Functional Test Procedure

Determine the type(s) of safety belt assembly(s) that has been replaced. Then functionally test the new safety belt assembly using the appropriate procedure.

NOTE: If the retractor of a new lap safety belt assembly has been bolted into a damaged or distorted mounting area, the new retractor could be warped and may not function. If this is the case, reshape the sheet metal back to its original shape and structural integrity and install another new complete lap safety belt assembly.

Continuous Loop Shoulder/Lap Safety Belt Test—System with Movable Tongue and One Retractor

1. Driver will buckle up and proceed to a safe test area. If the RH front or rear passenger belt must be tested, a passenger should be buckled into the RH front or rear seat. (The RH front passenger belt may be tested using a driver only, providing the driver has the ability to grasp the RH front shoulder belt and extend it approximately 660.4mm (26 inches) with no compromise to safe driving.) This method applies to the 8 km/h (5 mph) test only.

   NOTE: The RH front and rear shoulder belt is not extended fully to preclude the possibility of a false feeling (full extension vs. lockup).

2. After reaching a safe area to perform sudden stops, the driver will attain a speed of approximately 8 km/h (5 mph). The driver should inform the passenger (if applicable) that he is preparing to make a severe brake application. At this time, both driver and passenger should grasp their respective shoulder harness and prepare to lean slightly forward at the moment the brake application is made.

3. The driver will make a maximum brake application (approximately 9.75 m/sec² (32 ft/sec²) without tire skid. (The maximum brake application should be on dry concrete or equivalent hard road surface, never on a wet or gravel road.) The driver and passenger should lean forward slightly into the shoulder harness. At this instant, the belts should lock up without webbing payout.

    WARNING: THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER MUST BE PREPARED TO BRACE THEMSELVES IN THE EVENT THE RETRACTOR DOES NOT LOCK.

4. If there is a lockup of both shoulder straps, the safety belt assemblies are functioning properly. Should either or both retractors fail to lock up at the 8 km/h (5 mph) speed, repeat the test at a constant 24 km/h (15 mph). (This test must be performed with a RH front or rear passenger if the RH front or rear belts are to be tested.)

5. If either or both shoulder belts do not lock up at the 24 km/h (15 mph) test, return the vehicle for service of the malfunctioning safety belts. Remove the retractor and rework the sheet metal in the retractor's mounting surface back to its original shape and structural integrity. Install the retractor assembly and test the safety belt assembly(s).

   NOTE: If the retractor of a new safety belt assembly has been bolted into a damaged or distorted mounting area, the new retractor could be warped and may not function. If this is the case, reshape the sheet metal back to its original shape and structural integrity and install another new complete safety belt assembly.