A method is provided for sealing locking components of a retractor, wherein the locking components cooperate with a spool shaft extending from, and rotatable with, a rotatable spool of the retractor to selectively lock rotation of the spool. The method includes mounting a base of an open-ended housing to the retractor with the spool shaft accessible via an opening in the base when so mounted, positioning a sealing member to extend about and engage a periphery of the opening and to also extend about and engage a periphery of the spool shaft, operatively arranging the locking components within the interior of the housing, and hermetically sealing a cover to the open end of the housing after the housing is mounted to the retractor. The sealing member engages the peripheries of the first opening and the spool shaft and blocks ingress of moisture and particles to the locking components.