Hello everyone,
This is my first post. I thought it would be useful in warning anyone and guiding anyone who wants to change their seat belts for a
987.1
.
My seat belts as no longer retracting so I decided to replace them. I figured since I am going to replace them why not change the color while I am at it.
I order these seat belts from eBay (
EBay Link
). I thought they were cheap but I decided to give it a try.
Of course when they arrived I thought they looked fine until I went to go through the hassle to remove the old stock seat belts and install these.
They are
NOTHING
like the stock. They are cheap and are super unsafe! There isn't anywhere to plug the electronic cable for the seat belt to lock in case of an accident.
What's worst is that their compatibility list said it was compatible with my Cayman. How are they allowed to sell these?
The good thing is that I learned how to remove the seat belt so in the future it is going to be much easier to swap out.
I took photos of the removal if anyone is interested they are below.
PULL TOP CAP OFF
REMOVE 17MM BOLT
SLIDE SEAT BELT OUT
USE PLASTIC PANEL TOOLS TO PULL CARPET FROM THE SIDE THEN GRAB AND PULL
THERE ARE A FEW CLIPS AND SCREWS THAT WILL PREVENT THE TOP OF THE PANEL FROM COMING LOOSE.
FIRST ONE:
TWO:
T20 TORX SCREW #1
Sensitive content, not recommended for those under 18
Show Content
T20 TORX SCREW #2
ONCE ALL CLIPS AND SCREWS ARE REMOVED YOU CAN PULL THE PANEL OUT
LASTLY DISCONNECT THE SWITCH AND REMOVE THE T40 TORX SCRE UNDERNEATH THE SEAT BELT
The differences between stock and crappy ebay ones.
GTK. Thank you for the post!
Not sure how or why they are allowed to sell unsafe items.
If you still have your old belts you can send them to the company below to have them repaired and rewebbed to change the color. I had them reweb mine and they turned out excellent. The turn around was quick too. I wouldn't trust my life to cheap eBay belts. Get samples first so you can choose the perfect color.
Seat Belt Repair Service | Airbag Module Reset - Safety Restore - Safety Restore
Safety Restore is the world's leader in post-accident restorations specializing in seat belt repairs, airbag modules reset, and webbing replacements.
www.safetyrestore.com
Awesome. Thank you for the info!!
Your welcome. The color I ended up choosing was not on their website. I called and told them the car it was for and the guy helping me suggested it.
Luckily mine came with the factory red seat belt option so I don't have to go through this!
@ModernFx
- thanks for the comprehensive 1st post! Very impressive!
The cable you felt locked the belt in an accident has another function - it's the pyrotechnic pre-tensioner control circuit. In any modernist German car - the seatbelts not only lock, they tighten up in the case of an accident. They use a small electrically triggered pyrotechnic (aka bomb) to do that. The belts you bought didn't have that and trying to use them would trigger a fault in the passive-restraint system (airbags, belts, etc..) and a dashboard warning. That's part of the reason our seatbelts cost what they do.
You're right - they shouldn't be listed for any of the German cars they're listed for.
Pretty sure you already evaluated this option but there are a number of providers that will replace the webing on your OEM seatbelts.
For example, a vet owned business in the USA that will reweb your seatbelts.
Professional Seat Belt Repair Services for Webbing & Buckles
Discover professional seat belt repair services at Seatbelt Planet, specializing in webbing replacements and buckle repairs to ensure your safety.
www.seatbeltplanet.com
Great write-up, thanks!
Planning to use this company. They simply sew in new belts and return them to you. OEM retraction (whatever it's called) is maintained.
Custom-Colored Seat Belt Replacement | MyAirbags
If you want a colorful seat belt that matches your car or your personality, order new seat belt webbing from MyAirbags today! We use 100 percent OEM parts and offer a 24 hour turnaround.
www.myairbags.com
Thank you all very much appreciate all the comments and information.
