Technical question about seat belts???

[Jona]

Does anybody know if there is a difference between a rover seat belt which is labeled 'airbag' on the tag, and a seat belt from an earlier vehicle.
I know the 200 has a pretensioner on the buckle end of the system, but I thought that was to take out the free play as you are thrown forward before the locking mechanism operates.
Any ideas?
Cheers
Mark

[Fast Alan]

Cant answer your Question but in a 96 coupe they pretension and then crack your ribs as I found out,more modern day cars tension initially the relax to stop that happening

[Jona]

Sounds painful.
Don't suppose you know if the relaxing of the tension is controlled by the inertia reel, or the pretensioning cylinder? Makes sense to me that it is the cylinder, but there must be a reason that the belt is identified as 'airbag'.
I ask as I have replaced a damaged driver belt with an old metro belt. As it's driver, it will be used in the event of...
Cheers for response.
Mark