Hey Dom. I pretty much tried all that with an equal degree of (not) success. Also replaced the belt guides at the top of the seat with 'improved' NC2 ones. What finally worked best was spraying silicon spray around the point where the belt exits the reel (it's behind the trim to the rear of the seats but you dont have to take the whole thing off - you were nearly there, just pop the trim buttons and pull it forward far enough to see the belt reel). Some people recommend trimming away some of the plastic around the exit of the reel, but I haven't done that. And yes, my drivers door area bears the scars of the previous owner trying to shut it with the belt buckle hanging out...
Not sure if you still have this issue but if you're feeling up to the work you can pull the seatbelt out and then wind the spring a couple of times around more (make sure the seatbelt is as reeled in as you can get it, be careful of the spring jumping out) this will help the seatbelts to retract a lot better. The biggest causes of this is the spring relaxing over time and the increase in friction caused by stuff just wearing down and getting dirty
Same issue with our 2008 NC. After cleaning the seat belts it was better but not that great. After replacing the belt guides with the new design (parts 83 Euro), it was acceptable. Still there was a difference between the right an left seat. The guide mounted with a 10.9 bolt, has a slight different angle causing more friction to the belt. After adjusting the guide, both seat belts are smooth moving into the retractor. So small details can have a big influence.
I have a NC with brown leather interior and it’s funny when I show up anywhere looking super cool with my soft top down but I feel like the entire world is laughing at me when I have to feed my seatbelt back into the retractor before I hop out of the car 😭😂.
Really annoyed that my 06 NC just failed its MOT for this. First time its ever failed and I can't really see why it is a safety issue. I've washed the belt with AutoGlym fabric cleaner and it seems to have improved the performance but will try some furniture polish as well on the guides.
there's another option to the wd40. Wax. the reason the belts stop retracting is the shininess wears off over time. add the sheen back. the wax wont rub off on clothing, and even if it does, you can brush it off.
I drive what I consider the 4 seat MX5 but it is more commonly known as an Mercury Capri XR2 and it too has belt problems but not quite as bad because I can just toss the excess belt in the back seat.
I am rat-ar5ed after playing the 'Mentions Sticky' drinking game. Kudos for attempting the fix though...I agree it is a very annoying fault with the car.
You need to remove the sill section, then the upright, I watched a video from the MX5Restorer, he showed cleaning the roof drain plugs, which is behind the seat belt unit, the seat belt is always fixed to the base of the car, so have a look at there videos, I’ll see if I can get a link for you. The video is called How to unblock your MK3 MX5 roof drains, the uploaded is Lights up Lights Down. I saw you used the trombone method.... this guy was removing a stuck trombone cleaner, I know!
My mot'er told me if my driver's seat eat is as sticky next year, he'll have to fail it. He recommended cleaning with brake cleaner. I'll give it a try but ultimately, I think it's a design fault.
As life problems go, this isnt one that keeps me awake at night🤔🙄😜but I found the solution for me is to shake the seatbelt laterally as you might shake a er 😁🤣 a bit and it kind of finds its way back into place. Cant beat a bit of shaking especially as I can do it in time to the music Im invariably playing as I park my car.🥰I have this down to afine art now 😎 PS I do this before getting out of the car so the seatbelt is in place and out of the way of the door. Grab the top bit and feed it back while shaking it.
I just discovered everyone haas this problem!! I bought an NC three month ago, very happy about it, nice metallic light blue color
Hey Dom. I pretty much tried all that with an equal degree of (not) success. Also replaced the belt guides at the top of the seat with 'improved' NC2 ones. What finally worked best was spraying silicon spray around the point where the belt exits the reel (it's behind the trim to the rear of the seats but you dont have to take the whole thing off - you were nearly there, just pop the trim buttons and pull it forward far enough to see the belt reel). Some people recommend trimming away some of the plastic around the exit of the reel, but I haven't done that. And yes, my drivers door area bears the scars of the previous owner trying to shut it with the belt buckle hanging out...
CJ Lawrenson thanks for the heads up! I think I’ll have to do a part 2 as Dave said!
Not sure if you still have this issue but if you're feeling up to the work you can pull the seatbelt out and then wind the spring a couple of times around more (make sure the seatbelt is as reeled in as you can get it, be careful of the spring jumping out) this will help the seatbelts to retract a lot better.
The biggest causes of this is the spring relaxing over time and the increase in friction caused by stuff just wearing down and getting dirty
I’m sure others will find the information useful, so thank you!
Same issue with our 2008 NC. After cleaning the seat belts it was better but not that great. After replacing the belt guides with the new design (parts 83 Euro), it was acceptable. Still there was a difference between the right an left seat. The guide mounted with a 10.9 bolt, has a slight different angle causing more friction to the belt. After adjusting the guide, both seat belts are smooth moving into the retractor. So small details can have a big influence.
I have a NC with brown leather interior and it’s funny when I show up anywhere looking super cool with my soft top down but I feel like the entire world is laughing at me when I have to feed my seatbelt back into the retractor before I hop out of the car 😭😂.
Steffi Hiew the struggles are real! Haha. Thanks for the comment!
I have the exact same problem... You looking all cool and fine,then seatbelts... :D
Lol yes. Same.
Same issue with an 07. Ordering replacement guides, much more open in later NC models. Going to try the cleaning effort. It is a pain always.
Thanks for the candor LOL, may the wind always be at your back
🙈 I fell for the “heated seat on to keep the bucket warm” for a moment there!
Jack Davies gotcha!
Really annoyed that my 06 NC just failed its MOT for this. First time its ever failed and I can't really see why it is a safety issue. I've washed the belt with AutoGlym fabric cleaner and it seems to have improved the performance but will try some furniture polish as well on the guides.
there's another option to the wd40. Wax. the reason the belts stop retracting is the shininess wears off over time. add the sheen back. the wax wont rub off on clothing, and even if it does, you can brush it off.
what kind of wax please?
wassap yo, coloredinlight just made a video about the seat belt bracket being the issue
Very useful comment. Found the video and plan on switching the part - th-cam.com/video/llRrIFgdYRk/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for sharing!
I drive what I consider the 4 seat MX5 but it is more commonly known as an Mercury Capri XR2 and it too has belt problems but not quite as bad because I can just toss the excess belt in the back seat.
Mine does the same
It’s a feature not a fault sir
😂😂😂😂😊😊
cupidstunt22 love it!
I am rat-ar5ed after playing the 'Mentions Sticky' drinking game. Kudos for attempting the fix though...I agree it is a very annoying fault with the car.
Silicone spray, it is then! Less resistance + more frustration?
Mow Cop castle! I'm literally 5 mins away :)
knotnick not mx5 friendly roads up there!
#sticky
You need to remove the sill section, then the upright, I watched a video from the MX5Restorer, he showed cleaning the roof drain plugs, which is behind the seat belt unit, the seat belt is always fixed to the base of the car, so have a look at there videos, I’ll see if I can get a link for you. The video is called How to unblock your MK3 MX5 roof drains, the uploaded is Lights up Lights Down. I saw you used the trombone method.... this guy was removing a stuck trombone cleaner, I know!
th-cam.com/video/ugkaPc4DGfE/w-d-xo.html
My mot'er told me if my driver's seat eat is as sticky next year, he'll have to fail it. He recommended cleaning with brake cleaner. I'll give it a try but ultimately, I think it's a design fault.
Is it an NC1? They re-designed the seatbelt runners for the NC2/3 and they don’t stick. Think they are sold on MX5 parts 👍
Sorry, I should have said, mine is a 2008 Niseko.
spray the points of contact with furniture polish as well
Japanese cars, got a hilux, crud retracting seat belts and upside down stalks. There all the same.
My method works well. Firstly wind the sticky belt back in to place and never use it, job done😂
Hmm the belts stick on my Toyota too. Driver's side is worse. So could be age and dirt build up. Yuck.
Is it me or does this lad sound like Joe Lycett
As life problems go, this isnt one that keeps me awake at night🤔🙄😜but I found the solution for me is to shake the seatbelt laterally as you might shake a er 😁🤣 a bit and it kind of finds its way back into place. Cant beat a bit of shaking especially as I can do it in time to the music Im invariably playing as I park my car.🥰I have this down to afine art now 😎 PS I do this before getting out of the car so the seatbelt is in place and out of the way of the door. Grab the top bit and feed it back while shaking it.
Actually, the problem exists on my 2015.
Waaaaay too much talk. Could have been reduced to three minutes and with a warning all methods used were fails.
Please, please try to find some less obnoxious music. Thank you.
dude please talk in a normal voice your target audience is not primary school kids Just saying