind the spring???
I know its been a few years. How did you end up solving the problem?
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W209 Poor seat belt tnesion/ retraction
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