Ive noticed that the drivers side seatbelt is slower than normal to retract and sometimes doesn’t go all the way back into holder is there a quick fix for this or do i have to replace the belt and mechanism i have seen online people using a silicon lubrication spray does this work or am i looking at getting a new belt and retractor .
Check out this thread -
https://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/yaf_postst105417_Lazy-seat-belt-modification.aspx
Very common, it seems all MK3’s suffer this.
There’s a modified seat belt guide (fitted as standard from about 2009 onwards), which can help slightly.
And also cleaning the webbing helps. But when I say clean, i don’t mean a half hearted rub down with a sponge, I mean a good soaking in a bucket of mild soapy water and a good squeezing of the webbing to rid any dirt, grease or contaminent build up. Spend 10 minutes or more washing the belt, another 10 minutes rinsing it, and maybe even a dry off with an old towel inbetween, until you no longer see dirt on the towel.
Also following the thread posted by Roadie (above) may help, although personally, whilst I was happy to shave off a little from the plastic guide, I’m not happy to hammer the seatbelt post
Combine all 3 and you’ll probably find that the belt will be as it should.
Oh and don’t use silicone spray, it’s short lived, and probably ultimately introduces more contaminants