Our 2000 E320 just got both front seal belt mechanisms (the ones in the B pillar) replaced. The drivers' side had already been replaced in 2005. The only indication of a problem is a whining sound when pulling the seat belt out.
Dealer indicated we shouldn't just live with the noise, as it was coming from inside the mechanical housing and could indicated a dangerous issue. The replaced at no charge. No view on what the actual issue was.
Interesting information, thank you for posting this.
My driver's side mechanism has been whining for some time, I'll be calling the dealer on Monday to see what's up with that. There's certainly no recall on it so maybe it's one of those quiet TSB things.
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
__________________ If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice. Meister Eckhart
When you learn from your own mistakes, that's experience.
When you learn from the mistakes of others, that's wisdom.
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Thanks for highlighting.
Did your dealer elaborate on the implications of the said dangerous issue?
No elaboration, and I didn't have time to get to the bottom of it. However, after I said I could live with the sound, they were quite insistent that the location of the noise was coming from meant it could very well be a safety concern and I shouldn't ignore it. As noted they didn't have an economic incentive to say that.
I asked them to check the rear seat belts and they are OK now and never had a problem before either.
Interesting information, thank you for posting this.
My driver's side mechanism has been whining for some time, I'll be calling the dealer on Monday to see what's up with that. There's certainly no recall on it so maybe it's one of those quiet TSB things.
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
Did you talk to the dealer? Any update that might be relevant to the forum at large? Thanks,
.. don't know if this will help, but I had my belt replaced during warrantee due to the high pitched squeal when pulling the belt out. The new one was quiet for a couple months, but the squeal came back, particularly in cooler weather. I saw an article in another car blog about a similar problem. The cure was to take off the plastic cover and grind off a bit of the inside plastic reinforcment so the belt did not touch it on its way through. It was vibrating like a violin bow on a string.. I have not gone in to make the fix, mainly becuase I'm not sure how the trim clips in, but it sure sounds like a logical approach. The noise is not mechanical- it's a screach.
Hey, stebet, just wanted to extend a welcome to you from the forum. Please take a minute to complete your online profile re: vehicle and location, which can be quite useful.
Thanks for the tip on the squeal, I've been to bother with mine to see if the stealer would do them for free. But if it's going to come back what would be the point?
Potentially dangerous seat belt issue 
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