Inertia Reels that Won't Reel

Got my seats and belts for the HiJet, but I'm having a problem with the inertia reels for the front set of seats. Neither will release more than about an inch of belt, no matter how gentle you are. I installed one to see if there was some sort of interlock that needed to mesh with the bodywork, but it's just the same. I can't even get enough belt to reach the top anchor point! Anyone have any ideas?

I fitted some rear belts to my wifes MK2 escort and had a similar problem I found they would only work at the right angle, some times my MK3 belts in the back jam if I park on a certain angle of hill. I haven't looked at the rear belts but as most look the same have you got the front ones and not the middle row as they come out at angle and not dead up like the front and lastly they are obviously wound right in so may have jammed with having to much belt in the reel.

They're definitely the rear ones - they come out at an angle as you describe. The reel will move half an inch; it's not like the situation I had where I overwound a ratchet strap and got it jammed. I don't know whether these have a pendulum clutch as well as a centrifugal one, but if so, they'd only work on the correct side, wouldn't they?

Yes, I seem to remember having to mess around and I think one of mine I even had upside down to get it unwound.

An extended period of wiggling things around reveals that they DO reel, and it appears I did put the wrong one on the wrong side. They're very sensitive to angle, so I reckon I'll go park in a really flat place to instally them

That'll be why, you don't need to install them in an overly flat place, but putting them on the right side of the van helps alot!!

Have you ever taken apart an inertia seat belt mechanism? It will all seem so logical afterwards.

I never have! Attempting to hold them at the right angle still made it very tricky. Anyway, I know what tomorrow morning's project is now! Of course, I now need to pick up a piano, so as soon as I've finished fitting and checking them, they'll have to come out again.....

All belts are in, inertia reels working fine, and one seat. Why only one? Because I have my first "silly load" mission; pick up a piano......