Apologies if this has been discussed before, please redirect me if necessary. My 2001 +8 passenger-side inertia seat-belt is stuck in a semi-retracted position , and will not feed out. It has been temperamental in the past, but now completely stuck. The spool /drum (?) only moves about a quarter of an inch either way. Access, as discussed on previous threads, is tricky, as the unit was obviously bolted on to the ash frame before the body went on. I can get my hand on the drum via the spare-wheel well, and it reluctantly moves a little, but the ratchet (?) will not release. The car is completely level.
I have initially tried to correct the issue in situ, by tapping the unit via a metal rod while jiggling the belt, but to no avail. Perhaps I am tapping the wrong bit, but I dont want to damage the plastic housing? Would it help to attempt to spray silicone lubricant into the unit, via a plastic straw nozzle extension, and if so where should i target, given the current access limitations? I assume the ratchet mechanism is to one side of the belt spool, so the silicone might not reach it?
If that doesn't work, do I need to remove the vertical wooden carpeted bulkhead panel to gain better access, and how is that held in place? I assume that panel can be leaned forwards with the belts still in place (there would be sufficient play in the stuck belt to do this), or will I need to unbolt both seatbelt forward anchorages and feed through in order to remove the panel completely?
I have read that unbolting the inertia unit is very fiddly (bent spanner involved?) so is it possible to rectify the problem without taking it out?
Any advice would be much appreciated!
Cheers, Ashley

Last edited by Ashley; 18/05/25 01:25 PM. Reason: spelling