Seat belt (US safety belt) noob question in 1979 250 (euro) W123.

[bm_mode]

Hi all. Just bought my first MB yesterday - a W123 1979 250 sedan. Needs a few things done on it so, but the most urgent is the seatbelt on the driver's seat. The socket no longer accepts the belt. Do I need to buy a whole new part or can the black plastic casing be pulled apart to service the latch inside? If the casing can be pulled apart, how do I do that?

Thanks for your help.

[mrkozzy]

....what do you mean by US safety belt?

No obvious reason why the 2 parts won't connect, altho I have had similar problem in the past.
I found for all the messing around I did, trying to understand how the problem arose, would've been better spent just replacing the whole belt and buckle.

I'd get on line to some 2nd hand suppliers on the mainland, (Australia) and I think you'll find, a good roadworthy unit, won't be much money at all.
I would guess at $50 to $80 should do it.

I say the mainland because I've shopped online in New Zealand and found the 2nd hand price of merc parts there is exorbitant!..like about 3 time the price here in Oz.
Let me know if you need some addresses.
I am in melbourne.

[t walgamuth]

Have you tried wd40?

Sometimes the latch gets gummed up and alittle oil will do wonders.

[bm_mode]

Thanks.

US 'safety belt' - I put that in because I believe that's the American term for the Anglo "seatbelt' - but I may be wrong. Thanks for the offer of numbers for parts places. I think I've tracked down a good source here though.

I'll give the WD-40 a go when I get home from work - thanks.

Joseph.