Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: MAK on Sunday,April 20, 2025, 11:26:39 AM
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I am sure this not any easy fix - my retractable driver's seatbelt no longer retracts, it is all the way out, so it will look like I'm wearing it - avoid a ticket.
To make it even better I can't move the driver's seat forward, I think it's all the way back, which fits me just fine.
In an accident I don't think the seatbelt is going to save my hide, but it's better than nothing.
How do I fix? Or leave it alone?
I already know that most of the rubber bushings in the front & rear suspension need to be replaced, I am beginning to feel like a Europa owner. Hahaha
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My own fix will be proper "Racing" lap and shoulder belts.
No retraction reel to worry over.
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I used Ssnake-Oyl (https://www.ssnake-oyl.com/) to do my belts. At the time, they only did rewebbing for cars that had retractors they couldn't repair. I don't know if they fix old Europa retractors now, it's been 25 years so they might). If they can't help, our own Lotus Joe says he got his retractors rebuilt in this thread: https://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=2783.msg26825#msg26825
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54's have non retractable belts. I prefer them as you can keep them tight enough and really snug them when needed but they aren't the hassle of a 4 point.
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thanks guys - I've read all the posts on who fixes them, rewebbing etc. but how do I take it off to send out to get fixed
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The bolt holding the re-tractor box to the rear bulkhead normally rusts and is a real bitch to get undone. Ditto the bolts holding the belt end holder to the central tunnel and the other bolt holding the belt to the outer sill. They both rust where they go through the bobbin built into the fibreglass.
I have removed and re-fitted 14, and it is not something to look forward to.
Soak well with WD 40. Good luck.
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My TCS's driver side seat belt doesn't retract either. Passenger side functions well but that is little use for the driver! Shame on me I let it go until just last week and finally ordered 2 static seat belts from Lotus Supplies. They should arrive this week.
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The UK cars had static belts and a while ago I decided to change them for intertia reel ones. Joji kindly posted some shots of how the Federal cars had them fitted to give me some idea of how to go about it and this thread should give an idea of how they come apart.
https://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=874.msg6460#msg6460 (https://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=874.msg6460#msg6460)
And that led on to the discovery of how little metal was left in the lower sill mount for the belts.....
https://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=883.msg6539#msg6539 (https://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=883.msg6539#msg6539)
which is something others have also found but I suppose it depends on the climate where the car has lived, but still worth a check.
Brian