Seat Belt Retractor Safety

["Graydon D. Stuckey" <74031.1206@compuserve.com>]

All,

<<I was considering trying to lubricate the retractor.  Does anyone know if this
is effective/safe/possible?  For safety's sake, should I just replace the
retractor?>>

	As an automotive seat engineer I would have to recommend that you replace
the retractor with a new, dealer, piece.  It might be possible to lubricate the
catch, but the inertial latch mechanism may be disrupted by lube, possibly
reducing its effectiveness in some situations.  If you do decide to lube it,
then study its workings very carefully and try to make sure that the mechanism
will work properly in a crash.  I am not a strong believer in airbags, but I
strongly believe in good, properly attached, seat belts as the most effective
restraint in a crash situation.

Later,
Graydon D. Stuckey
GDS Racing
4081 Sheraton Drive,
Flint, MI 48532
(810) 733-0255
FAX   733-7383
74031,1206@compuserve.com