Rear Seatbelt (touring) has stopped retracting.

[Morat]

Folks,
is there an easy fix for this? Or a hard one? I need this belt to work so I can fix a child seat in there (with child!) so no half measures....
Am I going to have to get a new belt from BMW?
Cheers,
Morat

[daimlerman]

Cheapest bet would be a replacement s/h belt from a breaker.

Easy nut and bolt job to swap over.

[Morat]

Hmm, something makes me a bit wary of second hand seatbelts. Am I being paranoid?
Also "easy nut and bolt job" to you, how much of a mission to me?

[daimlerman]

Your seatbelt will have a broken internal spring to it's ratchet mech,not a DIY type repair.
I would fit a s/h belt,what you fit is your choice.

To fit either new or s/h you will need to access the reel by removing the rear seat side bolster(one 10mm bolt at it's lower end)then slide it upwards.Unbolt the reel(one 17mm bolt,I think),unbolt the upper mounting on the pillar(17mm,but you need to pull the plastic cover off first )and the lower 17mm bolt.Take note of where and how spacers and washers are fitted on all mounting points,as these allow fittings to swivel as needed.

Of course,you could always mount the child seat at the other side of the car.....

[Morat]

Thanks for the explanation Malc
Child seat is on the driver's side for now, but you can imagine what the legroom is like!
Time for the magic 17mm socket to come out then, the socket with the blood and tears on it

Are all E30 rear belts the same? Not handed, or different for tourings?

[daimlerman]

Seatbelts are handed,but I'm not sure if the touring is different to saloon...one of the parts sites will give an answer.

[Morat]

I've ordered a replacement belt, and this morning I went out to the car and the current belt had magically decided to retract! I pulled it out again and it was back to normal. A bit slack, but perfectly workable.
Hey ho, I'll keep the spare "in stock".