All and Aaron,
The Kangol does have flat springs (2 actually) wound into a coil. The
function of this coiled spring appears to be to rewind or retract, the
belt after it is pulled out beyond the necessary length. The tabs on
the end of the springs are not broken. As far as lubricant goes, I'm
not sure what you are talking about. There appears to be no lubricant
within the coil of spring. What would the purpose be; the coil is
either tightened or loosened. Please explain.
Regarding the webbing, it still appears supple and not much different
in color (sun fade) from the portion of the belt that never sees light
(unless you have a large waistline).
Personally, I'd like to replace the spring(s) and the webbing.
Everything including the inertia system seems to be working.
However, I may get anal on myself and replace everything, including
the nuts, bolts and washers.
Jeff
'73 TR6 in Mass.
Subject: RE: Kango Reflex
Author: "Ackley; Aaron T" <ackleya@hq.7arcom.army.mil> at SMTP
Date: 3/24/98 7:10 PM
Well, i may be flamed for this stance but... here goes:
i am not familiar with the internals of the Kangol belts, but i think
they have a flat spring wound around many many times, into a coil?
This should be the rewind spring. The rewind spring is functional in a
crash only in that it holds the belt close to the body, for the inertia
mechanism to catch. These kind of springs are very often used in recoil
starters found on chainsaws and the like.... they almost *never* wear
out. Either the tab on the end that hold the prong in place breaks, or
the lubricant goes. I'm betting on the lube in your case. Try lubing
the areas where the spring touches itself.
As you said, the inerta mechanism is very simple, and not prone to wear.
Clean it up and ensure proper function and it should be OK.
The webbing, on the other hand, should certainly be replaced. You can
probably get it locally and do it yourself for a lot cheaper than any
other option.
Of course, your safety is your concern, and take no unnecessary
risks.......
aaron ackley
72 GT6
> -----Original Message-----
> From: jbonina@nectech.com [SMTP:jbonina@nectech.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 1998 9:13 AM
> To: triumphs@autox.team.net; blang@mit.edu
> Subject: Kango Reflex
>
>
> Latest project: Making sure when I get killed in a crash, my body
>
> stays strapped to the seat. Yes, I'm trying to make the seatbelts
>
> functional.
>
> The problem is that they won't retract much, just a bit. I took
> the
> side covers off and amused myself with that darn clever inertia
> system. Pretty cool and simple. Back to the subject: The spring
> that
> does the recoil seems to have lost it's oomph. What are my
> options?
> Find junkyard springs that still have their oomph? Can I find new
>
> springs to replace them?
>
>
> Last, the brand name on the seatbelt is Kango Reflex. Is this OEM
> or
> after-market? I don't want to kill myself trying to find
> "original"
> after-market replacements.
>
>
> Thanks dudes (and dudettes),
> Jeff
> '73 TR6 in Mass.
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