Talk Morgan Forums Thread Like Summary - Inertia seat belt stuck, 2001 +8

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

I feel it's important to use these small niche artisans who can repair stuff on Classics, it's becoming a dying art & we need to support them

Update: after a lot of fiddling and cursing we finally managed to undo the holding bolt today. I then unbolted the cabin anchor point and belt guide on the seat, and fed the whole lot back through the bulkhead. Even feeding the seat belt clip through required a lot of jiggling, but it went eventually.

I then rang FDTS Ltd, (West Byfleet) as recommended by others on this forum. Sue was AMAZINGLY helpful, and advised that they could fit a replacement retractor to my existing unit, as apparently MMC don't now supply one that fits the space available. She even sent pictures of the replacement, and how to dismantle the old one. Emboldened by her information as to which side housed the main spring (do not open!!) I prised off the opposite side cover and inspected the ratchet mechanism. There was no obvious problem with wear or dirt, but the operation of the ball-bearing lock ratchet was very intermittent.

I therefore posted off the whole kit to FDTS, and they will refurb it for £35 +vat. I completely concur with other TM posters that FDTS are the go-to company for any seat belt issues, good old-fashioned service by knowledgeable and really pleasant people.

Apparently fitting it back in will be an interesting challenge, but that's another story.