Has anybody come up with a fix for this problem
mk3 ???
Assuming from profile it’s an early mk3, in which case a quick search should find you what you need. Basically wash the belt then “dress” the guide on top of the seat.
i did mine and for an hour or so job it makes a huge difference. Not quite like a new car but just so much better than how it was.
i also noticed mx5parts are offering modified guides. Maybe this is an alternative to modifying the standard ones??
In short no.
I’ve tried all manner of fixes to no avail so they stay as is. Just remember to throw the belts back on the seat before you close the door they annoyingly trap in the door jamb otherwise.
I just cleaned the drivers side belt in a bucket of water and car shampoo to see if it helped.
It does retract a bit better now for sure, so I will do the passenger side one as well.
Has anyone got a picture of the “dressed” guide as I may try this as well.
Regards
Rob
This was a useful thread on trimming the guides. Some pics gone but still a link in there somewhere to a visual.
When cleaning the webbing important to give it a thorough scrubbing to ensure that all contaminants removed. Just wiping off is not going to remove enough to thin the material.
Fitting new seat top guides and washing the belt fixed mine by about 90% efficiency.
I have an idea to increase the belt tension, but I need an old belt to prove my theory.
4 years or more I’ve been waiting for a willing volunteer.
Did the washing trick and fitted the modified (Mk3.5/3.75) guides from MX-5 Parts and this helped some.
What helped much more was applying some silicone spray around the opening from where the belt emerges from the reel. This is behind the plastic panel behind the seats - no need to remove it completely, just remove the top and side trims and the pop out the fasteners down the outside edge and pull forward enough to get at the reel.